Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
2016-3 – Consolidation of Records Required for Manufacturers (143 KB) |
Approved alternate method or procedure for licensed firearms manufacturers to consolidate their records of manufacture or other acquisition of firearms with their separate firearms disposition records, provided all of the conditions in this ruling are met. Supersedes Ruling 2010-8.
| 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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
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1955-342 - FFLS Assembling Firearms from Component Parts (173 KB) |
A dealer who engages in the business of assembling firearms from component parts for purposes of sale or distribution in interstate or foreign commerce must be licensed as a manufacturer of firearms, pursuant to provisions of the Federal Firearms Act. The manufacturer’s excise tax is imposed under the Internal Revenue Code of 1934 on the sale of firearms so produced. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1958-109-Licensing Requirements Under Federal Firearms Act (328 KB) |
Any person engaged in the business of selling firearms or pistol or revolver ammunition which are received in interstate commerce, either directly or indirectly, must obtain a Federal Firearms license. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1967-306 - Reactivate Unserviceable Firearms (240 KB) |
A licensed manufacturer who also paid special (occupational) tax under the National Firearms Act may reactivate an unserviceable firearm for the purpose of sale or other disposition without incurring firearms “making” tax liability. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1967-347 - Transfer Tax Liability (319 KB) |
Transfer tax liability is not incurred where a shotgun or rifle coming within the purview of the National Firearms Act(NFA) is returned to the manufacturer for conversion into a weapon not coming within the provisions of the NFA. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1972-178 - Obsolete ATF Rulings (218 KB) |
Periodic review of outstanding revenue rulings reflect that the following list of rulings are obsolete because of expiration or changes to current laws and regulations. | General | Ruling |
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Minnesota-Oct2019-NICS Background Check Prior to Firearm Transfer to Non-Licensee with Valid Minnesota Permit to Carry (436 KB) |
All Minnesota Federal Firearms Licensees are required to conduct a NICS background check prior to the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee even if that person presents a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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1968-368 - Classification of the Spitfire Carbine (239 KB) |
This ruling clarifies that the Spitfire Carbine, manufactured by the Spitfire Manufacturing Co. is a firearm that comes within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |