Rules and Regulations Library

Published/Revised: March 15, 2011

This open letter has been rescinded. The provisions of North Dakota law regarding the issuance of concealed weapons permits were recently amended.  Based on these changes, concealed weapons permits issued on or after Dec. 1, 1999, will now qualify as alternatives to a NICS check at the time of transfer.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Published/Revised: September 3, 1999

The purpose of the this open letter is to provide guidance on certain regulatory requirements and definitions under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) about selling or delivering firearm frames or receivers.

Published/Revised: July 7, 2009

Published/Revised: July 16, 2009

Published/Revised: July 17, 2009

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance regarding firearms transferees whose only identification documents indicate only Post Office Box or Rural Route number as a residence address.

Published/Revised: July 7, 2007

Published/Revised: May 2, 2006

Published/Revised: August 16, 2006

Published/Revised: June 25, 2007

The purpose of this open letter is to inform licensed firearms importers and registered importers of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles that the United States Department of State has rescinded the sanctions on trade in defense articles and services from South Africa.

Published/Revised: July 11, 2005

Published/Revised: January 25, 2008

This Open Letter is to advise all Federal Firearms Licensees and registered importers of U.S. munitions import list articles that ATF was advised by the Department of State, on a case-by-case basis, permit the retransfer of U.S. manufacturing military firearms that were sold or granted by the United States Government classified by ATF as curios or relics.

Published/Revised: July 12, 2005

The purpose of this letter is to inform Federal firearms licensees that the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) National Instant Criminal Background Check System's (NICS) Voluntary Appeal File (VAF) has been established.

Published/Revised: December 15, 2004

The open letter is to inform all Washington State federal firearms licensees that as of Nov. 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.

Published/Revised: December 15, 2004

The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow beginning Jan. 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 Oct. 17, 2005, Open Letter to Nevada Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) is superseded.

Published/Revised: January 5, 2006

ATF Citizens' Academy Application - The Citizens' Academy is an event for local community, religious and civic leaders, and organizations to interact and talk directly with ATF special agents and participate in hands-on activities related to ATF's areas of investigative responsibilities.

Published/Revised: July 2, 2025

The purpose of this Open Letter 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. Specifically, the North Carolina pistol purchase permit may no longer be used as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check requirement.

Published/Revised: August 24, 2023

The purpose of this open letter is to notify all persons that ATF has rescinded special explosive device exemptions for certain consumer-style grenades (e.g. flashbang grenades, smoke grenades). As a result, these explosive devices are no longer exempt from the provisions of the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555 – Commerce in Explosives. 

Published/Revised: November 8, 2023

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) is issuing this open letter to assist Federal Firearms Licensees (“FFLs”) in understanding their obligations when they choose to provide firearm storage services to their customers and the public. 

Published/Revised: July 27, 2023

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) recently examined devices commonly marketed as “solvent traps” and has determined that some of them are “firearm silencers” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA) and as defined in the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Published/Revised: August 16, 2024

Changes to Vermont Law, 13 Vermont Statutes Annotated (V.S.A.) § 4019, effective July 1, 2022, have generated questions from Vermont FFLs. This letter alerts Vermont FFLs to the recent changes in Vermont law and provides guidance to ensure Vermont FFLs remain in compliance.

Published/Revised: March 16, 2023

This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that the Oklahoma Self Defense Act Handgun License (SDA Handgun License) issued on or after Nov. 1, 2021, meets the requirements as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check — but only in Oklahoma during the five-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the SDA Handgun License.

Published/Revised: July 29, 2025

Open letter to the federal firearms licensee (FFL) community to advise on the restrictions and parameters of 18 U.S.C. § 922(o), which generally prohibits the possession or transfer of machineguns imported or manufactured after May 19, 1986, with limited exceptions.

Published/Revised: January 12, 2023

ATF Form 5320.24, Description of Firearm and Information on Request for Demonstration, should be submitted by Federal Firearms Licensees who have paid the special (occupational) tax to import, manufacture, or deal in NFA firearms, for approval to transfer an NFA firearm to a similarly qualified licensee. The completed ATF Form 5320.24 should be completed by a law enforcement agency requesting demonstration of 922(o) machineguns and will serve as supporting documentation for the ATF Form 3 (5320.3), Application for Tax-Exempt Transfer of Firearm and Registration to Special Occupational Taxpayer (National Firearms Act). 

Published/Revised: January 2, 2024