Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 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 |
|
Identification Markings Placed on Firearm Silencers and Firearm Mufflers ANPRM (66 KB) | The Department of Justice is considering amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to require licensed manufacturers, licensed importers, and nonlicensed makers to place identification markings on the outer tube of firearm silencers and firearm mufflers. The Department wishes to gather information and comments from the public and industry concerning whether or not the regulations should be amended. | Firearms | Rulemaking |
|
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 |
|
Implementation of Public Law 105-277 Relating to Secure Gun Storage, Amended Definition of “Antique Firearm,” and Miscellaneous Amendments (99R 125P) (247 KB) | The Department of Justice proposes amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), to codify into regulation certain provisions of Public Law 105-277, Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999. The proposed rule would amend ATF’s regulations to account for the existing statutory requirement for applicants for firearms dealer licenses to certify that secure gun storage or safety devices will be available at any place where firearms are sold under the license to nonlicensed individuals, and amend definitions of certain terms, including an amended definition of “antique firearm,” to include certain muzzle loading firearms. | Rules and Regulations | Rulemaking |
|
Recordkeeping Regulations - Technical Amendment to 27 CFR 478.125 (54 KB) | This final rule makes technical amendments to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regulations in title 27 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) pertaining to certain firearms recordkeeping requirements in 27 CFR 478.125 and 478.125a to provide clarity and enhance uniformity. The technical changes are being made in the wording of three tables to reflect the same wording in the body of the regulations associated with the tables regarding the required description of firearms for recordkeeping purposes | Rules and Regulations | Rulemaking |
|
West Virginia-Jun2016-Open Letter - To All West Virginia FFLs regarding HB4145 (45 KB) | The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance concerning West Virginia House Bill (HB) 4145 as it concerns the provisional licenses made eligible to West Virginia residents aged 18-20. | 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 |
|
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 |
|
December 2018 - Bump-Stock-Type-Devices - 2018R–22F (426 KB) |
The Department of Justice is amending the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives regulations to clarify that “bump fire” stocks, slide-fire devices, and devices with certain similar characteristics (“bump-stock-type devices”) are “machineguns” as defined by the National Firearms Act of 1934 (NFA) and Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), because such devices allow a shooter of a semiautomatic firearm to initiate a continuous firing cycle with a single pull of the trigger.
| Rules and Regulations | Rulemaking |
|
National-Jan2016-Presidential Memorandum (24 KB) |
Tracing firearms in connection with criminal investigations and improving availability of relevant Executive Brand records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Alaska-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (50 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Alaska of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
California-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (38 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in California of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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Georgia-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (47 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Georgia of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Illinois-May2008-Open Letter-Illinois Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) Cards No Longer Qualify as an (120 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that beginning July 1, 2008, Illinois Firearms Owner Identification (FOID) cards no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Iowa-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (124 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Iowa of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Kansas-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (118 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). On November 30, 1998, the interim provisions of the Brady law will cease to apply, and the permanent provisions of the Brady law will take effect. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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Kentucky-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (510 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Kentucky of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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Louisiana-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (474 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Louisiana of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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Nevada-Nov1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law.pdf (124 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Nevada of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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New York-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (114 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in New York of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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Northern Mariana Islands-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (50 KB) | The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. | Firearms | Open Letter |