Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 2002-6 - Identification of Firearms, Armor Piercing Ammunition, and Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices (76 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 |
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All FFLs-May2006-Open Letter-New E-mail Service Available to Federal Firearms Licensees (26 KB) |
ATF is offering Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) a new option to receive ATF information by email. This voluntary service will allow FFLs to receive newsletters, open letters, and important notices by email. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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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 machine guns for future sale to federal, state, or local government agencies without a specific government contract or official request; provided, the machine guns 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 machine guns it has manufactured to another qualified manufacturer for any manufacturing process; provided, the first manufacturer maintains continuous dominion or control over the machine guns. A manufacturer may transfer machine guns 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 |
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AG 3608-2016: Background Checks for Responsible Persons of a Trust or Legal Entity With Respect to Making or Transferring a Firearm (4940 KB) |
The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding the making or transferring of a firearm under the National Firearms Act (NFA). This final rule defines the term "responsible person," as used in reference to a trust, partnership, association, company, or corporation; requires responsible persons of such trusts or legal entities to complete a specified form and to submit photographs and fingerprints when the trust or legal entity files an application to make an NFA firearm or is listed as the transferee on an application to transfer an NFA firearm; requires that a copy of all applications to make or transfer a firearm, and the specified form for responsible persons, as applicable, be forwarded to the chief law enforcement officer (CLEO) of the locality in which the applicant/transferee or responsible person is located; and eliminates the requirement for a certification signed by the CLEO. These provisions provide a public safety benefit as they ensure that responsible persons undergo background checks. | Firearms | Ruling |
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Alabama-July2019-Public Safety Advisory-Alabama Federal firearms licensees transferring firearms (311 KB) |
The purpose of this public safety advisory is to notify you of an important change to the procedure you may follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (Brady Act), codified at 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Aug2010-Open Letter-Acquisition and Disposition Records Maintained by Licensed Importers (101 KB) |
This open letter contains information about a recent clarification on the “date of importation” required to be recorded in a licensed importer’s record of acquisition, often referred to as the “bound book.”
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Aug2008-Open Letter-Clarification for FFLs on Obtaining a Marking Variance (122 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important clarification to the manner in which a Federal Firearms License holder can obtain a marking variance from the provisions of 27 CFR § 478.92.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Jan2004-Open Letter-Importance of Partnerships Between ATF and the Firearms Industry (95 KB) | This open letter discusses the importance of the partnerships that have been established between ATF and the firearms industry and to reinforce our joint responsibilities under the Gun Control Act (GCA). | Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Apr2001-Open Letter-End of Registration Period for Streetsweeper, Striker-12, and USAS-12 Shotguns (88 KB) |
On February 9, 2001, ATF published a ruling that establishes a final deadline and ends the registration period for individuals who are currently in possession of the Streetsweeper, Striker-12, and the USAS-12 shotguns. The registration period for these shotguns will expire on May 1, 2001.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Aug2011-Open Letter-September 11th Anniversary (90 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to encourage all Federal firearms licensees to increase their awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11th approaches.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Jan2009-Open Letter-Availability of 2007 - 28th Edition State Laws and Published Ordinances (ATF P 5300.5) (96 KB) |
The purpose of this Open Letter is to make you aware of the availability of the 2007, 28th Edition State Laws and Published Ordinances - Firearms (ATF P 5300.5). This publication is now being distributed in a CD-ROM version.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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Implementation of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 Regarding Trafficking in Contraband Cigarettes or Smokeless Tobacco (2006R-1P) (111 KB) |
The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to implement certain provisions of the USA PATRIOT Improvement and Reauthorization Act of 2005 (enacted March 9, 2006) relating to trafficking in contraband cigarettes or smokeless tobacco. | Alcohol & Tobacco | Rulemaking |
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ATF Industry Circular 77-20: Duplication of Serial Numbers on Imported Firearms (361 KB) |
Importers of Firearms and Destructive Devices: Recently, ATF has noted cases where some importers have adopted the same serial number for more than one firearm. These instances of duplication have generally occurred when firearms are received from more than one source. | Resource Center | Industry Circular |
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Kentucky-May-2015-Open Letter-Guidance on Alternative Permit Procedures that Comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (63 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to provide clarification and guidance on alternative permit procedures that comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Protection Act (Brady law) for firearms transfers to unlicensed persons in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. This open letter supersedes the 2006 Open Letter to All Kentucky Federal Firearms Licensees with respect to alternatives to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) background check.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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Colorado-July1999-Open Letter-Correction Notice-State of Colorado Point of Contact for Background Checks (95 KB) |
The Colorado Department of Public Safety recently notified ATF that the State of Colorado will again act as the point of contact for NICS checks for all firearms transactions. Therefore, beginning August 1, 1999, in order to request a NICS check for any firearm transaction, you must contact the Colorado Bureau of Investigation.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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ATF Business Premises Guidance Letter 4-10-2020 (272 KB) |
Letter to all federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in response to questions from industry members regarding the legality of firearm sales and deliveries exterior to the brick-and-mortar structure at which the firearms business is licensed, in light of the March 13, 2020, declaration of a national emergency concerning the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), and the Department of Homeland Security’s subsequent classification of firearms businesses as essential. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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2017-1-Revoking Certain Guidance Documents (283 KB) |
ATF is revoking several guidance documents; specifically three rulings, one procedure, and two industry circulars. ATF Procedure 75-4: Procedure incorporated into the Application for Explosives License or Permit, ATF Form 5400.13/16.; Industry Circular 75-10: Industry Circular incorporated into the Application for Explosives License or Permit, ATF Form 5400.13/16.; ATF Ruling 85-3: Ruling made obsolete by amendments to 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(3).; Industry Circular 85-3: Industry circular made obsolete by amendments to 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(3).; ATF Ruling 2001-1: Ruling made unnecessary and obsolete as the registration period ended May 1, 2001.: ATF Ruling 2004-1: Ruling made obsolete by amendments to 27 CFR 478.11 (definition of "State of residence").
| Resource Center | Ruling |
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All States' Attorney General-May2007-Open Letter-Adjudicated as a Mental Defective (108 KB) |
This open letter is to all States' Attorney General and focuses on working with each State in taking steps to identify person who are prohibited from possessing firearms as a result of their mental health history.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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California-May2015-Open Letter-Guidance for Completing ATF Forms 4473 while Complying with California DOJ DROS DES Transaction Procedures. (175 KB) |
The ATF has received inquiries from California Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) concerning the correct procedure for completing Firearms Transaction Records, ATF Forms 4473, while complying with the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) Entry System (DES) transaction procedures.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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New Mexico-Nov1998-Open Letter-Correction Notice-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (987 KB) |
This correction notice is to advise all New Mexico Federal firearms licensees that the New Mexico Department of Public Safety will no longer participate as the NICS point of contact.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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Washington-Nov2003-Open Letter-Washington Concealed Weapons Permits are No Longer Valid Alternative to NICS Checks (145 KB) |
The open letter is to inform all Washington State Federal firearms licensees that as of November 30, 2003, all the grandfathered permits will have expired and Washington FFLs may longer accept a Washington concealed weapons permit as an alternative to a NICS check. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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1997-2 - Semiautomatic Firearms Resembling the Browning 1919A-4 and A-6 Machineguns (16 KB) |
Whether a 1919 A-4 semiautomatic firearm and 1919 A-6 semiautomatic rifle are "portable" firearms subject to tax when sold by their importer or manufacturer pursuant to 26 U.S.C. § 4181. | Firearms | Ruling |
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Public Advisory to All Michigan FFLs 03-03-20 (567 KB) |
The purpose of this public safety advisory is to advise all Michigan federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of an important change to the procedure they must follow to comply with the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act (Brady law), 18 U.S.C. § 922(t), when transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-Sept2011-Open Letter-Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes (57 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the issue of marijuana for medicinal purposes and its applicability to Federal firearms laws.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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Franklin Armory - Dec2019 - Open Letter - Franklin Armory Reformation Firearm (1116 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATP) has received questions from industry members and the general public regarding a new type of firearm produced by the Franklin Armory®. This 'firearm, known as the "Reformation", utilizes a barrel that is produced with straight lands and grooves. This design contrasts with conventional rifling, in which the barrel's lands and grooves are spiral or twisted, and are designed to impart a spin onto the projectile. | Firearms | Open Letter |