Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 Delegation Order - Designation of Acting Supervisory Officials (45 KB) |
The purpose of this delegation order is to grant supervisors authority to designate acting supervisory officials of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). | Resource Center | General Notice |
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Delegation Order - Authority to Issue Space Requests to General Services Administration (GSA) (45 KB) |
This order delegates authority for issuing requests for space on Standard Form 81, Request for Space. | Resource Center | General Notice |
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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 |
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RIA - Final Rule 2021R-05F - Definition of "Frame or Receiver" and Identification of Firearms (1063 KB) |
Regulatory Impact Analysis (RIA) and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis of Final Rule 2021R-05F, Definition of “Frame or Receiver” and Identification of Firearms | Firearms | Rulemaking |
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All FELs-Oct2021-Open Letter-E-Nicotine Delivery Systems (294 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to provide all federal explosives licensees and permittees guidance on the safe storage of explosive materials. Electronic nicotine delivery systems, or other similar devices, are electronic devices that, through an aerosolized solution, deliver nicotine, flavor, and/or other substances (including non-tobacco products) to the user inhaling from the device. ATF has determined that electronic nicotine delivery systems are spark producing devices. Therefore, they cannot be brought into or within 50 feet of any outdoor explosives storage magazine or within any room containing an indoor magazine. | Explosives | Open Letter |
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Louisiana-Jun2021-Open Letter-Lifetime Permit (287 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to advise you that the Louisiana Lifetime Concealed Handgun Permit meets the requirements as an alternative to the NICS check only during the five-year period beginning on the date of issuance of the Lifetime Permit. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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2010-9 - Supporting Documentation for Import Permit Applications (35 KB) |
Persons holding a valid Federal firearms license and/or who are registered as importers of articles on the U.S. Munitions Import List importing surplus military defense articles importable as curios or relics, may submit photocopies of the original supporting statements and documents with ATF Form 6, if they certify, under penalties provided by law, that the supporting documentation is true, correct, and complete. Such persons who are authorized under ATF Ruling 2003-6 to file eForm 6, may submit digitally scanned copies of the original supporting statements and documents with eForm 6, if they certify, under penalties provided by law, that the supporting documentation is true, correct, and complete. | Firearms | Ruling |
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Texas Open Letter - HB 957 (220 KB) |
The passage of Texas House Bill 957 (HB957), with an effective date of September 1, 2021, has generated questions from industry members as to how this state law may affect them while engaged in a firearms business activity. HB957 claims to exempt silencers (also known as suppressors) that are manufactured in Texas, and which remain in Texas, from Federal firearms laws and regulations, including the federal registration requirements. However, because HB957 directly conflicts with federal firearms laws and regulations, federal law supersedes HB957. In summary, all provisions of the Gun Control Act (GCA) and the National Firearms Act (NFA), including their corresponding regulations, continue to apply to FFLs and other persons in Texas. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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Colorado Open Letter - HB1298.pdf (221 KB) |
Colorado House Bill 1298 (HB1298) establishes a state requirement for an FFL in Colorado to obtain approval, in the form of a “proceed” response, from the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) prior to any firearm transfers. HB1298 prohibits the CBI from approving a firearm transfer until the CBI determines that its background investigation is complete and that the transfer would not violate federal prohibitions on firearms possession or result in a violation of state law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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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 |
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All FFLs-May2006-Open Letter-Flare Inserts-Any Other Weapon (712 KB) |
This open letter provides informations regarding the use of an insert/sleeve designed to be installed in an Orion 25mm/12 gauge flare launcher that allows the use of conventional ammunition in these flare launchers.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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California-Apr2013-Open Letter-Completing ATF Forms 4473 While Complying with CA DOJ Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) Transaction Procedures (43 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to provide procedures for completing Firearms Transaction Records, ATF Form 4473, while complying with the California Department of Justice (CA DOJ) Dealer Record of Sale (DROS) transaction procedures.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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1981-4 - Auto Sear (13 KB) | The AR15 auto sear is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). | Firearms | Ruling |
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2015-1 - Manufacturing and Gunsmithing (70 KB) |
Any person (including any corporation or other legal entity) engaged in the business of performing machining, molding, casting, forging, printing (additive manufacturing) or other manufacturing process to create a firearm frame or receiver, or to make a frame or receiver suitable for use as part of a "weapon … which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive," i.e., a "firearm," must be licensed as a manufacturer under the GCA; identify (mark) any such firearm; and maintain required manufacturer’s records. A business (including an association or society) may not avoid the manufacturing license, marking, and recordkeeping requirements of the GCA by allowing persons to perform manufacturing processes on firearms (including frames or receivers) using machinery or equipment under its dominion and control where that business controls access to, and use of, such machinery or equipment. ATF Ruling 2010-10 is clarified.
| Firearms | Ruling |
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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 |
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1977-1 - Gunsmithing at Shooting Events (51 KB) | The recordkeeping requirements for licensed gunsmiths are clarified. ATF Rul. 73-13 amplified. | Firearms | Ruling |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |