Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 All FFLs-May2007-Open Letter-Virginia Tech Tragic Events (91 KB) | We at ATF were saddened by the tragic events that unfolded at Virginia Tech just last month. In the immediate aftermath, many questions arose about whether the person responsible for the shootings was prohibited under Federal law from possessing a firearm. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Oct2007-Open Letter-Availability of the Personal Firearms Record, ATF Form 3312.8 (86 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to make you aware of the availability of ATF Publication 3312.8, Personal Firearms Record. This record is to help firearms owners adequately identify their firearms in case of a theft or loss.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Massachusetts-Oct2003-Open Letter-Massachusetts License to Carry No Longer an Alternative to NICS Check (79 KB) |
This open letter is to inform all Massachusetts Federal firearms licensees that as of October 21, 2003 all previously grandfathered Massachusetts licenses to carry will have expired.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Indiana-Sept2003-Open Letter-Changes to Indiana Background Check Procedures (104 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of important changes to the procedures Indiana Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) must follow beginning October 1, 2003, in order to comply with the Brady Law. It also will advise you of the procedures you will have to follow to comply with Indiana State law.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
ATF 20P (221 KB) |
Importation of Defense Articles and Defense Services-U.S. Munitions Import Lists (2011R-20P) - The Department of Justice is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulations to remove the cross reference to the regulatory United States Munitions List (USML) of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) that appears at 27 CFR 447.21; to clarify that the Attorney General exercises delegated authority pursuant to the Arms Export Control Act (AECA) and Executive Order 13637 to designate defense articles and defense services as part of the statutory SML for purposes of permanent import controls, regardless of whether the Secretary of State controls such defense articles or defense services for purposes of export and temporary import; and to clarify that defense articles and defense services controlled pursuant to the Attorney General’s delegated AECA authority are part of the statutory USML (along with those that are controlled for export and temporary import by the Secretary of State), but that the list of defense articles and defense services controlled by the Attorney General is labeled the USMIL to distinguish it from the list of defense articles and defense services in the ITAR that are controlled by the Secretary of State. | Rules and Regulations | Rulemaking |
|
Transfer of Ethics (2013R-4F) (206 KB) |
The Department of Justice (DOJ), with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics, is amending its Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Justice Supplemental Standards) to incorporate existing rules for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) employees that had initially been adopted by the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms was within Treasury. | Resource Center | Rulemaking |
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2004-2 - Temporary Importation of Firearms Subject to the NFA (351 KB) | Approved alternate method or procedure for importers to use when temporarily importing firearms subject to the NFA, the GCA and the Arms Export Control Act for inspection, testing, calibration, repair, or incorporation into another defense article. | Firearms | Ruling |
|
All FELs-Aug2011-Open Letter-September 11th Anniversary (60 KB) |
This open letter is to encourage Federal explosives licensees to exercise increased awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11th approaches. The security of your explosives storage sites is very important. | Explosives | Open Letter |
|
All FELs-July2011-Open Letter-State/Local Government Entities and Explosives Industry Members Distribution To and Receipt Of Explosive Pest Control Devices (EPCDs) (169 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.
| Explosives | Open Letter |
|
2005-3 - Meaning of Term Inhabited Building (17 KB) |
ATF provides guidance on two situations involving structures and whether they are "inhabited buildings" as defined in 27 CFR Part 555.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
2005-2 - Meaning of Term Highway (12 KB) |
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
2004-3 - Locking Requirements for Indoor Type 4 Storage Magazines (11 KB) |
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
2002-4 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in Business Premises Directly Adjacent to a Residence or Dwelling (86 KB) |
ATF requires approval of variances for indoor storage of explosives in business premises directly adjacent to a residence or dwelling.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
South Carolina-Nov1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in South Carolina of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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New Jersey-Nov1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (43 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in New Jersey of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law | Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FELs-Apr2011-Open Letter-Importance of Security When Storing or Transporting Explosive Materials (64 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.
| Explosives | Open Letter |
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Alabama-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Alabama of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FELs-Nov2010-Open Letter-Explosive Pest Control Devices (EPCDs) (164 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.
| Explosives | Open Letter |
|
All FELs-Aug2008-Open Letter-Guidance for Pending Natural Disasters (175 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to help you protect your business premises and inventory in the event of a natural disaster; and provide guidance on what to do if your business premises is damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster.
| Explosives | Open Letter |
|
All FELs-May2008-Open Letter-Notification of Proposed Improvement to Fireworks Recordkeeping Process (160 KB) |
This year, a fireworks industry groups made a proposal that ATF anticipates will make fireworks recordkeeping more manageable and enhance our ability to trace and track fireworks. The proposed process should improve public safety and reduce the number of illegal transactions in display fireworks. | Explosives | Open Letter |
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2002-3 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in a Residence or Dwelling (11 KB) |
ATF will approve variances to store explosives in a residence or dwelling only upon certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of a certification of compliance with State and local law, and documentation that local fire safety officials have received a copy of the certification.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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All FELs-Sept2005-Open Letter-Hurricane Katrina Damaged Areas (141 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to provide procedures to Federal explosives licensees and permittees affected by Hurricane Katrina. | Explosives | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-July2004-Open Letter-ATF Requests Assistance in National Effort to Prevent Terrorism (152 KB) | This open letter provides awareness information for Federal firearms licensees to incorporate in their daily business activities. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FELs-July2004-Open Letter-ATF Director's Letter to Explosives Industry to Be Aware and Be Secure (166 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to advise Federal explosives industry licensees and permittees to remain diligent in security and protection of their explosives inventory. | Explosives | Open Letter |
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All FELs-Jun2003-Open Letter-Reminder Regarding the Limited Permit (166 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to remind Federal explosives licensees and permittees to be vigilant during the Fourth of July holiday and provide information regarding the new intrastate limited permit.
| Explosives | Open Letter |