Guidance Documents

Guidance Documents

Component Document Issued Posted ID Topic Overview
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2003-5- Distribution of Explosives to Limited Permittees May 23, 2003 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312846 Explosives This ruling advises of the alternate method or procedure wherein 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.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2004-2 - Temporary Importation of Firearms Subject to the NFA April 7, 2004 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312851 Firearms This ruling advises of the alternate method or procedure for importers to use when temporarily importing firearms subject to the NFA, the GCA and the Arms Export Control Act for inspection, testing, calibration, repair, or incorporation into another defense article.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2004-3- Locking Requirements for Indoor Type 4 Storage Magazines June 5, 2004 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312856 Explosives This ruling advises of suitability of certain types of locks for type 4 indoor storage magazines utilized for the storage of low explosives.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2004-5- Minigun Ruling August 4, 2004 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312861 Firearms This ruling advises that the 7.62mm Aircraft Machine Gun, identified in the U.S. military inventory as the "M-134" (Army), "GAU-2B/A" (Air Force), and "GAU-17/A" (Navy), is a machinegun as defined by 26 U.S.C. 5845(b). Rev. Rul. 55-528 modified.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2005-2- Meaning of Term Highway September 8, 2005 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312866 Explosives This ruling advises on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2005-3- Meaning of Term Inhabited Building November 25, 2005 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312871 Explosives This ruling provides guidance on two situations involving structures and whether they are "inhabited buildings" as defined in 27 CFR Part 555.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2005-4- A Ported Device Attached to the Barrel of a Paintball Gun October 12, 2005 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312876 Firearms This ruling advises that 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.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2006-2- Classification of Devices Exclusively Designed to Increase the Rate of Fire of a Semiautomatic Firearm December 13, 2006 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312881 Firearms This ruling explains that the NFA and GCA definition of machinegun includes a part or parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun. This language includes a device that, when activated by a single pull of the trigger, initiates an automatic firing cycle that continues until the finger is released or the ammunition supply is exhausted.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2007-1- Maintaining Required Explosives Records in Computerized Form January 18, 2007 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312886 Explosives This ruling describes an alternate method procedure wherein under specified conditions, approval is granted to utilize computerized records as required records under 27 CFR 555, Subpart G.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2007-2- Temporary Storage of Display Fireworks January 18, 2007 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312891 Explosives This ruling describes an alternate method procedure wherein under specified conditions, display fireworks may be temporarily stored in locked, attended motor vehicles at explosives magazine site(s) and fireworks display site(s) without meeting 27 CFR 555.210 locking requirements provided certain security measures are in place.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2007-3- Preloading and Temporary Storage of Blasting Agents on Bulk Delivery Vehicles January 26, 2007 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312896 Explosives This ruling describes an alternate method procedure wherein under specified conditions, blasting agents may be stored in mobile type 5 magazines (bulk trucks) without meeting 27 CFR 555.211 immobilization requirements.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2008-1- Fabrique Nationale Herstal SA (FN) FNC Rifle May 27, 2008 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312901 Firearms This ruling advises that the upper assembly of the Fabrique Nationale Herstal SA (FN) FNC rifle is classified as the receiver of the firearm for purposes of the Gun Control Act, 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2009-1- Firearms Manufacturing Activities-Camouflaging or Engraving Firearms January 12, 2009 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312906 Firearms This ruling advise that the licensing requirements under the GCA for persons engaging in the business, activity or process that primarily adds to or changes a firearm's appearance, by camouflaging a firearm by painting, dipping, or applying tape, or by engraving the external surface of a firearm.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2009-2- Installation of Drop In Replacement Parts January 12, 2009 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312911 Firearms This ruling advises on "drop in" replacement parts on fully, assembled firearms and applicable licensing requirements under the GCA.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2009-5- Firearms Manufacturing Activities Identification Markings of Firearms November 9, 2009 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312916 Firearms This ruling advises on the exception to marking requirements for licensed manufacturers who perform a manufacturing process on firearms for, or on behalf of, another licensed manufacturer, provided such firearms already have been properly marked with a serial number and other identifying markings required by 27 CFR 478.92(a) and 479.102(a), provided all other requirements stated in this ruling have been met.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2010-1- Temporary Assignment of a Firearm by an FFL to an Unlicensed Employee May 20, 2010 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312921 Firearms This ruling advises on the requirements for temporary assignment of a firearm by an FFL to its unlicensed employees for bona fide business purposes, where the actual custody of the firearm is transferred for a limited period of time, and where title and control of the firearm remain with the FFL; and by an FFL to its unlicensed agents, contractors, volunteers, or any other person who is not an employee of the FFL, even for bona fide business purposes.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2010-2- Visibility of Marks on Explosives Containers Stored in Magazines June 4, 2010 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312926 Explosives This ruling describes an ATF approved alternate method procedure for the 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.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2010-3- Identification of Maxim Side-Plate Receivers September 28, 2010 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312931 Firearms This ruling advises that the right side-plate of a Vickers/Maxim-type firearm, manufactured with its camming lobe affixed in the proper location, and without an ATF approved block that prevents installation of machinegun fire control components, is a machinegun receiver, and therefore, a machinegun as defined by the GCA and NFA.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2010-6- State of Residence November 10, 2010 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312936 Firearms This ruling advises that for the purpose of acquiring firearms under the GCA, a U.S. citizen who temporarily resides in a foreign country, but also demonstrates the intention of making a home in a particular State, is a resident of the State during the time period he or she actually resides in that State. The intention must be demonstrated to a Federal firearms licensee by presenting valid identification documents.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2010-7- Perforating Gun Storage November 24, 2010 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312941 Explosives This ruling describes an ATF approved alternate method or proceudre for alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store loaded perforating guns outside of a locked magazine provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2010-10- Manufacturing Operations Maybe Performed by Licensed Gunsmiths Under Certain Conditions December 27, 2010 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312946 Firearms This ruling advises that any person licensed as a dealer-gunsmith who repairs, modifies, embellishes, refurbishes, or installs parts in or on firearms (frames, receivers, or otherwise) for, or on behalf of a licensed importer or manufacturer, is not required to be licensed as a manufacturer under the GCA, provided that the firearms for which services are rendered fall under certain conditions.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2011-1- Importers Consolidated Records January 26, 2011 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312951 Firearms This ruling describes an ATF approved alternate method or procedure for licensed importers to consolidate their records of importation or other acquisition of firearms and their separate firearms disposition records, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2011-2- Locking Requirements for Outdoor Type 5 Bin and Silo Magazines February 18, 2011 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312956 Explosives This ruling describes an ATF approved alternate method or procedure for storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store bulk blasting agents in outdoor type 5 bin or silo magazines without the specified locks provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling have been met.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2011-3- Alternate Locks Authorized for Explosives Magazines June 23, 2011 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312961 Explosives This ruling advises that ATF authorizes alternate use of hidden-shackle "hockey puck" locks, recessed padlocks, and padlocks with boron alloy shackles to secure explosives magazines, provided all of the requirements stated of this ruling have been met.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2011-4- Pistols Configured from Rifles; Rifles Configured from Pistols July 25, 2001 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312966 Firearms This ruling advises on when unassembled parts and configurations of parts of pistols, rifles, handguns or other weapons that result in a  firearm as defined under the NFA, 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(3) and (a)(4); and 26 U.S.C. 5845(a)(4).

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