Rules and Regulations Library

Titlesort descending Description Category Document Type
2002-3 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in a Residence or Dwelling (11 KB)
ATF will approve variances to store explosives in a residence or dwelling only upon certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of a certification of compliance with State and local law, and documentation that local fire safety officials have received a copy of the certification.
Explosives Ruling
2002-4 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in Business Premises Directly Adjacent to a Residence or Dwelling (86 KB)
ATF requires approval of variances for indoor storage of explosives in business premises directly adjacent to a residence or dwelling.
Explosives Ruling
2002-5 - Transfer and Possession Machineguns (12 KB) Applications to transfer two (2) machineguns of a particular model to a Federal firearms licensee as sales samples will be approved if documentation shows necessity for demonstration to government agencies. Firearms Ruling
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
2003-1 — Importation of Browning M1919 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (213 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
2003-2 — Importation of FN FAL Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (188 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
2003-3 — Importation of Heckler & Koch G3 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (230 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
2003-4 - Importation of Sten Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale.pdf (194 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
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
2004-2 - Temporary Importation of Firearms Subject to the NFA (351 KB) Approved alternate method or procedure for importers to use when temporarily importing firearms subject to the NFA, the GCA and the Arms Export Control Act for inspection, testing, calibration, repair, or incorporation into another defense article. Firearms Ruling
2004-3 - Locking Requirements for Indoor Type 4 Storage Magazines (11 KB)
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
Explosives Ruling
2004-5 - Minigun Ruling (941 KB)
The 7.62mm Aircraft Machine Gun, identified in the U.S. military inventory as the "M-134" (Army), "GAU-2B/A" (Air Force), and "GAU-17/A" (Navy), is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). Rev. Rul. 55-528 modified.
Firearms Ruling
2005-2 - Meaning of Term Highway (12 KB)
ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
Explosives Ruling
2005-3 - Meaning of Term Inhabited Building (17 KB)
ATF provides guidance on two situations involving structures and whether they are "inhabited buildings" as defined in 27 CFR Part 555.
Explosives Ruling
2005-4 - A Ported Device Attached to the Barrel of a Paintball Gun (14 KB)
Certain integral devices intended to diminish the report of paintball guns are not “firearm silencers” or “firearm mufflers” under the Gun Control Act of 1968 or the National Firearms Act.
Firearms Ruling
2006-2 - Classification of Devices Exclusively Designed to Increase the Rate of Fire of a Semiautomatic Firearm (68 KB)
The NFA and GCA definition of machinegun includes a part or parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun. This language includes a device that, when activated by a single pull of the trigger, initiates an automatic firing cycle that continues until the finger is released or the ammunition supply is exhausted.
Firearms Ruling
2007-1 - Maintaining Required Explosives Records in Computerized Form (21 KB)
Under specified conditions, approval is granted to utilize computerized records as required records under 27 CFR 555, Subpart G.
Explosives Ruling
2007-2 - Temporary Storage of Display Fireworks (74 KB)
Under specified conditions, display fireworks may be temporarily stored in locked, attended motor vehicles at explosives magazine site(s) and fireworks display site(s) without meeting 27 CFR 555.210 locking requirements provided certain security measures are in place.
Explosives Ruling
2007-3 - Preloading and Temporary Storage of Blasting Agents on Bulk Delivery Vehicles (21 KB)
Under specified conditions, blasting agents may be stored in mobile type 5 magazines (bulk trucks) without meeting 27 CFR 555.211 immobilization requirements.
Explosives Ruling
2008-1 - Fabrique Nationale Herstal SA (FN) FNC Rifle (12 KB)
The upper assembly of the Fabrique Nationale Herstal SA (FN) FNC rifle is classified as the receiver of the firearm for purposes of the Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53.
Firearms Ruling
2008R-15P - Federal Firearms License Proceedings - Hearings: Final Rule (217 KB)

The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) regarding administrative hearings held as part of firearms license proceedings. This rule clarifies that persons requesting a hearing will be afforded the opportunity to submit facts and arguments for review and consideration during the hearing, and may make offers of settlement before and after the hearing. The regulations are intended to ensure that federal firearms licensees and persons applying for a federal firearms license are familiar with the hearing process relative to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a firearms license, or imposition of a civil fine.

Firearms Rulemaking
2009-2 - Installation of Drop In Replacement Parts (15 KB)
Licensing requirements under the GCA for any person who installs “drop in” replacement parts in or on existing, fully assembled firearms. A “drop in” replacement part is one that can be installed in or on an existing, fully assembled firearm without drilling, cutting, or machining. A replacement part, whether factory original or otherwise, has the same design, function, substantially the same dimensions, and does not otherwise affect the manner in which the weapon expels a projectile by the action of an explosive.
Firearms Ruling
2010-1 - Temporary Assignment of a Firearm by an FFL to an Unlicensed Employee (20 KB)
Requirements for temporary assignment of a firearm by an FFL to its unlicensed employees for bona fide business purposes, where the actual custody of the firearm is transferred for a limited period of time, and where title and control of the firearm remain with the FFL; and by an FFL to its unlicensed agents, contractors, volunteers, or any other person who is not an employee of the FFL, even for bona fide business purposes. Supersedes Revenue Ruling 69-248 and modifies ATF Ruling 73-19. Industry Circular 72-23 is no longer in effect.
Firearms Ruling
2010-2 - Visibility of Marks on Explosives Containers Stored in Magazines (29 KB)
ATF authorizes alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
Explosives Ruling
2010-3 - Identification of Maxim Side-Plate Receivers (182 KB)
The right side-plate of a Vickers/Maxim-type firearm, manufactured with its camming lobe affixed in the proper location, and without an ATF approved block that prevents installation of machinegun fire control components, is a machinegun receiver, and therefore, a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA. Provided it has not been disassembled into its component parts, a complete Vickers/Maxim-type machinegun that is currently registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record with its serial number located on a component part of the receiver box other than the right side-plate has been lawfully registered under the NFA and may be lawfully possessed by the registrant under 18 U.S.C. 922(o).
Firearms Ruling
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