Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
1976-6 - Tasers as Firearms (26 KB) | A hand-held device designed to expel by means of an explosive two electrical contacts (barbs) connected by two wires attached to a high voltage source in the device classified as a firearm. | Firearms | Ruling |
|
2011-3 - Alternate Locks Authorized for Explosives Magazines (98 KB) |
ATF authorizes alternate use of hidden-shackle "hockey puck" locks, recessed padlocks, and padlocks with boron alloy shackles to secure explosives magazines, provided all of the requirements stated of this ruling have been met.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
2012-2 - Storage of Display Fireworks in Picking Bins (74 KB) |
ATF authorizes alternate storage of display fireworks in fixed, unmarked, and uncovered bins inside explosives storage magazines provided all of the requirements of this ruling are met
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
2012-5 - Type 4 Magazine Construction (69 KB) |
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store explosive materials in outdoor type 4 magazines with wood-only floors, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
1973-13 - Gunsmithing Premises and Regular Business Hours (28 KB) |
Because of the nature of operations conducted by a gunsmith, he shall not be required to have business premises open to the general public or to have regular business hours.
| Firearms | Ruling |
|
1974-13 - Importation of Firearms by Members of the U.S. Armed Forces (26 KB) | A member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is a resident of any State or territory which requires that a permit or other authorization be issued prior to possessing or owning a handgun shall submit evidence of compliance with State law when applying to import a handgun. | Firearms | Ruling |
|
1974-20 - Disposition of Replacement Firearms (108 KB) | Form 4473 shall not be required to record disposition of a like replacement firearm when such firearm is delivered by a licensee to the person from whom the malfunctioning or damaged firearm was received, provided such disposition is recorded in the licensee’s permanent records. | Firearms | Ruling |
|
1974-8 - NFA Firearms for Official Use Only (68 KB) | When NFA firearms are registered on Form 10 by governmental entities, subsequent transfers of such firearms shall be made only to other governmental entities. | Firearms | Ruling |
|
2011-2 - Locking Requirements for Outdoor Type 5 Bin and Silo Magazines (85 KB) |
ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store bulk blasting agents in outdoor type 5 bin or silo magazines without the specified locks provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling have been met.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
All FFLs-Nov2003-Open Letter-Procedual Guidance Regarding the Handling of ATF Form 4473 After a Firearms Transaction (1121 KB) |
This letter serves to provide Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) with procedural guidance regarding the handling of ATF From 4473, Firearms Transaction Record, after a firearm transaction has occurred.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FELs-Sept2012-Open Letter-Table of Distance Requirements (116 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to provide information regarding ATF revisiting its guidelines for the application of the tables of distances for the storage of certain explosive materials.
| Explosives | Open Letter |
|
National-Apr2012-Open Letter-Unmarked Plastic Explosives (116 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to remind all Federal law enforcement agencies and military components of certain provisions of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 pertaining to plastic explosives that do not contain a detection agent.
| Explosives | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Dec2011-Open Letter-Future Amendment of Nonimmigrant Alien Provisions (67 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to inform all Federal firearms licensees that ATF is in the process of amending its regulations and forms related to nonimmigrant alien provisions of the Gun Control Act.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Dec2011-Open Letter-State of Residence (71 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to inform all Federal firearms licensees that ATF will be revising the regulations in 27 C.F.R. Part 478 to conform to the Department of Justice's conclusions by removing the separate 90-day residency requirement for aliens.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Nov2011-Open Letter-Recent Changes to Florida State Law (63 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the recent changes to Florida State law and to assist Federal firearms licensees in complying with Federal firearms laws and regulations and how they may affect Florida county ordinances that require sellers to wait five days before delivering a firearms.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-July2009-Open Letter-Selling or Delivering Firearms Frames or Receivers (104 KB) | The purpose of the this open letter is to provide guidance on certain regulatory requirements and definitions under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) about selling or delivering firearm frames or receivers. | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Montana-July2009-Open Letter-Guidance Regarding Montana Firearms Freedom Act (73 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) and the passage of the Montana Firearms Freedom Act.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Tennessee-July2009-Open Letter-Passage of the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act (74 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a Federal firearms licensee (“FFL”) with respect to the the passage of the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act that took effect on June 19, 2009.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-May2008-Open Letter-Procedual Guidance for Licensed and/or Registered Importers for ATF Form 6A (300 KB) | This open letter is a reminder of the procedures to follow when completing ATF Form 6A as outlined in 27 CFR 478.112 and on the instruction page of the form. | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
National-Jan2008-Open Letter-Submitting Payments to ATF (88 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to provide notification that the ATF will be switching to electronic funds processing (ECP) for all payments received by the agency.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-June2007-Open Letter-Post Office (P.O.) Boxes or Rural Route Numbers as a Residence Address (296 KB) | The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance regarding firearms transferees whose only identification documents indicate only Post Office Box or Rural Route number as a residence address. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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Kentucky-Jun2007-Open Letter-Amendment to What was Formerly Known as Kentucky’s Contiguous State Law (250 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to advise that the recent amendment to what was formerly known as Kentucky’s contiguous state law has no effect on Federal firearms laws and regulations.
| Firearms | Open Letter |