Rules and Regulations Library

Title Description Category Document Type
Minnesota-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Minnesota of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
North Dakota-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in North Dakota of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Maine-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Maine of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Alabama-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Alabama of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Delaware-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Delaware of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
South Carolina-Nov1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in South Carolina of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
New Jersey-Nov1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (43 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in New Jersey of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law Firearms Open Letter
Hawaii-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Hawaii of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
New Mexico-Feb1994-Open Letter-Implementation of Brady Law Requirements (35 KB) The purpose of this open letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in New Mexico the requirements of the Brady Law.  Firearms Open Letter
New Mexico-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (84 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in New Mexico of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
National-June1997-Open Letter-Attorney General Brady Law Decision (25 KB)

The purpose of this letter is to address the Supreme Court's decision regarding that part of the Brady Handgun Control Act is unconstitutional.

Firearms Open Letter
Open Letter Federal Firearms Licensees Ready Ability (238 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to remind all Federal firearms licensees (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals through their businesses.

Firearms Open Letter
Michigan-Mar2004-Open Letter-Michigan Concealed Pistol Permit Not an Alternative to NICS (75 KB)

This open letter provides guidance regarding the use of a State of Michigan issued Concealed Pistol Permit (CPP, but commonly referred to as a CCW) and a License to Purchase a Pistol as alternatives to NICS background check.

 

Firearms Open Letter
Colorado-Mar1999-Open Letter-Correction Notice-Colorado Bureau of Investigation Ceases Operations as NICS Point of Contact (96 KB)

The Colorado Bureau of Investigation will cease its operations as the NICS point of contact on March 31, 1999. Therefore, beginning April 1, 1999, in order to initiate a NICS check for any firearm, Colorado licensees must contact the FBI’s NICS Operations Center.

Firearms Open Letter
Nevada-Oct2005-Open Letter-Nevada’s Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permits No Longer Alternative to NICS Check (38 KB)

This letter is superseded by ATF's January 5, 2006 open letter.  The purpose of this letter is to inform Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that beginning October 19, 2005, Nevada’s Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permits will no longer qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Firearms Open Letter
Georgia-Oct2005-Open Letter-Georgia’s Concealed Weapons Permits No Longer Alternative to NICS Check (39 KB)

The purpose of this letter is to inform all Georgia Federal firearms licensees (FFL) that Georgia’s Concealed Weapons Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.

Firearms Open Letter
Nevada-Jan2006-Open Letter-Nevada’s Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permits Again Qualify as Alternative to NICS Check (102 KB)

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow beginning January 5, 2006.  On this day, Nevada’s Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) permit will again qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.  Accordingly, the October 17, 2005 Open Letter to Nevada Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) is superseded.

Firearms Open Letter
List of Explosive Materials - 2015 (174 KB) Notice of List of Explosive Materials Explosives General Notice
Commerce in Firearms and Ammunition-Reporting Theft or Loss of Firearms in Transit (2007R-9P) (269 KB) The final rule specifies that when a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) discovers a firearm it shipped was stolen or lost in transit, the transferor/sender FFL must report the theft or loss to ATF and to the appropriate local authorities within 48 hours of discovery.  Firearms Rulemaking
Great Resistance Education and Training Program: Availability of Financial Assistance, Criteria and Application Procedures (96 KB)

Subject to the availability of appropriations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) intends to enter into cooperative agreements with State and local law enforcement agencies to assist them in providing the Gang Resistance Education and Training (G.R.E.A.T.) Program to school students. This notice also sets forth the intended funding priorities and criteria, as well as the application procedures that ATF will use to select, and award Federal funds to, State and local law enforcement agencies to deliver the G.R.E.A.T. Program.

Resource Center General Notice
Final Rule – 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 (625 KB)

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the ATF regarding the making or transferring of a firearm under the National Firearms Act. This final rule standardizes the requirements by ensuring that responsible persons for a trust or legal entity are subject to the same identification and background check requirements as individuals. To lessen potential compliance burdens for the public and law enforcement, this final rule eliminates the requirement for a certification signed by the chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) and instead requires CLEO notification. The final rule also clarifies the definition “responsible person” for a trust or legal entity to address concerns about the definition’s scope while maintaining the important objective of ensuring background checks for relevant parties associated with a trust or legal entity.

Firearms Rulemaking
Delegation Order - Authority to Approve ATF F 1345.4 Request and Nondisclosure Agreement (47 KB)

This order delegates the authority to approve ATF F 1345.4, Request and Nondisclosure Agreement, for current, departing, and former employees who are removing or accessing Bureau documents.

Resource Center General Notice
Transfer of Ethics (2013R-4F) (206 KB)

The Department of Justice (DOJ), with the concurrence of the Office of Government Ethics, is amending its Supplemental Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Department of Justice Supplemental Standards) to incorporate existing rules for Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) employees that had initially been adopted by the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) when the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms was within Treasury.

Resource Center Rulemaking
Armor Piercing Ammunition (98 KB)

To protect the lives and safety of law enforcement officers from the threat posed by ammunition capable of penetrating a protective vest when fired from a handgun, the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), as amended, prohibits the import, manufacture, and distribution of "armor piercing ammunition" as defined by the statute. Interpreting the meaning of this statutory language, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has developed a framework that will apply to requests seeking a determination that certain projectiles qualify for this "sporting purpose" exemption.

Firearms General Notice
Authorization to Seize Property Involved in Drug Offenses for Administrative Forfeiture (2012R-9P) Feb. 25, 2014 (62 KB)

The Department of Justice is amending its regulations to extend the trial period during which the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) may exercise, for an additional one-year period following the effective date of this rule, the authority under the United States Code to seize and administratively forfeit property involved in controlled substance offenses. The Attorney General has determined that the trial period that ends on February 25, 2014, should be extended for another year to give ATF more time to refine its processes, fully hire and train all necessary staff, and further demonstrate the effectiveness of the delegation in the investigation of violent crimes involving firearms. This rule is effective March 4, 2014.

Resource Center Rulemaking
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