On April 11, 2022, the Attorney General signed ATF final rule 2021R-05F, Definition of “Frame or Receiver” and Identification of Firearms. The goal of the final rule is to ensure the proper marking, recordkeeping, and traceability of all firearms manufactured, imported, acquired and disposed by federal firearms licensees.
The rule will go into effect August 24, 2022; 120 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register.
Read the final rule in the Federal Register
Summary
On April 11, 2022, the Attorney General signed ATF final rule, Definition of “Frame or Receiver” and Identification of Firearms, amending ATF’s regulations by removing and replacing the regulatory definitions of “firearm frame or receiver” and “frame or receiver” using examples and diagrams to clearly convey what is a “frame or receiver,” amending the definitions of “firearm” and “gunsmith,” providing definitions of terms such as “complete weapon,” “complete muffler or silencer device,” “privately made firearm” and “readily,” and amending regulations on marking and recordkeeping.
Related Resources
- New Open Letter to All Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) - Impact of Final Rule 2021-05F on Partially Complete Polymer80, Lone Wolf, and Similar Semiautomatic Pistol Frames
- Open Letter to All Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) - Impact of Final Rule 2021-05F on Partially Complete AR-15/M-16 Type Receivers
- FINAL RULE 2021R-05F-Definition of "Frame or Receiver" and Identification of Firearms (YouTube video)
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Definition of “Frame or Receiver” and Identification of Firearms; Corrections
- Overview of Final Rule 2021R-05F Definition of “Frame or Receiver” and Identification of Firearms
- New Training Aid for the Overview of Final Rule 2021R-05F Definition of "Frame or Receiver" and Identification of Firearms and SBA Compliance Guide (PDF, 858.76 KB)
- Regulatory Impact Analysis and Final Regulatory Flexibility Analysis (PDF, 1.04 MB)
- Press Release: Justice Department Announces New Rule to Modernize Firearm Definitions
- DOJ Fact Sheet: Privately Made Firearms (PMFs), aka “Ghost Guns,” “Buy-Build-Shoot” kits, and the “Frame or Receiver” Final Rule
- Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM)
- NPRM Regulatory Impact Analysis (PDF, 430 KB)
- NPRM Comments
- ATF eRegulations
Questions and Answers
1. What is a Privately made firearm (PMF)?
A PMF is a firearm, including a frame or receiver, completed, assembled, or otherwise produced by a person other than a licensed manufacturer, and without a serial number placed by a licensed manufacturer at the time the firearm was produced. The term shall not include a firearm identified and registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record pursuant to chapter 53, title 26, United States Code, or any firearm manufactured or made before October 22, 1968 (unless remanufactured after that date).
2. How should FFLs identify PMFs in their A&D record and ATF Form 4473?
FFLs must record “Privately Made Firearm” or “PMF” as the manufacturer in the A&D record and ATF Form 4473. If an FFL is remanufacturing a PMF, see question 33 for marking requirements.
3. Is a licensee, who receives a PMF solely for marking a serial number, required to complete an ATF Form 4473 and conduct a NICS check prior to returning the PMF to the customer?
No. Marking serial numbers on PMFs is a “customization” and a licensee’s return of a firearm, received solely for repair or customization, to the person from whom it was received does not require an ATF Form 4473 pursuant to 478.124(a) nor a NICS background check. However, licensees must record the acquisition and disposition of the PMF in the licensee’s A&D record.
4. Is a licensee required to mark a PMF received for adjustment or repair that is returned to the person from whom it was received?
A licensee is not required to mark a PMF received for same day adjustment or repair that the licensee returns – on the same day as it was received – to the person from whom it was received. Furthermore, a licensee is not required to record an A&D entry, nor execute an ATF Form 4473, nor run a NICS background check when such firearm received under these conditions is returned to the customer from who received.
5. Is a licensee required to complete an ATF Form 4473 and conduct a background check before transferring a PMF to an individual other than from whom it was received?
Yes. A PMF acquired by a licensee, for any purpose, that is returned to a person other than the person from whom it was received requires the licensee to mark the PMF appropriately (if not already marked pursuant to 478.92(a)(2)), record the PMF as an acquisition and disposition in their A&D record, record the transaction on an ATF Form 4473, and conduct a NICS background check before transferring the firearm.
View All Final Rule - 2021R-05F Questions and Answers
Contact Us
For questions regarding the application of the final rule, contact the Firearms Industry Programs Branch at FIPB@atf.gov.
For technical questions regarding firearms, contact the Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division at fire_tech@atf.gov.
For questions regarding the rulemaking process, contact the Office of Regulatory Affairs at ORA@atf.gov.