Rules and Regulations Library

Titlesort ascending Description Category Document Type
1982-8-Discontinuance of ATF Form 5400.3, for Black Powder (660 KB)

This circular notifies explosives licensees that ATF Form 5400.3, Transaction Record for Black Powder to be used for antique weapons, is no longer required.

Explosives Industry Circular
1982-8 - SM10, SM11A Pistols and SAC Carbines as NFA Weapons (28 KB) The SM10 and SM11A1 pistols and SAC carbines are machineguns as defined in the National Firearms Act. Firearms Ruling
1982-2 - KG-9 Pistol as NFA Weapon (26 KB) The KG-9 pistol is a machinegun as defined in the National Firearms Act. 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
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
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
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
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
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
1977-1 - Gunsmithing at Shooting Events (51 KB) The recordkeeping requirements for licensed gunsmiths are clarified. ATF Rul. 73-13 amplified. Firearms Ruling
1976-6 - Tasers as Firearms (26 KB) A hand-held device designed to expel by means of an explosive two electrical contacts (barbs) connected by two wires attached to a high voltage source in the device classified as a firearm. Firearms Ruling
1976-25 - Recordkeeping Requirements Salvaged Firearms (69 KB) Recordkeeping requirements for Title I firearms from which parts are salvaged for use in repairing firearms are clarified. Firearms Ruling
1976-24-State of Residency of Armed Service Members (782 KB)

A member of the Armed Forces on active duty is a resident of the State in which his permanent duty station is located. 

Firearms Ruling
1976-22 - Qualifying Tax Free Transfers (85 KB) Mere possession of a license and a special tax stamp as a dealer in firearms does not qualify a person to receive firearms transfer-tax-free. Rev. Rul. 58-432 superseded. Firearms Ruling
1976-18 - Alternate Bullet-Resistant Construction Standards for Explosives Magazines (21 KB)
ATF prescribes alternate bullet resistance construction standards for explosives storage facilities.
Explosives Ruling
1976-15 - Acquisition and Disposition of Pawned Firearms (52 KB) Certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements of pawnbrokers are explained. Firearms 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
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
1975-27 - 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
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
1975-1-Penguns Classified as Firearms (902 KB)

This circular announces the reclassification of small caliber weapons (such as penguns) ostensibly designed to expel only tear gas, similar substances or pyrotechnic signals, which may be converted to expel a projectile by means of an explosive, as firearms.

Firearms Industry Circular
1974-8 - NFA Firearms for Official Use Only (68 KB) When NFA firearms are registered on Form 10 by governmental entities, subsequent transfers of such firearms shall be made only to other governmental entities. Firearms Ruling
1974-20 - Disposition of Replacement Firearms (108 KB) Form 4473 shall not be required to record disposition of a like replacement firearm when such firearm is delivered by a licensee to the person from whom the malfunctioning or damaged firearm was received, provided such disposition is recorded in the licensee’s permanent records. Firearms Ruling
1974-13 - Importation of Firearms by Members of the U.S. Armed Forces (26 KB) A member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is a resident of any State or territory which requires that a permit or other authorization be issued prior to possessing or owning a handgun shall submit evidence of compliance with State law when applying to import a handgun. Firearms Ruling
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