Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 Rev. Rul. 54-181 Classification of certain weapons as any other weapon (318 KB) |
This ruling advises that certain weapons fall within the definition of an “any other weapon” within the purview of the Federal Firearms Act. | Firearms | Ruling |
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ATF Proc. 2020-1 – Recordkeeping procedure for non-over-the-counter firearm sales by licensees to unlicensed in-state residents that are NICS exempt (169 KB) |
This procedure supersedes 2013-2. This ATF procedure gives guidance to licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers (licensees) on how to complete the Firearms Transaction Record, ATF Form 4473 (Form 4473), as revised effective May 2020, and record the sale of a firearm, when selling to an unlicensed person who (a) Has a valid alternate permit or otherwise is exempt from National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) requirements; (b) Resides in the same State as the licensee; and (c) Does not appear in person at the licensee's business premises. | Rules and Regulations | Ruling |
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ATF Proc. 2020-2 – Recordkeeping and Background Check Procedure for Facilitation of Private Party Firearms Transfers (260 KB) |
This procedure supercedes ATF Procedure 2017-1. The purpose of this ATF procedure is to set forth the recordkeeping and National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) procedures for Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) who facilitate the transfer of firearms between private unlicensed individuals. This procedure does not apply to pawn transactions, consignment sales, or repairs. | Rules and Regulations | Ruling |
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2021R-05 - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Definition of Frame or Receiver (1383 KB) | Rules and Regulations | Rulemaking | |
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ATF Industry Circular 1985-2: Importation of National Firearms Act Curio and Relic Firearms (691 KB) |
This circular provides information concerning the importation of National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms for use as a sample for sales to law enforcement agencies when such firearms have been determined to be curios or relics. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
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ATF Industry Circular 2003-1: Establishment of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (52 KB) |
The purpose of this industry circular is to advise members of the alcohol and tobacco industries that, effective January 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB), will be responsible for administering the alcohol and tobacco laws noted below and implementing regulations currently administered by ATF. | Alcohol & Tobacco | Industry Circular |
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ATF Industry Circular 2003-2: Establishing the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (54 KB) |
The purpose of this industry circular is to advise firearms and ammunition excise taxpayers that effective January 24, 2003, a new Treasury agency, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, will be responsible for administering the firearms and ammunition excise tax laws and regulations currently administered by ATF. | Firearms | Industry Circular |
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ATF Industry Circular 1999-2: Unlawful Transportation, Shipment or Sale of Cigarettes (249 KB) |
This circular reminds all persons of the federal law (and penalties) applying to the shipments, sale or possession of cigarettes and to the domestic sales of cigarettes marked for export. Additionally, this circular addresses the sale of cigarettes on Native American tribal reservations. | Alcohol & Tobacco | Industry Circular |
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1975-1-Pen Guns Classified as Firearms (902 KB) |
This circular announces the reclassification of small caliber weapons (such as pen guns) 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 |
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ATF Industry Circular 89-6: Facsimile Transmitted Copies (1365 KB) |
The purpose of this circular is to advise industry members that an ATF ruling will be published in a future issue of the ATF Quarterly Bulletin. The ruling will read substantially as follows: The ATF has been asked whether certain forms and other documents could optionally be transmitted to the Bureau by means of facsimile machines. | Resource Center | Industry Circular |
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Puerto Rico-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law (69 KB) | Open Letter to All FFL's regarding Brady Law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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North Carolina-Oct1998-Open Letter-Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law.pdf (713 KB) | October 1991 Open Letter to all FFL's regarding Brady Law. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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South Dakota-March 2021-Open Letter-Regular Concealed Carry Permit as NICS Alternative (206 KB) |
A South Dakota Regular Concealed Carry Permit, issued on or after July 1, 2018, can be used as an alternative to the required NICS background check. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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SB Criteria Withdrawal Notice 12-23-20.pdf (106 KB) |
ATF is announcing the withdrawal of a notice and request for comments entitled “Objective Factors for Classifying Weapons with ‘Stabilizing Braces’,” that was published on December 18, 2020. | Firearms | General Notice |
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2003-1 — Importation of Browning M1919 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (213 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Browning M1919 type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2010-2 - Visibility of Marks on Explosives Containers Stored in Magazines (29 KB) |
ATF authorizes alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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All FFLs-May2013-Open Letter-Prohibited Transfers of Firearms to Foreign Purchaser (76 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to advise federal firearms licensees that arranging for the exportation of firearms and ammunition through in-person disposition to foreign purchasers at airline ticket counters of local international airports violates the Gun Control Act of 1968. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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2003-4 - Importation of Sten Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale.pdf (194 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Sten type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2007-3 - Preloading and Temporary Storage of Blasting Agents on Bulk Delivery Vehicles (21 KB) |
Under specified conditions, blasting agents may be stored in mobile type 5 magazines (bulk trucks) without meeting 27 CFR 555.211 immobilization requirements.
| Explosives | Ruling |
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2003-3 — Importation of Heckler & Koch G3 Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (230 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the Heckler & Koch G3 type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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2003-2 — Importation of FN FAL Type Receivers for Unrestricted Commercial Sale (188 KB) |
An ATF-approved method of destruction for the FN FAL type machinegun will result in the severed portions of the receiver being importable for unrestricted commercial sale. | Firearms | Ruling |
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All FFLs-Jan2013-Open Letter-Facilitating Transfers of Firearms Between Private Individuals (298 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to remind all Federal firearms licenses (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals thorough their businesses. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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2002-6 - Identification of Firearms, Armor Piercing Ammunition, and Large Capacity Ammunition Feeding Devices (76 KB) |
In accordance with 27 CFR 178.92 and 27 CFR 179.102, identification of firearms, armor piercing ammunition, and large capacity ammunition feeding devices, the terms "conspicuously" and "legibly" as used therein mean, respectively, that the markings are wholly unobstructed from plain view and that the markings contain exclusively Roman letters and Arabic numerals. | Firearms | Ruling |
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All FFLs-May2006-Open Letter-New E-mail Service Available to Federal Firearms Licensees (26 KB) |
ATF is offering Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) a new option to receive ATF information by email. This voluntary service will allow FFLs to receive newsletters, open letters, and important notices by email. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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2014-1 - Manufacturing/Inventory of Machineguns for LE and Military (49 KB) |
A manufacturer licensed and qualified under the GCA and NFA may manufacture and maintain an inventory of machine guns for future sale to federal, state, or local government agencies without a specific government contract or official request; provided, the machine guns are properly registered, and their subsequent transfer is conditioned upon and restricted to the sale or distribution of such weapons for the official use of federal, state, or local government agencies. A manufacturer may deliver machine guns it has manufactured to another qualified manufacturer for any manufacturing process; provided, the first manufacturer maintains continuous dominion or control over the machine guns. A manufacturer may transfer machine guns it has manufactured for present or future sale to a federal, state, or local government agency to another qualified manufacturer for any manufacturing processes or storage; provided, the manufacturer has a specific government contract or official written request documenting that it is an agent of the government agency requesting and authorizing such transfer. ATF Ruling 2004-2 is clarified.
| Firearms | Ruling |