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 |
2013-3 - Adopting Identification of Firearms (52 KB) |
Approved alternate method or procedure for licensed manufacturers and importers of firearms, and makers of NFA firearms, to adopt the serial number, caliber/gauge, and/or model already identified on a firearm without seeking a marking variance, provided all of the conditions in this ruling are met. Licensed manufacturers seeking to adopt all of the required markings, including the original manufacturer’s name and place of origin, must receive an approved variance from ATF. Supersedes ATF Ruling 75-28, and clarifies ATF Industry Circular 77-20.
| Firearms | Ruling |
1981-4 - Auto Sear (13 KB) | The AR15 auto sear is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). | Firearms | Ruling |
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 |
Open Letter Federal Firearms Licensees Ready Ability (238 KB) |
The purpose of this open letter is to remind all Federal firearms licensees (FFL) of their ready ability to enhance public safety and assist law enforcement by encouraging and facilitating transfers of firearms between private individuals through their businesses. | Firearms | Open Letter |
1969-59 - Gunshow Sales at Non-Licensed Premises (43 KB) |
Firearms or ammunition may not be sold at gun shows by a licensed dealer, but orders may be taken under specified conditions | Firearms | Ruling |
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 |
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 |
1975-27 - Renewed Federal Firearms License Conduct of Business (67 KB) | A firearms licensee may continue operations until his renewal application for a license is finally acted upon. | Firearms | 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 |