Rules and Regulations Library

Title Description Category Document Type
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-July2009-Open Letter-Selling or Delivering Firearms Frames or Receivers (104 KB) The purpose of the this open letter is to provide guidance on certain regulatory requirements and definitions under the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) about selling or delivering firearm frames or receivers. Firearms Open Letter
Montana-July2009-Open Letter-Guidance Regarding Montana Firearms Freedom Act (73 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) and the passage of the Montana Firearms Freedom Act.
Firearms Open Letter
Tennessee-July2009-Open Letter-Passage of the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act (74 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance on your obligations as a Federal firearms licensee (“FFL”) with respect to the the passage of the Tennessee Firearms Freedom Act that took effect on June 19, 2009. 
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-May2008-Open Letter-Procedual Guidance for Licensed and/or Registered Importers for ATF Form 6A (300 KB) This open letter is a reminder of the procedures to follow when completing ATF Form 6A as outlined in 27 CFR 478.112 and on the instruction page of the form. Firearms Open Letter
National-Jan2008-Open Letter-Submitting Payments to ATF (88 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to provide notification that the ATF will be switching to electronic funds processing (ECP) for all payments received by the agency.
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-June2007-Open Letter-Post Office (P.O.) Boxes or Rural Route Numbers as a Residence Address (296 KB) The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance regarding firearms transferees whose only identification documents indicate only Post Office Box or Rural Route number as a residence address. Firearms Open Letter
Kentucky-Jun2007-Open Letter-Amendment to What was Formerly Known as Kentucky’s Contiguous State Law (250 KB)
The purpose of this open letter is to advise that the recent amendment to what was formerly known as Kentucky’s contiguous state law has no effect on Federal firearms laws and regulations.
Firearms Open Letter
Tribal Law Enforcement-July2006-Open Letter-Misdemeanor Crime of Domestic Violence (375 KB)
This letter is to provide information to tribal law enforcement departments regarding the Omnibus Consolidation Appropriations Act of 1997.  This Act made it unlawful for any person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (MCDV) to ship, transport, possess, or receive firearms or ammunitions.
Firearms Open Letter
New York-May2006-Open Letter-New York's License to Carry and Possess Handguns No Longer Qualifies as Alternative to NICS Check (91 KB)
The purpose of this letter is to advise New York Federal firearms licensees that the New York license to carry and possess handguns  no longer qualifies as an alternative to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. 
Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-July2005-Open Letter-Importation of U.S. Manufactured Surplus Military Firearms Classified as Curios or Relics (101 KB) This Open Letter is to advise all Federal Firearms Licensees and registered importers of U.S. munitions import list articles that ATF was advised by the Department of State, on a case-by-case basis, permit the retransfer of U.S. manufacturing military firearms that were sold or granted by the United States Government classified by ATF as curios or relics. Firearms Open Letter
All FFLs-July2005-Open Letter-Department of State Rescinded Sanctions on Trade in Defense Articles and Services from South Africa (71 KB) The purpose of this open letter is to inform licensed firearms importers and registered importers of U.S. Munitions Import List Articles that the United States Department of State has rescinded the sanctions on trade in defense articles and services from South Africa. Firearms Open Letter
2021R-05 - Notice of Proposed Rulemaking - Definition of Frame or Receiver (1383 KB) Rules and Regulations Rulemaking
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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