Rules and Regulations Library

Title Description Category Document Type
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
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 Rul. 58-432 superseded.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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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