Guidance Documents

Guidance Documents

Component Document Issued Posted ID Topic Overview
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2012-1- Time Period for Marking Firearms Manufactured January 12, 2012 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312971 Firearms This ruling advises on the time period within which manufacturers must mark their firearms.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2012-2- Storage of Display Fireworks in Picking Bins May 29, 2012 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312976 Explosives This ruling describes an an alternate method or procedure for the storage of display fireworks in fixed, unmarked, and uncovered bins inside explosives storage magazines provided all of the requirements of this ruling are met.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2012-3- AFMER Electronic Form July 14, 2012 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312981 Firearms This ruling describes an approved alternate method or procedure for licensed manufacturers to submit the Annual Firearms Manufacturing and Exportation Report (AFMER), ATF Form 5300.11, electronically using ATF eForms, provided all of the conditions set forth in this ruling are met. 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2012-5- Type 4 Magazine Construction July 24, 2012 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312986 Explosives This ruling describes an alternate method or procedure for explosives licensees and permittees to store explosive materials in outdoor type 4 magazines with wood-only floors, provided certain conditions are met.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2013-1- Electronic Form 6 and 6A July 10, 2013 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312991 Firearms This ruling describes an approved alternate method or procedure for individuals, Federal firearms licensees, and registered importers of articles enumerated on the U.S. Munitions Import List (USMIL) to file ATF Form 6 - Part I and Form 6A electronically using ATF eForms, provided certain conditions are met.  Supersedes ATF Rulings 2003-6 and 2010-9.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2013-2- NFA Electronic Forms July 10, 2013 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1312996 Firearms This ruling describes an approved alternate method or procedure for FFLs, legal entities, and government agencies to file ATF Forms 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, and 10 using ATF eForms, provided certain conditions are met.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2013-3- Adopting Identification of Firearms (Superseds ATF Ruling 1975-28) July 10, 2013 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313001 Firearms This ruling describes an 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 certain conditions are met.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2014-1- Manufacturing/Inventory of Machineguns for LE and Military September 4, 2014 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313006 Firearms This ruling advises that a manufacturer licensed and qualified under the GCA and NFA may manufacture and maintain an inventory of machineguns for future sale to Federal, State, or local government agencies without a specific government contract or official request; provided, the machineguns are properly registered, and their subsequent transfer is conditioned upon and restricted to the sale or distribution of such weapons for the official use of Federal, State, or local government agencies.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2015-1- Manufacturing and Gunsmithing January 2, 2015 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313011 Firearms This ruling advises that 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," must be licensed as a manufacturer.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2016-1- Requirements to Keep Firearms Records Electronically April 29, 2016 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313016 Firearms This ruling describes an approved alternate method or procedure for licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, and licensed collectors to maintain their firearms acquisition and disposition records electronically instead of in paper format provided certain conditions are met.  Supersedes ATF Ruling 2013-5.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2016-2- Electronic ATF Form 4473 April 29, 2016 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313021 Firearms This ruling describes an approved alternate method or procedure for FFLs to use an electronic version of Form 4473, instead of the paper format, provided certain conditions are met.  Supersedes ATF Rul. 2008-3.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2016-3- Consolidation of Records Required for Manufacturers April 29, 2016 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313026 Firearms This ruling describes an approved alternate method or procedure for licensed firearms manufacturers to consolidate their records of manufacture or other acquisition of firearms with their separate firearms disposition records, provided certain conditions are met.  Supersedes Ruling 2010-8.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2016-4- Electronic Transmission of Form 6A Information to CBP July 14, 2016 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313031 Firearms This ruling describes an approved alternate method or procedure in lieu of the method or procedure prescribed in the regulations that currently require an importer to submit to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) an original, paper copy of ATF Form 6A, Release and Receipt of Imported Firearms, Ammunition and Implements of War (Form 6A), to import firearms, ammunition, and other defense articles.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2016-5- Marking Variance for Government Defense Contractors August 1, 2016 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313036 Firearms This ruling describes an approved alternate method or procedure to the firearms marking requirements contained in 27 CFR sections 478.92 and 479.102. Specifically, ATF authorizes licensed manufacturers of certain destructive device munitions that are manufactured for and transferred to the U.S. Government (USG) to mark these destructive device munitions with sequential lot numbers,
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2017-1- Revoking Certain Guidance Documents December 20, 2017 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313041 Firearms ATF is revoking several guidance documents; specifically three rulings, one procedure, and two industry circulars.  ATF Procdure 75-4: Procedure incorporated into the Application for Explosives License or Permit, ATF Form 5400.13/16.; Industry Circular 75-10: Industry Circular incorporated into the Application for Explosives License or Permit, ATF Form 5400.13/16.; ATF Ruling 85-3: Ruling made obsolete by amendments to 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(3).;
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2018-1- Revoking Certain Guidance Documents April 30, 2018 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313046 Firearms ATF is revoking several guidance documents; specifically 7 rulings, 1 procedure, and 59 open letters.  The following documents listed, in the order in which they were issued:  Revenue Ruling 69-114; ATF Ruling 75-30; ATF Ruling 7-13; ATF Ruling 77-25; ATF Ruling 77-26; ATF Ruling 80-22; ATF Ruling 80-23; ATF Procedure 80-7; 53 Open letters dated February 1994;
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2010-9- Supporting Documentation for Import Permit Applications November 30, 2010 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313051 Firearms This ruling advises that persons holding a valid Federal firearms license and/or who are registered as importers of articles on the U.S. Munitions Import List importing surplus military defense articles importable as curios or relics, may submit photocopies of the original supporting statements and documents with ATF Form 6, if they certify, under penalties provided by law, that the supporting documentation is true, correct, and complete.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2011-1- Consolidation of Required Records for Importers January 26, 2011 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313056 Firearms This ruling describes an alternate method or procedure from the firearms acquisition and disposition recordkeeping requirements of 27 CFR 478.122. Specifically, ATF authorizes 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) All FELs-Apr2011-Open Letter-Importance of Security When Storing or Transporting Explosive Materials April 1, 2011 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313166 Explosives This open letter reminds all persons holding Federal explosives licenses or permits of the importance of security when storing or transporting explosive materials, in light of continued thefts of vehicles carrying explosive materials along the southwest U.S. border.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) All FELs-Aug2008-Open Letter-Guidance for Pending Natural Disasters August 1, 2008 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313171 Explosives The purpose of this open letter is to help you protect your business premises and inventory in the event of a natural disaster; and provide guidance on what to do if your business premises is damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) All FELs-Feb2003-Open Letter-Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Explosives Regulations February 12, 2003 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313176 Explosives This open letter announces that ATF is issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking affecting federal explosives regulations.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) All FELs-July2011-Open Letter-State/Local Government Entities and Explosives Industry Members Distribution To and Receipt Of Explosive Pest Control Devices (EPCDs) July 1, 2011 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313196 Explosives This letter provides information regarding the distribution to and receipt of explosives for pest control and mitigation purposes by States or their political subdivisions.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2003-6- Electronic Submission of eForm 6 July 11, 2003 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313061 Firearms This ruling advises that persons holding a valid Federal firearms license and/or who are registered as importers of articles on the U.S. Munitions Import List importing seeking to import firearms, ammunition and implements of war may submit the ATF Form 6 electronically using the eForm 6 online electronic filing system, provided such persons have met certain registrationr requirements.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2007-4- Computerized Acquisition and Disposition Record June 26, 2007 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313066 Firearms This ruling advises that a Federal firearms licensee (FFL) who has an approved variance to use a computerized acquisition and disposition record may periodically download the required records to portable data storage devices instead of printing out such records, even if the original variance did not include this provision.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) ATF Ruling 2008-2- Computerized Records August 25, 2008 February 28, 2020 DOJ-1313071 Firearms This ruling advises that under specified conditions, approval is granted to utilize computerized records as required records under 27 CFR 478.121, 478.122, 478.123, and 478.15€, Subpart H.

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