Rules and Regulations Library
| Title | Description | Category | Document Type |
|---|---|---|---|
 2002-3 - Indoor Storage of Explosives in a Residence or Dwelling (11 KB) |
ATF will approve variances to store explosives in a residence or dwelling only upon certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of a certification of compliance with State and local law, and documentation that local fire safety officials have received a copy of the certification.
| Explosives | Ruling |
|
All FFLs-July2004-Open Letter-ATF Requests Assistance in National Effort to Prevent Terrorism (152 KB) | This open letter provides awareness information for Federal firearms licensees to incorporate in their daily business activities. | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FELs-Jun2003-Open Letter-Reminder Regarding the Limited Permit (166 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to remind Federal explosives licensees and permittees to be vigilant during the Fourth of July holiday and provide information regarding the new intrastate limited permit.
| Explosives | Open Letter |
|
All FELs-May2003-Open Letter-Reminder Regarding Provisions of the Safe Explosives Act (177 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to remind all Federal explosives licensees and permittees that the first provisions of the Act went into effect on January 24, 2003, and the remaining provisions go into effect on May 24, 2003.
| Explosives | Open Letter |
|
All FELs-Nov2002-Open Letter-Safe Explosives Act Provisions for Blasting/Mining Educators (203 KB) |
This open letter provides information for public and private institutes and the provisions pertaining to the Safe Explosives Act
| Explosives | Open Letter |
|
All FELs-May2002-Open Letter-ATF Asks that Explosives Licensees and Permittees Remain Vigilant When Selling Explosive Materials (102 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to ask that you continue to be vigilant in light of heightened security concerns regarding possible terrorist activity involving explosives.
| Explosives | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-July2002-Open Letter-Importer Dealer Sales Samples (42 KB) | This open letter contains information about recent changes that may affect your day-to-day operations and/or long range plans regarding dealer sales samples of machineguns. | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Georgia-July2006-Open Letter-Georgia's Concealed Weapons Permit Again Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check (38 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you may follow beginning July 1, 2006. On this day, Georgia’s Concealed Weapons Permit (CWP) will again qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. Accordingly, the October 17, 2005, Open Letter to Georgia Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) is superseded.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Apr2006-Open Letter-Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 (32 KB) |
This open letter serves to notify Federal firearms licensees that the Child Safety Lock Act of 2005 makes it generally unlawful for “any licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any handgun to any person, other than another licensee, unless the transferee (buyer) is provided with a secure gun storage or safety device for that handgun.”
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Mar2006-Open Letter-Filing National Firearms Act (NFA) Transaction Forms by Facsimile Transmission (35 KB) | This is to update information regarding the filing of certain National Firearms Act (NFA) forms by facsimile transmission as the functions of the NFA Branch have been relocated to Martinsburg, West Virginia from Washington, DC. | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Jan2006-Open Letter-Certain Firearms Transfers Affected by the Change to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 (36 KB) |
The purpose of this Open Letter is to advise all Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) of a recent change to the Atomic Energy Act of 1954, as it relates to the transfer of certain types of firearms.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Jan2006-Open Letter-Change to the Look of the Federal Firearms License (FFL) (50 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to advise you of a change to the look of the Federal firearms license (FFL) beginning January 12, 2006, in response to feedback received from licensees.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Pennsylvania-Dec2005-Open Letter-Private Transfers of Firearms and Using NICS or the Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) (37 KB) |
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has received questions from firearms dealers in Pennsylvania concerning the use of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS)/Pennsylvania Instant Check System (PICS) to do background checks of people who are acquiring firearms from other nonlicensees in what are commonly called “private transfers.”
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Indiana-Dec2005-Open Letter-Procedures for Indiana FFLs Using the Revised ATF Form 4473 (54 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to clarify that the revised ATF Form 4473, Firearms Transaction Record Part I – Over The Counter, has no effect on the procedures Indiana Federal Firearms Licensees must follow in order to comply with the Brady Law. The procedures enumerated in the September 2003 Open Letter To All Indiana Firearms Licensees are still in effect.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Nov2005-Open Letter-Lawful Importation of Certain Firearm Barrels into the United States for Commercial Purposes (35 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to update licensed and registered importers of firearms, ammunition and other regulated commodities on the lawful importation of certain firearm barrels into the United States for commercial purposes.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Northern Mariana Islands-Oct2005-Open Letter-Northern Mariana Island Weapons Identification (39 KB) |
This open letter informs Northern Mariana Island Federal firearms licensees that beginning October 19, 2005, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island Weapons Identification Card Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Alaska-Oct2005-Open Letter-Alaska Concealed Handgun Permits Marked "NICS Exempt" Qualify as NICS Check Alternative (39 KB) |
This open letter informs Alaska Federal firearms licensees that beginning October 19, 2005, only Alaska Concealed Handgun Permits marked “NICS EXEMPT” will qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Virgin Islands-Oct2005-Open Letter-U.S. Virgina Islands Firearms Permits No Longer Alternative to NICS Check (39 KB) |
This open letter informs Federal firearms licensees in the U.S. Virgin Islands that the U.S. Virgin Islands Firearms Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Aug2005-Open Letter-Extension of Time to Effect Importation of Approved Permits for Frames, Receivers or Barrels (34 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to provide important updated information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
Georgia-Apr2005-Open Letter-Georgia Crime Information Center Ceases Operations as NICS Point of Contact (36 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that on July 1, 2005, the Georgia Crime Information Center (GCIC) will cease to operate as the point of contact (POC) for the National Instant Background Check (NICS) program, and to further advise you of the affect these changes may have on firearms transactions conducted under your Federal firearms license.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-July2005-Open Letter-Importation of Frames, Receivers or Barrels of Firearms Under Title 18 U.S.C. § 925(d)(3) (41 KB) | The purpose of this open letter is to provide important information to importers concerning the lawful importation of certain frames, receivers and barrels | Firearms | Open Letter |
|
California-Oct2004-California Entertainment Firearms Permit (35 KB) |
The purpose of this letter is to inform you that, on September 20, 2004, Governor Schwarzenegger approved a change in California law that establishes an Entertainment Firearms Permit, and to further advise you of the affect this new permit may have on firearms transactions conducted under your Federal firearms license.
| Firearms | Open Letter |
|
All FFLs-Sept2004-Open Letter-Expiration of the Ban on the Importation of SAWs and LCAFDs (45 KB) |
This open letter is to advise the import community of the provisions of the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 that no longer apply to the manufacture, transfer and possession of semiautomatic assault weapons (SAWs) and to transfer and possess large capacity ammunition feeding devices (LCAFDs).
| Firearms | Open Letter |
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All FFLs-May2004-Open Letter-Importation of Articles Added by the Amendment to Annex A of the Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) (43 KB) | A decision was agreed upon to amend Annex A of the Voluntary Restraint Agreement (VRA) by adding 74 types of firearms to the list. Please note, that even though these 74 firearms have been added to Annex A, ATF will still need to determine the importability of some of these firearms. | Firearms | Open Letter |
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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 |