Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 1980-21 - Identification of State of Residency for Out-of-State College Students (23 KB) | An out-of-State college student may establish residence in a State by residing and maintaining a home in a college dormitory or in a location off-campus during the school term. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1980-8 - Importation of Surplus Military Firearms for Law Enforcement (25 KB) | Applications to import surplus military firearms or nonsporting firearms or ammunition for individual law enforcement officers for official use must be accompanied by the agency’s purchase order. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1981-3 - Importation of Firearms Acquired Outside the U.S. by U.S. Citizens (30 KB) | Nonresident U.S. citizens returning to the United States and nonresident aliens lawfully immigrating to the United States may obtain a permit to import firearms acquired outside of the United States, provided such firearms may be lawfully imported. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2003-5 - Distribution of Explosives to Limited Permittees (50 KB) |
Distributors distributing explosive materials via common or contract carrier to limited permittees may verify receipt of the materials by telephone, facsimile, e-mail, or other means within three business days of shipment. ATF Form 5400.4 notation requirements.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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1975-31 - Meaning of the Terms "Engaged in the Business" (13 KB) |
Explosives manufacturer license required for certain companies that manufacture explosive materials for use in their own operations.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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1975-7 - Small Caliber Penguns (51 KB) | A small caliber weapon ostensibly designed to expel only tear gas, similar substances, or pyrotechnic signals, which may readily be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosive, classified as a firearm. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1976-15 - Acquisition and Disposition of Pawned Firearms (52 KB) | Certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements of pawnbrokers are explained. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1976-18 - Alternate Bullet-Resistant Construction Standards for Explosives Magazines (21 KB) |
ATF prescribes alternate bullet resistance construction standards for explosives storage facilities.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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1976-22 - Qualifying Tax Free Transfers (85 KB) | Mere possession of a license and a special tax stamp as a dealer in firearms does not qualify a person to receive firearms transfer-tax-free. Rev. Rul. 58-432 superseded. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1982-2 - KG-9 Pistol as NFA Weapon (26 KB) | The KG-9 pistol is a machinegun as defined in the National Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2005-4 - A Ported Device Attached to the Barrel of a Paintball Gun (14 KB) |
Certain integral devices intended to diminish the report of paintball guns are not “firearm silencers” or “firearm mufflers” under the Gun Control Act of 1968 or the National Firearms Act.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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1982-8 - SM10, SM11A Pistols and SAC Carbines as NFA Weapons (28 KB) | The SM10 and SM11A1 pistols and SAC carbines are machineguns as defined in the National Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1983-5 - STEN MK II as NFA Weapon (24 KB) |
The YAC STEN MK II carbine is a machinegun as defined in the National Firearms Act.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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2006-2 - Classification of Devices Exclusively Designed to Increase the Rate of Fire of a Semiautomatic Firearm (68 KB) |
The NFA and GCA definition of machinegun includes a part or parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun. This language includes a device that, when activated by a single pull of the trigger, initiates an automatic firing cycle that continues until the finger is released or the ammunition supply is exhausted.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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1985-10 - Surplus Military Frames or Receivers, Alone, Denied Importation (32 KB) | Surplus military firearms frames or receivers alone not specifically classified as curios or relics by ATF will be denied importation. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1985-2 - Importation of NFA Firearms as Sales Samples (29 KB) | A National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm may not be imported for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies if the firearm is a curio or relic unless it is established that the firearm is particularly suitable for use as a law enforcement weapon. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1994-1 - USAS-12 Shotgun as NFA Weapon (34 KB) | The USAS-12 shotgun has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter and is not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes. Therefore, it is classified as a destructive device for purposes of the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1994-2 - Striker 12 Shotgun Defined as NFA Weapon (35 KB) | The Striker-12/Streetsweeper shotgun has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter and is not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes. Therefore, it is classified as a destructive device for purposes of the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2008-1 - Fabrique Nationale Herstal SA (FN) FNC Rifle (12 KB) |
The upper assembly of the Fabrique Nationale Herstal SA (FN) FNC rifle is classified as the receiver of the firearm for purposes of the Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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1995-3 - 37/38mm Gas/Flare Guns with Anti-Personnel Ammunition are Defined as NFA Weapons (31 KB) | 37/38 mm gas/flare guns possessed with cartridges containing wood pellets, rubber pellets or balls, or bean bags are classified as destructive devices for purposes of the Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. Document Number: | Firearms | Ruling |
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1996-2 - Estate Sale Auctioneers and FFL Requirements (32 KB) | Auctioneers who regularly conduct consignment-type auctions of firearms, e.g., held every 1-2 months, on behalf of firearms owners where the auctioneer takes possession pursuant to a consignment contract with the owner of the firearms, giving the auctioneer authority to sell the firearms and providing for a commission to be paid upon such sale, are required to obtain a license as a dealer in firearms. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2010-1 - Temporary Assignment of a Firearm by an FFL to an Unlicensed Employee (20 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.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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1976-25 - Recordkeeping Requirements Salvaged Firearms (69 KB) | Recordkeeping requirements for Title I firearms from which parts are salvaged for use in repairing firearms are clarified. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2010-6 - State of Residence (98 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.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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2010-7 - Perforating Gun Storage (86 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.
| Explosives | Ruling |