Rules and Regulations Library

Title Description Category Document Type
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
1977-1 - Gunsmithing at Shooting Events (51 KB) The recordkeeping requirements for licensed gunsmiths are clarified. ATF Rul. 73-13 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
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
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
1980-8 - 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
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
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
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
1975-7 - 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
1976-15 - Acquisition and Disposition of Pawned Firearms (52 KB) Certain reporting and recordkeeping requirements of pawnbrokers are explained. 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
1976-22 - 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
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
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
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
1983-5 - STEN MK II as NFA Weapon (24 KB)
The YAC STEN MK II carbine is a machinegun as defined in 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
1985-10 - Surplus Military Frames or Receivers, Alone, Denied Importation (32 KB) Surplus military firearms frames or receivers alone not specifically classified as curios or relics by ATF will be denied importation. Firearms Ruling
1985-2 - Importation of NFA Firearms as Sales Samples (29 KB) A National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm may not be imported for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies if the firearm is a curio or relic unless it is established that the firearm is particularly suitable for use as a law enforcement weapon. Firearms Ruling
1994-1 - USAS-12 Shotgun as NFA Weapon (34 KB) The USAS-12 shotgun has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter and is not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes. Therefore, it is classified as a destructive device for purposes of the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. Firearms Ruling
1994-2 - Striker 12 Shotgun Defined as NFA Weapon (35 KB) The Striker-12/Streetsweeper shotgun has a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter and is not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes. Therefore, it is classified as a destructive device for purposes of the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. Firearms 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
1995-3 - 37/38mm Gas/Flare Guns with Anti-Personnel Ammunition are Defined as NFA Weapons (31 KB) 37/38 mm gas/flare guns possessed with cartridges containing wood pellets, rubber pellets or balls, or bean bags are classified as destructive devices for purposes of the Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. Document Number: Firearms Ruling
1996-2 - Estate Sale Auctioneers and FFL Requirements (32 KB) Auctioneers who regularly conduct consignment-type auctions of firearms, e.g., held every 1-2 months, on behalf of firearms owners where the auctioneer takes possession pursuant to a consignment contract with the owner of the firearms, giving the auctioneer authority to sell the firearms and providing for a commission to be paid upon such sale, are required to obtain a license as a dealer in firearms. Firearms Ruling
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