Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 All FFLs-May2004-Open Letter-Importation of Articles Added by the Amendment to Annex A of the Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) (43 KB) | A decision was agreed upon to amend Annex A of the Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) by adding 74 types of firearms to the list. Please note, that even though these 74 firearms have been added to Annex A, ATF will still need to determine the importability of some of these firearms. | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Michigan-Mar2004-Open Letter-Curbing the Flow of Illegal Crime Guns (75 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of ATF’s continued commitment and strong partnership with the Michigan firearms industry and to request your assistance in combating the illegal traffic and use of firearms.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Oct1998-Open Letter-Pawnbroker Transactions (30 KB) |
The Omnibus Appropriations Act for 1999 provides that a pawnbroker may complete a NICS check when a firearm is offered as collateral for a loan, at the option of the dealer. ATF will be publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking setting forth the procedures pawnbrokers must follow if they wish to complete the optional NICS check at the time a firearm is offered for pawn.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
South Carolina-Sept1999-Open Letter-Notice of Amendment-South Carolina Ceases Operations as NICS Point of Contact (98 KB) |
The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division has now notified ATF and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) that they will cease operations as the NICS point of contact on September 30, 1999. Therefore, beginning October 1, 1999, in order to initiate a NICS check for any firearm, South Carolina licensees must contact the FBI’s NICS Operations Center
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
North Dakota-Apr2000-Open Letter-Correction Notice-Qualifying Permit Alternatives to NICS Check (103 KB) |
The provisions of North Dakota law regarding the issuance of concealed weapons permits were recently amended. Based on these changes, concealed weapons permits issued on or after December 1, 1999, will now qualify as alternatives to a NICS check at the time of transfer.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-June2000-Open Letter-Open Letter to Importers Regarding CICAD Model Regulations (113 KB) | Through a final rule published June 20, 2000, in the Federal Register, ATF is amending its regulations and affected forms to comply with Model Regulations for the Control of the International Movement of Firearms, Their Parts and Components, and Ammunition (the Model Regulations). | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Oregon-Dec2000-Open Letter-Notice of Amendment for All Oregon Firearms Background Checks (101 KB) |
The provision of Oregon State law regarding all firearms background checks was recently amended. Effective December 8, 2000, the Oregon State Police will act as the point of contact for all firearms background checks (handguns and long guns).
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Nov2001-Open Letter-Supporting Documentation for the Importation of Surplus Military Curio or Relic Firearms (90 KB) | In response to the recent number of inquiries from licensed importers concerning the importation of surplus military curio or relic firearms and the submission of supporting documentation, ATF has published ATF Ruling 2001-3. | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-May2006-Open Letter-Adding a Vertical Fore Grip to a Handgun (193 KB) | This open letter provides information regarding the affect of adding a vertical fore grip to a handgun, therefore making it a firearm that falls under the National Firearms Act (NFA). | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
National-Jan2005-Open Letter-Fabrique Nationale FR 5.7 Pistol (530 KB) |
The letter provides information in response to numerous questions that ATF has received regarding the capabilities of the 5.7 X 28mm cartridge and the FR 5.7 (Fabrique Nationale) pistol.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
National-Oct2004-Open Letter-Improperly Destroyed Russian GP-30 Grenade Launcher (543 KB) |
The letter provides information on ATF's findings with regards to the improperly destroyed Russian GP-30 grenade launcher, which is classified as a destructive device.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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2016-1- Requirements to Keep Firearms Records Electronically (157 KB) | Approved alternate method or procedure for licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors to maintain their firearms acquisition and disposition records electronically instead of in paper format provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. Supersedes ATF Ruling 2013-5. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2016-2 – Electronic ATF Form 4473 (160 KB) |
Approved alternate method or procedure for FFLs to use an electronic version of Form 4473, instead of the paper format, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. Supersedes ATF Rul. 2008-3.
| Firearms | Ruling |
|
Ohio-May2016-Open Letter-Ohio's Concealed Handgun License Qualifies as Alternative to Background Check Requirement (63 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to advise all Ohio FFLs that Ohio's concealed handgun license qualifies as an alternative to the background check requirement.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
National-May 2016-Open Letter-All Chief Law Enforcement Officers of State and Local Law Enforcement Agencies (80 KB) |
On January 15, 2016, ATF published in the Federal Register a final rule entitled “Machineguns, Destructive Devices and Certain Other Firearms; Background Checks for Responsible Persons of a Trust or Legal Entity with Respect to Making or Transferring a Firearm.” This final rule is effective on July 13, 2016, and amends the regulations governing the making and transfer of firearms regulated by the National Firearms Act.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
2016-4 – Electronic Transmission of Form 6A Information to CBP (56 KB) |
ATF Ruling 2016-4 - The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) authorizes an alternate method or procedure in lieu of the method or procedure prescribed in the regulations that currently require an importer to submit to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) an original, paper copy of ATF Form 6A, Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 6A), to import firearms, ammunition, and other defense articles.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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2016-5 – Marking Variance for Government Defense Contractors (67 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) authorizes an alternate method or procedure to the firearms marking requirements contained in title 27, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), sections 478.92 and 479.102. Specifically, ATF authorizes licensed manufacturers of certain destructive device munitions that are manufactured for and transferred to the U.S. Government (USG) to mark these destructive device munitions with sequential lot numbers, provided conditions set forth in this ruling are met.
| Firearms | Ruling |
|
South Dakota-Feb2017-Open Letter-South Dakota's Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol (34 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise South Dakota Federal Firearms Licensees regarding ATF's determination of the South Dakota’s Gold Card Concealed Pistol Permit and Enhanced Permit to Carry a Concealed Pistol as alternatives to the background check.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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ATF Procedure 2017-1 - Facilitating Non-FFL Transfers of Firearms (74 KB) |
The purpose of this Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) procedure is to set forth the recordkeeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) who facilitates the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals. This procedure does not apply to pawn transactions, consignment sales, or repairs. Supersedes 2013-1 Procedure.
| Firearms | Ruling |
|
atf-ruling-2018-1.pdf (90 KB) |
ATF is revoking several guidance documents; specifically 7 rulings, 1 procedure, and 59 open letters. The following documents listed, in the order in which they were issued: Revenue Ruling 69-114; ATF Ruling 75-30; ATF Ruling 7-13; ATF Ruling 77-25; ATF Ruling 77-26; ATF Ruling 80-22; ATF Ruling 80-23; ATF Procedure 80-7; 53 Open letters dated February 1994; Open Letter to all federally licensed importers and manufacturers dated August 22, 2001; Open Letter to All Federal firearms and explosives licensees dated November 20, 2001; Open Letter to all Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees dated February 12, 2003; Open Letter to all FFLs dated August 31, 2006; Open Letter to all FFLs dated November 4, 2008; and Open Letter to Washington FFL's dated August 12, 2011.
| Resource Center | Ruling |
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ATF Proc. 90-1 - Identification Number for Special Occupational Taxpayer (296 KB) |
The purpose of this ATF procedure is to inform federal firearms licensees who have paid the special (occupational) tax to import, manufacture, or deal in National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms of the discontinuance of the use of the ATF Identification Number and the replacement with the use of the Employer Identification Number (EIN) on all NFA transaction forms.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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ATF Proc. 75-3: Recordkeeping for drop shipments (249 KB) |
This ATF Procedure sets forth the recordkeeping procedures for "drop shipments" of firearms (other than National Firearms Act firearms as defined in section 5845(a) of Chapter 53, Title 26, U.S.C.) and ammunition between federally licensed firearms dealers, importers, and manufacturers.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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1976-24-State of Residency of Armed Service Members (782 KB) |
A member of the Armed Forces on active duty is a resident of the State in which his permanent duty station is located. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1987-1-Revoking 68 Obsolete ATF Rulings (398 KB) |
Periodic review of outstanding rulings reflect the that the following list of rulings are obsolete because of expiration or changes to current laws and regulations. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1987-2--Revoking 44 obsolete ATF Rulings (260 KB) |
Periodic review of outstanding rulings reflect the that the following list of rulings are obsolete because of expiration or changes to current laws and regulations. | Firearms | Ruling |