Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 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 |
|
Tribal Law Enforcement-July2006-Open Letter-Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence (375 KB) |
This letter is to provide information to tribal law enforcement departments regarding the Omnibus Consolidation Appropriations Act of 1997. This Act made it unlawful for any person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (MCDV) to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunitions.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
New York-May2006-Open Letter-New York's License to Carry and Possess Handguns No Longer Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check (91 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise New York Federal firearms licensees that the New York license to carry and possess handguns no longer qualifies as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-July2005-Open Letter-Importation of U.S. Manufactured Surplus Military Firearms Classified as Curios or Relics (101 KB) | This Open Letter is to advise all Federal Firearms Licensees and registered importers of U.S. munitions import list articles that ATF was advised by the Department of State, on a case-by-case basis, permit the retransfer of U.S. manufacturing military firearms that were sold or granted by the United States Government classified by ATF as curios or relics. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-July2005-Open Letter-Department of State Rescinded Sanctions on Trade in Defense Articles and Services from South Africa (71 KB) | The purpose of this open letter is to inform licensed firearms importers and registered importers of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles that the United States Department of State has rescinded the sanctions on trade in defense articles and services from South Africa. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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2021R-05 - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Definition of Frame or Receiver (1383 KB) | Rules and Regulations | Rulemaking | |
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ATF Industry Circular 1985-2: Importation of National Firearms Act Curio and Relic Firearms (691 KB) |
This circular provides information concerning the importation of National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies when such firearms have been determined to be curios or relics. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
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ATF Industry Circular 2003-1: Establishment of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (52 KB) |
The purpose of this industry circular is to advise members of the alcohol and tobacco industries that, effective January 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), will be responsible for administering the alcohol and tobacco laws noted below and implementing regulations currently administered by ATF. | Alcohol & Tobacco | Industry Circular |
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ATF Industry Circular 2003-2: Establishing the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (54 KB) |
The purpose of this industry circular is to advise firearms and ammunition excise taxpayers that effective January 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, will be responsible for administering the firearms and ammunition excise tax laws and regulations currently administered by ATF. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
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ATF Industry Circular 1999-2: Unlawful Transportation, Shipment or Sale of Cigarettes (249 KB) |
This circular reminds all persons of the federal law (and penalties) applying to the shipments, sale or possession of cigarettes and to the domestic sales of cigarettes marked for export. Additionally, this circular addresses the sale of cigarettes on Native American tribal reservations. | Alcohol & Tobacco | Industry Circular |
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1975-1-Penguns Classified as Firearms (902 KB) |
This circular announces the reclassification of small caliber weapons (such as penguns) ostensibly designed to expel only tear gas, similar substances or pyrotechnic signals, which may be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosive, as firearms. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
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ATF Industry Circular 89-6: Facsimile Transmitted Copies (1365 KB) |
The purpose of this circular is to advise industry members that an ATF ruling will be published in a future issue of the ATF Quarterly Bulletin. The ruling will read substantially as follows: The ATF has been asked whether certain forms and other documents could optionally be transmitted to the Bureau by means of facsimile machines. | Resource Center | Industry Circular |
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Puerto Rico-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (69 KB) | Open Letter to All FFL's regarding Brady Law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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North Carolina-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law.pdf (713 KB) | October 1991 Open Letter to all FFL's regarding Brady Law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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South Dakota-March 2021-Open Letter-Regular Concealed Carry Permit as NICS Alternative (206 KB) |
A South Dakota Regular Concealed Carry Permit, issued on or after July 1, 2018, can be used as an alternative to the required NICS background check. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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SB Criteria Withdrawal Notice 12-23-20.pdf (106 KB) |
ATF is announcing the withdrawal of a notice and request for comments entitled “Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with ‘Stabilizing Braces’,” that was published on December 18, 2020. | Firearms | General Notice |
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2003-1 — Importation of Browning M1919 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (213 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Browning M1919 type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2010-2 - Visibility of Marks on Explosives Containers Stored in Magazines (29 KB) |
ATF authorizes alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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All FFLs-May2013-Open Letter-Prohibited Transfers of Firearms to Foreign Purchaser (76 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to advise federal firearms licensees that arranging for the exportation of firearms and ammunition through in-person disposition to foreign purchasers at airline ticket counters of local international airports violates the Gun Control Act of 1968. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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2003-4 - Importation of Sten Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale.pdf (194 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Sten type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2007-3 - Preloading and Temporary Storage of Blasting Agents on Bulk Delivery Vehicles (21 KB) |
Under specified conditions, blasting agents may be stored in mobile type 5 magazines (bulk trucks) without meeting 27 CFR 555.211 immobilization requirements.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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2003-3 — Importation of Heckler & Koch G3 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (230 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Heckler & Koch G3 type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2003-2 — Importation of FN FAL Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (188 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the FN FAL type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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All FFLs-Jan2013-Open Letter-Facilitating Transfers of Firearms Between Private Individuals (298 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to remind all Federal firearms licenses (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals thorough their businesses. | Firearms | Open Letter |