Rules and Regulations Library

Title Description Category Document Type
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
National-Apr2013-Open Letter-USBDC Response to IME Request for Information (169 KB)

This letter is a response by the U.S. Bomb Data Center (USBDC) to the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME) request for information regarding the use of commercial explosives utilized in bombing events in the United States.

Explosives Open Letter
All FFLs-May2013-Open Letter-Prohibited Transfers of Firearms to Foreign Purchaser (64 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
Kansas-July2013-Open Letter-Passage of the Kansas Second Amendment Protection Act (79 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance and information related to the passage of the Kansas Second Amendment Protection Act, Kansas, effective April 25, 2013.

Firearms Open Letter
Louisiana-Apr2015-Open Letter-Louisiana's Concealed Handgun Permit Qualifies as Alternative to to NICS Check (53 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to advise all Louisiana Federal firearms licensees that Louisiana's concealed handgun permit has been determined to qualify as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. 

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Jan2015-Open Letter-Redesign of "Stabilizing Braces" (212 KB)

The purpose of the this open letter is to answer inquiries from the public concerning the proper us of devices marketed as "stabilizing braces."

Firearms Open Letter
All FELs-Jun2014-Open Letter-Black Powder (57 KB)

This is an open letter to all Federal explosives licensees and permittees in regards to inquiries about black powder exceptions under the Federal explosives laws.

Explosives Open Letter
1975-20 - Meaning of Terms "Inhabited Building" (15 KB)

An office or repair shop used in connection with the manufacture, etc., of explosive materials are not "inhabited buildings."

Explosives 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
2007-1 - Maintaining Required Explosives Records in Computerized Form (17 KB)

Under specified conditions, approval is granted to utilize computerized records as required records under 27 CFR 555, Subpart G.

Explosives Ruling
2009-3 - Storage of Explosives in Law Enforcement Explosives Response Vehicles (24 KB)

Under specific conditions, State and local bomb technicians and explosives response teams may store a limited amount of explosive materials within official response vehicles.

Explosives Ruling
All FFLs-Jan2013-Open Letter-Facilitating Transfers of Firearms Between Private Individuals (242 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
ag-o-2650-2003: Federal Register /Vol. 68, No. 21 / Friday, January 31, 2003 /Rules and Regulations (60 KB)

The Department of Justice, Office of the Pardon Attorney (OPA), is exempting a Privacy Act system of records entitled ‘‘Executive Clemency Case Files/Executive Clemency Tracking System (JUSTICE/OPA–001)’’ from subsections (c)(3), (c)(4), (d)(1), (d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(4), and (e)(5) of the Privacy Act. Information in this system relates to the investigation and evaluation of applicants for executive clemency and case-related correspondence regarding such applicants and the clemency process.

Resource Center Ruling
Presidential Memorandum-130116 (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
All FFLs-Dec2012-Open Letter-For Importers the Availability of ATF Form 4587 (ATF F 5330.4) on Pay.gov (28 KB)

This open letter contains information about the availability of ATF F 4587 (ATF F 5330.4), Application to Register as an Importer of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles, on Pay.gov.

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Nov2003-Open Letter-Procedual Guidance Regarding the Handling of ATF Form 4473 After a Firearms Transaction (1121 KB)

This letter serves to provide Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) with procedural guidance regarding the handling of ATF From 4473, Firearms Transaction Record, after a firearm transaction has occurred. 

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Sep2012-Open Letter-Building Positive Working Relationships with Industry Members (161 KB)

This open letter was sent from ATF's Deputy Director to all Federal firearms licensees and all Federal explosives licensees/permittees discussing how ATF continues to work towards maintaining and building positive working relationships industry members, trade associations, law enforcement, and the general public.

Firearms Open Letter
All FELs-Sept2012-Open Letter-Table of Distance Requirements (116 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to provide information regarding ATF revisiting its guidelines for the application of the tables of distances for the storage of certain explosive materials.

Explosives Open Letter
Alaska-Jun2012-Open Letter-Identification Showing Residence is Neither a Street Address or Rural Route and Box Number (155 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to Federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in Alaska regarding firearms transferees whose government issued identification documents indicate a residence address that is neither a street address nor a rural route and box number address. 

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
All FFLs-Dec2011-Open Letter-Future Amendment of Nonimmigrant Alien Provisions (67 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to inform all Federal firearms licensees that ATF is in the process of amending its regulations and forms related to nonimmigrant alien provisions of the Gun Control Act.

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Dec2011-Open Letter-State of Residence (71 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to inform all Federal firearms licensees that ATF will be revising the regulations in 27 C.F.R. Part 478 to conform to the Department of Justice's conclusions by removing the separate 90-day residency requirement for aliens.

Firearms Open Letter
All FELs-Nov2011-Open Letter-Clarify the Definition of "display fireworks" in the Federal Explosives Regulations (105 KB)

The purpose of this letter is to clarify the definition of "display fireworks" in the Federal explosives regulations. 

Explosives Open Letter
All FFLs-Nov2011-Open Letter-Recent Changes to Florida State Law (63 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the recent changes to Florida State law and to assist Federal firearms licensees in complying with Federal firearms laws and regulations and how they may affect Florida county ordinances that require sellers to wait five days before delivering a firearms.

Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-Sept2011-Open Letter-Marijuana for Medicinal Purposes (57 KB)

The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on the issue of marijuana for madicinal purposes and its applicability to Federal firearms laws.

Firearms Open Letter
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