Rules and Regulations Library
Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
---|---|---|---|
Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Defense Articles - Removal of Certain Defense Articles Currently on the U.S. Munitions Import List that No Longer Warrant Important Control Under the Arms Export Control Act (2011R-25P) (60 KB) |
The Department of Justice is finalizing without change an amendment to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives regulations to remove those defense articles currently on the United States Munitions Import List that ATF by delegation has determined no longer warrant import control under the Arms Export Control Act. | Firearms | Rulemaking |
Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Defense Articles - Removal of Certain Defense Articles Currently on the U.S. Munitions Import List that No Longer Warrant Import Control Under the Arms Export Control Act (2011R-25P) Mar. 27, 2014 (74 KB) |
The Department of Justice is amending Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regulations to remove those defense articles currently on the U.S. Munitions Import List that ATF by delegation has determined no longer warrant import control under the Arms Export Control Act. | Firearms | Rulemaking |
Implementation of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 Regarding Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes or Smokeless Tobacco (2006R-1P) (111 KB) |
The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to implement certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (enacted March 9, 2006) relating to trafficking in contraband cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. | Alcohol & Tobacco | Rulemaking |
Implementation of the Safe Explosives Act, Title XI, Subtitle of Public Law 107-296 (195 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is amending the regulations to implement the provisions of the Safe Explosives Act, Title XI, Subtitle C of Pub. L. 107–296, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (enacted November 25, 2002). | Explosives | General Notice |
Implementation of the Safe Explosives Act, Title XI, Subtitle C of Public Law 107-296 - Delivery of Explosives by Common or Contract Carrier (53 KB) |
The Department of Justice is amending current regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) to remove the requirement that common or contract carriers taking possession of explosive materials for delivery to a licensee or permittee complete ATF Form 5400.8 (Explosives Delivery Record) prior to taking possession of explosive materials, regardless of whether they are hired by the distributor or by the distributee. ATF believes that this requirement is unduly burdensome and unnecessary. Furthermore, ATF does not believe that the elimination of this form will result in diversion of explosive materials to criminal or terrorist use. | Explosives | Rulemaking |
Implementation of Public Law 105-277 Relating to Secure Gun Storage, Amended Definition of “Antique Firearm,” and Miscellaneous Amendments (99R 125P) (247 KB) | The Department of Justice proposes amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), to codify into regulation certain provisions of Public Law 105-277, Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999. The proposed rule would amend ATF’s regulations to account for the existing statutory requirement for applicants for firearms dealer licenses to certify that secure gun storage or safety devices will be available at any place where firearms are sold under the license to nonlicensed individuals, and amend definitions of certain terms, including an amended definition of “antique firearm,” to include certain muzzle loading firearms. | Rules and Regulations | Rulemaking |
Illinois-May2008-Open Letter-Illinois Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) Cards No Longer Qualify as an (120 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that beginning July 1, 2008, Illinois Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) cards no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
Identification Markings Placed on Imported Explosive Materials and Miscellaneous Amendments (2000R-238P) (79 KB) |
The Department of Justice is amending the current regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to require licensed importers to identify by marking all explosive materials they import for sale or distribution. Licensed manufacturers currently are required to place identification markings on explosive materials manufactured in the United States. Similar marking requirements, however, do not currently exist for imported explosive materials. Identification markings are needed on explosives to help ensure that these materials can be effectively traced for criminal enforcement purposes. | Explosives | Rulemaking |
Identification Markings Placed on Firearm Silencers and Firearm Mufflers ANPRM (66 KB) | The Department of Justice is considering amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to require licensed manufacturers, licensed importers, and nonlicensed makers to place identification markings on the outer tube of firearm silencers and firearm mufflers. The Department wishes to gather information and comments from the public and industry concerning whether or not the regulations should be amended. | Firearms | Rulemaking |
Idaho-Oct1998-Firearms-Establishment of National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) (841 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. | Firearms | Open Letter |
Hawaii-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Hawaii of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
Guam-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (880 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Guam of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
Great Resistance Education and Training Program: Availability of Financial Assistance, Criteria and Application Procedures (96 KB) |
Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) intends to enter into cooperative agreements with State and local law enforcement agencies to assist them in providing the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program to school students. This notice also sets forth the intended funding priorities and criteria, as well as the application procedures that ATF will use to select, and award Federal funds to, State and local law enforcement agencies to deliver the G.R.E.A.T. Program. | Resource Center | General Notice |
Granting Relief of Firearms Disabilities to Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (2014R-50N) (53 KB) |
Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation (NGSC), a wholly owned subsidiary of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NGC), has been granted relief from the disabilities imposed by Federal laws by the Director of ATF with respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms. | Firearms | General Notice |
Georgia-Oct2005-Open Letter-Georgia’s Concealed Weapons Permits No Longer Alternative to NICS Check (39 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to inform all Georgia Federal firearms licensees (FFL) that Georgia’s Concealed Weapons Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. | Firearms | Open Letter |
Georgia-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (47 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Georgia of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
Georgia-July2006-Open Letter-Georgia's Concealed Weapons Permit Again Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check (38 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow beginning July 1, 2006. On this day, Georgia’s Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) will again qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. Accordingly, the October 17, 2005, Open Letter to Georgia Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) is superseded.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
Georgia-Apr2005-Open Letter-Georgia Crime Information Center Ceases Operations as NICS Point of Contact (36 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that on July 1, 2005, the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) will cease to operate as the point of contact (POC) for the National Instant Background Check (NICS) program, and to further advise you of the affect these changes may have on firearms transactions conducted under your Federal firearms license.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
Franklin Armory - Dec2019 - Open Letter - Franklin Armory Reformation Firearm (1116 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATP) has received questions from industry members and the general public regarding a new type of firearm produced by the Franklin Armory®. This 'firearm, known as the "Reformation", utilizes a barrel that is produced with straight lands and grooves. This design contrasts with conventional rifling, in which the barrel's lands and grooves are spiral or twisted, and are designed to impart a spin onto the projectile. | Firearms | Open Letter |
Florida-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (985 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Florida of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
Firearms Disabilities for Certain Nonimmigrant Aliens (2001R-332P) (76 KB) |
In 2002, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) published an interim final rule implementing the provision of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999, relating to firearms disabilities for certain nonimmigrant aliens. That regulation implemented the law by prohibiting, with certain exceptions, the sale or disposition of firearms or ammunition to, and the possession, shipment, transportation, or receipt of firearms or ammunition by, nonimmigrant aliens. This final rule addresses only the nonimmigrant alien visa issue. The remaining issues raised by the 2002 interim final rule, and the public comments submitted with respect to those issues, will be addressed in a separate forthcoming rule. | Firearms | Rulemaking |
Final Rule – 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 (625 KB) |
The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the ATF regarding the making or transferring of a firearm under the National Firearms Act. This final rule standardizes the requirements by ensuring that responsible persons for a trust or legal entity are subject to the same identification and background check requirements as individuals. To lessen potential compliance burdens for the public and law enforcement, this final rule eliminates the requirement for a certification signed by the chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) and instead requires CLEO notification. The final rule also clarifies the definition “responsible person” for a trust or legal entity to address concerns about the definition’s scope while maintaining the important objective of ensuring background checks for relevant parties associated with a trust or legal entity. | Firearms | Rulemaking |
Federal Firearms License Proceedings - Hearings (2008R-15P) Aug. 10, 2010 (63 KB) |
The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regarding administrative hearings held as part of firearms license proceedings. This proposed rule clarifies that such hearings are held in an informal setting and that persons requesting a hearing will be afforded the opportunity to submit facts, arguments, offers of settlement, or proposals of adjustment for review and consideration. The proposed regulations are intended to ensure that federal firearms licensees and persons applying for a federal firearms license are familiar with the hearing process relative to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a firearms license, or imposition of a civil fine. | Firearms | Rulemaking |
Federal Firearms License Proceedings - Hearings (2008R-15P) Feb. 3, 2012 (65 KB) |
The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regarding administrative hearings held as part of firearms license proceedings. This proposed rule clarifies that such hearings are held in an informal setting and that persons requesting a hearing will be afforded the opportunity to submit facts, arguments, offers of settlement, or proposals of adjustment for review and consideration. The proposed regulations are intended to ensure that federal firearms licensees and persons applying for a federal firearms license are familiar with the hearing process relative to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a firearms license, or imposition of a civil fine. | Firearms | General Notice |
Explosive Pest Control Devices (2002R-285P) (49 KB) |
Based, in part, on a petition we have received, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is proposing to amend the regulations to provide a limited exemption from the requirements of part 55 for individuals having a legitimate need to use explosive pest control devices for wildlife management purposes. The proposed regulations are intended to facilitate the acquisition of these devices by those individuals who have a legitimate pest control need. | Explosives | Rulemaking |