Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 2014-1 - Manufacturing/Inventory of Machineguns for LE and Military (49 KB) |
A manufacturer licensed and qualified under the GCA and NFA may manufacture and maintain an inventory of machineguns for future sale to Federal, State, or local government agencies without a specific government contract or official request; provided, the machineguns are properly registered, and their subsequent transfer is conditioned upon and restricted to the sale or distribution of such weapons for the official use of Federal, State, or local government agencies. A manufacturer may deliver machineguns it has manufactured to another qualified manufacturer for any manufacturing process; provided, the first manufacturer maintains continuous dominion or control over the machineguns. A manufacturer may transfer machineguns it has manufactured for present or future sale to a Federal, State, or local government agency to another qualified manufacturer for any manufacturing processes or storage; provided, the manufacturer has a specific government contract or official written request documenting that it is an agent of the government agency requesting and authorizing such transfer. ATF Ruling 2004-2 is clarified.
| Firearms | Ruling |
|
1981-4 - Auto Sear (13 KB) |
The AR15 auto sear is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). | Firearms | Ruling |
|
Louisiana-Apr2015-Open Letter-Louisiana's Concealed Handgun Permit Qualifies as Alternative to to NICS Check (53 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to advise all Louisiana Federal firearms licensees that Louisiana's concealed handgun permit has been determined to qualify as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
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 |
|
All FFLs-Jan2015-Open Letter-Redesign of "Stabilizing Braces" (212 KB) |
The purpose of the this open letter is to answer inquiries from the public concerning the proper us of devices marketed as "stabilizing braces." | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FELs-Jun2014-Open Letter-Black Powder (57 KB) |
This is an open letter to all Federal explosives licensees and permittees in regards to inquiries about black powder exceptions under the Federal explosives laws.
| Explosives | 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 |
|
1969-59 - Gunshow Sales at Non-Licensed Premises (43 KB) |
Firearms or ammunition may not be sold at gun shows by a licensed dealer, but orders may be taken under specified conditions | Firearms | Ruling |
|
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 |
|
1975-20 - Meaning of Terms "Inhabited Building" (15 KB) |
An office or repair shop used in connection with the manufacture, etc., of explosive materials are not "inhabited buildings."
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
1975-27 - Renewed Federal Firearms License Conduct of Business (67 KB) |
A firearms licensee may continue operations until his renewal application for a license is finally acted upon. | Firearms | Ruling |
|
1977-1 - Gunsmithing at Shooting Events (51 KB) |
The recordkeeping requirements for licensed gunsmiths are clarified. ATF Rul. 73-13 amplified. | Firearms | Ruling |
|
2002-6 - Identification of Firearms, Armor Piercing Ammunition, and Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices (68 KB) |
In accordance with 27 CFR 178.92 and 27 CFR 179.102, identification of firearms, armor piercing ammunition, and large capacity ammunition feeding devices, the terms "conspicuously" and "legibly" as used therein mean, respectively, that the markings are wholly unobstructed from plain view and that the markings contain exclusively Roman letters and Arabic numerals. | Firearms | Ruling |
|
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 |
|
2003-1 — Importation of Browning M1919 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (217 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 |
|
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 |
|
2003-2 — Importation of FN FAL Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (182 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 |
|
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 |
|
2003-3 — Importation of Heckler & Koch G3 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (231 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 |
|
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 |
|
2003-4 - Importation of Sten Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale.pdf (188 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 |
|
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 |
|
2003-5 - Distribution of Explosives to Limited Permittees (50 KB) |
Distributors distributing explosive materials via common or contract carrier to limited permittees may verify receipt of the materials by telephone, facsimile, e-mail, or other means within three business days of shipment. ATF Form 5400.4 notation requirements.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
1975-31 - Meaning of the Terms "Engaged in the Business" (13 KB) |
Explosives manufacturer license required for certain companies that manufacture explosive materials for use in their own operations.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
1975-7 - Small Caliber Penguns (51 KB) |
A small caliber weapon ostensibly designed to expel only tear gas, similar substances, or pyrotechnic signals, which may readily be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosive, classified as a firearm. | Firearms | Ruling |