Rules and Regulations Library

Titlesort descending Description Category Document Type
Montana-July2009-Open Letter-Guidance Regarding Montana Firearms Freedom Act (73 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) and the passage of the Montana Firearms Freedom Act.
Firearms Open Letter
Montana-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (776 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Montana of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
National-Apr2011-Open Letter-Submitting ATF Form 4 or Form 5 (94 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to any person submitting ATF Form 4, Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of a Firearm, or with ATF Form 5, Application for Tax Exempt Transfer and Registration of a Firearm.
Firearms Open Letter
National-Apr2012-Open Letter-Unmarked Plastic Explosives (116 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to remind all Federal law enforcement agencies and military components of certain provisions of the Antiterrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996 pertaining to plastic explosives that do not contain a detection agent.
Explosives Open Letter
National-Jan2005-Open Letter-Fabrique Nationale FR 5.7 Pistol (530 KB)
The letter provides information in response to numerous questions that ATF has received regarding the capabilities of the 5.7 X 28mm cartridge and the FR 5.7 (Fabrique Nationale) pistol.
Firearms Open Letter
National-Jan2008-Open Letter-Submitting Payments to ATF (88 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to provide notification that the ATF will be switching to electronic funds processing (ECP) for all payments received by the agency.
Firearms Open Letter
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
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
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
National-Nov2001-Open Letter-Mail Submitted to ATF by FFLs and FELs (93 KB) This open letter is to inform Federal explosives licensees that ATF has not received mail since October 25, 2001. Explosives Open Letter
National-Oct2004-Open Letter-Improperly Destroyed Russian GP-30 Grenade Launcher (543 KB)
The letter provides information on ATF's findings with regards to the improperly destroyed Russian GP-30 grenade launcher, which is classified as a destructive device.   
Firearms Open Letter
National-Oct2010-Open Letter-PACT Act and Tobacco in Interstate Commerce (257 KB) The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance to persons who sell, transfer, or ship for profit cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in interstate commerce or who advertise cigarettes or smokeless tobacco for such sale, transfer, or shipment on amendments to the Jenkins Act .  Alcohol & Tobacco Open Letter
National-Oct2010-Open Letter-Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act (PACT Act) (217 KB) The purpose of this open letter is to provide all State Attorneys General and State Tobacco Tax Administrators with information on amendments to the Jenkins Act.  Alcohol & Tobacco Open Letter
Nebraska-Apr2011-Open Letter-Nebraska’s Concealed Handgun Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check (110 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to advise that ATF has reviewed Nebraska’s Concealed Handgun Permit Act, as amended in 2010 by Legislative Bill 817, and has determined that Nebraska’s Concealed Handgun Permit does qualify as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.
Firearms Open Letter
Nebraska-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (119 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Nebraska of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Nevada-Aug2011-Open Letter-Nevada’s Concealed Firearm Permit Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check (110 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to advise all Nevada Federal firearms licensees that Nevada's Concealed Firearm Permit qualifies as an alternative to the background check required by the Brady law.
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
Nevada-May2008-Open Letter-Nevada’s Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permits No Longer Qualify as an Alternative to a NICS check (93 KB)

The purpose of this letter is to advise you that beginning July 1, 2008, 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
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
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
New Hampshire-Nov1998-Open Letter-Change to New Hampshire Background Check Procedures (1510 KB)
This correction notice is an update to the original background check letter, dated October 28, 1998.  The State of New Hampshire has elected to participate as a NICS point of contact for handguns.
Firearms Open Letter
New Hampshire-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (94 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in New Hampshire of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
New Jersey-Dec1998-Open Letter-Correction Notice-Change to New Jersey Background Check Procedure (659 KB)
The correction notice corrects an error found in the ATF open letter, dated November 10, 1998, regarding the point of contact for background checks firearm transfers. 
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
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
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