Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 1956-47 - Classification of the "Project-O-Life" (164 KB) |
This ruling advises that the "Project-O’LiFe," ostensibly designed to fire two .38 caliber gas shells simultaneously and to serve as a flashlight is a firearm within the purview of the National Firearms Act and the Federal Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1956-28 - Classification of a "Molgun" (104 KB) |
This ruling advises that a "Molgun" made of an aluminum casing, an exposed firing mechanism, and a removable insert chamber of 12-gauge bore is a firearm within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1955-699 - Classification of a burglar alarm device (113 KB) |
This ruling clarifies that a burglar alarm device consisting of a metal cylinder, hinged in the middle so it can be opened to chamber a 20-gauge shotgun is not a firearm within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1955-569 - Classification of a submarine spear fishing device (147 KB) |
This ruling clarifies when a device ostensibly designed for submarine spearfishing but capable of chambering and firing .22 caliber rimfire ammunition would be considered a firearm within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1955-528 - Classification of crank-operated gear-driven Gatling guns (127 KB) |
This ruling clarifies at what point a crank-operated gear-driven Gatling guns would fall or would not fall within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1955-341 - Classification of a 20 gauge gun having two barrels (130 KB) |
This ruling clarifies that a 20-gauge gun having two barrels pointing in opposite directions, each of which is threaded to a centerpiece containing a firing mechanism and may be concealed on a person, is a firearm within the purview of the National Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1954-519 - Classification of a plastic "pistol" (122 KB) |
This ruling advises that a plastic "pistol" is not a firearm under the Federal Firearms Act although designed to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1954-389 - Removal of firearms from a foreign trade zone (228 KB) |
This ruling clarifies that removal of firearms from a foreign trade zone for any purpose other than reshipment to a place outside the jurisdiction of the U.S. constitutes importation as of the time they were originally brought within the limits of the U.S. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1954-372 - Concealed cane gun (150 KB) |
A .410 gauge gun concealed in a cane, or a pistol grip handgun with 8-inch chambered for a .410 gauge shotgun shell, are firearms within the purview of the NFA. A flare pistol is not a firearm if capable of firing only pyrotechnic shells or cartridges designed for use with it. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1954-247 - Device for trapping animals (75 KB) |
A device for trapping animals that fires a special plastic cartridge but is not capable of firing projectiles is not a firearm within the Federal Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1954-245 - A tool powered by blank .22 and .38 cartridges (196 KB) |
A tool powered by blank .22 and .38 cartridges which is used for setting studs or driving anchors into masonry or metal is not a firearm within the Federal Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1954-233 - Revolver refitted with a 10-inch barrel (107 KB) |
A revolver refitted with a 10-inch barrel and classified as an “any other weapon” and is a firearm under Sec. 2733(a) of the IRC. | Firearms | Ruling |
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Rev. Rul. 54-181 Classification of certain weapons as any other weapon (318 KB) |
This ruling advises that certain weapons fall within the definition of an “any other weapon” within the purview of the Federal Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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ATF Proc. 2020-1 – Recordkeeping procedure for non-over-the-counter firearm sales by licensees to unlicensed in-state residents that are NICS exempt (169 KB) |
This procedure supersedes 2013-2. This ATF procedure gives guidance to licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers (licensees) on how to complete the Firearms Transaction Record, ATF Form 4473 (Form 4473), as revised effective May 2020, and record the sale of a firearm, when selling to an unlicensed person who (a) Has a valid alternate permit or otherwise is exempt from National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) requirements; (b) Resides in the same State as the licensee; and (c) Does not appear in person at the licensee's business premises. | Rules and Regulations | Ruling |
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ATF Proc. 2020-2 – Recordkeeping and Background Check Procedure for Facilitation of Private Party Firearms Transfers (260 KB) |
This procedure supercedes ATF Procedure 2017-1. The purpose of this ATF procedure is to set forth the recordkeeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) who facilitate the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals. This procedure does not apply to pawn transactions, consignment sales, or repairs. | Rules and Regulations | Ruling |
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1981-4 - Auto Sear (13 KB) | The AR15 auto sear is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). | Firearms | Ruling |
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2015-1 - Manufacturing and Gunsmithing (70 KB) |
Any person (including any corporation or other legal entity) engaged in the business of performing machining, molding, casting, forging, printing (additive manufacturing) or other manufacturing process to create a firearm frame or receiver, or to make a frame or receiver suitable for use as part of a "weapon … which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive," i.e., a "firearm," must be licensed as a manufacturer under the GCA; identify (mark) any such firearm; and maintain required manufacturer’s records. A business (including an association or society) may not avoid the manufacturing license, marking, and recordkeeping requirements of the GCA by allowing persons to perform manufacturing processes on firearms (including frames or receivers) using machinery or equipment under its dominion and control where that business controls access to, and use of, such machinery or equipment. ATF Ruling 2010-10 is clarified.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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California-Apr2013-Open Letter-Completing ATF Forms 4473 While Complying with CA DOJ Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) Transaction Procedures (43 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to provide procedures for completing Firearms Transaction Records, ATF Form 4473, while complying with the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) transaction procedures.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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1975-21 - Construction of Storage Facilities by the Department of Defense - Concrete Floors (14 KB) |
Certain explosives storage facilities meeting standards of construction prescribed by the Department of Defense Explosives Safety Board are approved
| Explosives | Ruling |
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1977-1 - Gunsmithing at Shooting Events (51 KB) | The recordkeeping requirements for licensed gunsmiths are clarified. ATF Rul. 73-13 amplified. | Firearms | Ruling |
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1977-24 - Storage Compartments on Vehicles (40 KB) |
Alternate magazine construction standards for storage of electric blasting caps with other explosive materials are prescribed.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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1980-20 - Rifle Bore Tasers as Firearms (24 KB) | A hand-held device with a hand grip bent at an angle to the bore and having a rifled bore which is designed to expel, by means of an explosive, two electrical contacts (barbs) connected by two wires to a high voltage source within the device is classified as a firearm. ATF Rul. 76-6 is amplified. | Firearms | Ruling |
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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 |