Skip to main content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Rules and Regulations Library

Rules Regulations Library

Document Type Title and Description Category
Open Letter 2011 - August - Nevada - All FFLs - Concealed Firearm Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 109.38 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to advise all Nevada federal firearms licensees that Nevada's Concealed Firearm Permit qualifies as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - August - All FELs - September 11 Anniversary [PDF - 59.77 KB]

This open letter is to encourage federal explosives licensees to exercise increased awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11 approaches. The security of your explosives' storage sites is very important.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Ruling 2011-4 - Pistols Configured from Rifles; Rifles Configured from Pistols [PDF - 82.73 KB]

Unassembled parts and configurations of parts of pistols, rifles, handguns or other weapons that result in a firearm as defined under the NFA, 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); and 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - July - All FELs - Distribution to and Receipt of Explosive Pest Control Devices [PDF - 168.65 KB]

This letter provides information regarding the distribution to and receipt of explosives for pest control and mitigation purposes by states or their political subdivisions.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Ruling 2011-3 - Alternate Locks Authorized for Explosives Magazines [PDF - 97.6 KB]

ATF authorizes alternate use of hidden-shackle "hockey puck" locks, recessed padlocks, and padlocks with boron alloy shackles to secure explosives magazines, provided all of the requirements stated of this ruling have been met.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2011 - June - Iowa - Transferring a Firearm to an Unlicensed Person Using an Iowa Permit Alternative [PDF - 108.63 KB]

The open letter provides guidance to all Iowa federal firearms licensees when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person using an Iowa issued permit as an alternative to a NICS background check. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - May - Kansas - All FFLs - National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Requirement Exception [PDF - 109.55 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. This open letter supersedes the document by the same title, posted on April 8, 2010.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - May - All FFLs - Complying with Recordkeeping Requirements When Initial NICS Response Changed [PDF - 101.56 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) on how to comply with recordkeeping requirements when there is a change to the response initially received by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) during a background check for a firearm transfer.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - April - All FELs - Importance of Security When Storing or Transporting Explosive Materials [PDF - 63.71 KB]

In response to continued thefts of vehicles carrying explosive materials along the southwest U.S. border, the ATF reminds all persons holding Federal explosives licenses or permits of the importance of security when storing or transporting explosive materials.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2011 - April - Nebraska - Concealed Handgun Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check [PDF - 109.21 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to advise that ATF has reviewed Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit Act, as amended in 2010 by Legislative Bill 817, and has determined that Nebraska's Concealed Handgun Permit does qualify as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - April - National - Submitting ATF Form 4 or Form 5 [PDF - 93.76 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to any person submitting ATF Form 4, Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of a Firearm, or with ATF Form 5, Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of a Firearm.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2011 - March - All FELs - Exemption of Tribal Display Materials [PDF - 69.28 KB]

This open letter is to all federally recognized Indian tribes and explosives licensees and permittees and provides guidance regarding the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010. The law created an exemption for federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal agencies from provisions of the Federal explosives laws with respect to display fireworks.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Ruling 2011-2 - Locking Requirements for Outdoor Type 5 Bin and Silo Magazines [PDF - 84.19 KB]

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store bulk blasting agents in outdoor type 5 bin or silo magazines without the specified locks provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling have been met.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Ruling 2010-9 - Supporting Documentation for Import Permit Applications [PDF - 34.79 KB]

Persons holding a valid federal firearms license and/or who are registered as importers of articles on the U.S. Munitions Import List importing surplus military defense articles importable as curios or relics, may submit photocopies of the original supporting statements and documents with ATF Form 6, if they certify, under penalties provided by law, that the supporting documentation is true, correct, and complete. 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Ruling 2010-7 - Perforating Gun Storage [PDF - 85.14 KB]

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store loaded perforating guns outside of a locked magazine provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2010 - All FELs - Explosive Pest Control Devices (EPCDs) [PDF - 163.52 KB]

This letter provides information regarding explosive pest control devices (EPCDs). Agricultural, aquacultural, and aviation industries use EPCDs — commonly known as bird bombs or seal bombs — to help protect crops, natural resources, and aircraft from damage by wildlife. 

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Ruling 2010-6 - State of Residence [PDF - 97.66 KB]

For the purpose of acquiring firearms under the GCA, a U.S. citizen who temporarily resides in a foreign country, but also demonstrates the intention of making a home in a particular state, is a resident of the State during the time period he or she actually resides in that state. The intention must be demonstrated to a federal firearms licensee by presenting valid identification documents.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Form State and Local Training Registration Request - ATF Form 6400.1 [PDF - 372.66 KB]

This form is used by federal, state and local, military and international law enforcement personnel applying for training conducted by ATF.

Published/Revised:

Workforce and Mission
Open Letter 2010 - October - National - Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (PACT Act) [PDF - 216.31 KB]

The purpose of this open letter is to provide all State Attorneys General and State Tobacco Tax Administrators with information on amendments to the Jenkins Act. 

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Open Letter 2010 - October - National - PACT Act and Tobacco in Interstate Commerce [PDF - 256.57 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to persons who sell, transfer, or ship for profit cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in interstate commerce or who advertise cigarettes or smokeless tobacco for such sale, transfer, or shipment on amendments to the Jenkins Act. 

Published/Revised:

Alcohol & Tobacco
Ruling 2010-3 - Identification of Maxim Side-Plate Receivers [PDF - 181.89 KB]

The right side-plate of a Vickers/Maxim-type firearm, manufactured with its camming lobe affixed in the proper location, and without an ATF approved block that prevents installation of machinegun fire control components, is a machinegun receiver, and therefore, a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA. Provided it has not been disassembled into its component parts, a complete Vickers/Maxim-type machinegun that is currently registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record with its serial number located on a component part of the receiver box other than the right side-plate has been lawfully registered under the NFA and may be lawfully possessed by the registrant under 18 U.S.C. 922(o).

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Open Letter 2010 - August - All FFLs - Acquisition and Disposition Records Maintained by Licensed Importers [PDF - 100.87 KB]

ATF is committed to keeping industry members informed of statutory and regulatory developments affecting them. In furtherance of this commitment, we have prepared this open letter, which contains information about a recent clarification on the “date of importation” required to be recorded in a licensed importer’s record of acquisition, often referred to as the “bound book.” 

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Ruling 2010-2 - Visibility of Marks on Explosives Containers Stored in Magazines [PDF - 28.97 KB]

ATF authorizes alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised:

Explosives
Open Letter 2010 - May - Wyoming - All FFLs - Guidance Regarding Wyoming Firearms Freedom Act [PDF - 89.39 KB]

The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a Federal Firearms Licensee. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is providing you with the following information, intended to assist you in complying with Title 18 United States Code, Chapter 44.

Published/Revised:

Firearms
Ruling 2010-1 - Temporary Assignment of a Firearm by an FFL to an Unlicensed Employee [PDF - 19.5 KB]

Requirements for temporary assignment of a firearm by an FFL to its unlicensed employees for bona fide business purposes, where the actual custody of the firearm is transferred for a limited period of time, and where title and control of the firearm remain with the FFL; and by an FFL to its unlicensed agents, contractors, volunteers, or any other person who is not an employee of the FFL, even for bona fide business purposes. Supersedes Revenue Ruling 69-248 and modifies ATF Ruling 73-19. Industry Circular 72-23 is no longer in effect.

Published/Revised:

Firearms

ATF.gov

An official website of the U.S. Department of Justice

Looking for U.S. government information and services?
Visit USA.gov