Rules and Regulations Library

Titlesort ascending Description Category Document Type
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-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-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-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-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-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-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-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-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-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
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
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
Missouri-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (817 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Missouri of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Missouri- Open Letter To All FFLs- House Bill Number 85, Second Amendment Preservation Act (262 KB)

Missouri House Bill Number 85, Second Amendment Preservation Act (“the Act” or “SAPA”), signed into law by Governor Parson on June 12, 2021, has generated questions from industry members and firearm owners as to how this Missouri state law may affect them while engaged in a firearms business activity or seeking to acquire a firearm. Section 1.420 of the Act states that “federal acts, laws, executive orders, administrative orders, rules, and regulations” falling into five categories of regulations relating to firearms “shall be considered infringements on the people’s right to keep and bear arms, as guaranteed by Amendment II of the Constitution of the United States and Article I, Section 23 of the Constitution of Missouri.” SAPA § 1.420. 

Firearms Open Letter
Mississippi-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (326 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Mississippi of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Minnesota-Oct2019-NICS Background Check Prior to Firearm Transfer to Non-Licensee with Valid Minnesota Permit to Carry (436 KB)

All Minnesota Federal Firearms Licensees are required to conduct a NICS background check prior to the transfer of a firearm to a non-licensee even if that person presents a valid Minnesota Permit to Carry.

Firearms Open Letter
Minnesota-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Minnesota of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Michigan-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (633 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Michigan of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Michigan-Mar2004-Open Letter-Michigan Concealed Pistol Permit Not an Alternative to NICS (75 KB)

This open letter provides guidance regarding the use of a State of Michigan issued Concealed Pistol Permit (CPP, but commonly referred to as a CCW) and a License to Purchase a Pistol as alternatives to NICS background check.

 

Firearms Open Letter
Michigan-Mar2004-Open Letter-Curbing the Flow of Illegal Crime Guns (75 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of ATF’s continued commitment and strong partnership with the Michigan firearms industry and to request your assistance in combating the illegal traffic and use of firearms.
Firearms Open Letter
Massachusetts-Oct2003-Open Letter-Massachusetts License to Carry No Longer an Alternative to NICS Check (79 KB)
This open letter is to inform all Massachusetts Federal firearms licensees that as of October 21, 2003 all previously grandfathered Massachusetts licenses to carry will have expired. 
Firearms Open Letter
Massachusetts-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Massachusetts of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Maryland-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (1008 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Maryland of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Maine-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (45 KB) The purpose of this letter is to advise Federal firearms licensees in Maine of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Firearms Open Letter
Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and Certain Other Firearms, Amended Definition of "Pistol" (2003R-33P) (60 KB)

The Department of Justice is proposing to amend the regulations relating to machine guns, destructive devices, and certain other firearms regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA) for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) to clarify the definition of the term ‘‘pistol’’ and to define more clearly exceptions to the ‘‘pistol’’ definition.

Firearms Rulemaking
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