Posted: 4/29/2026 5:48:22 PM EDT
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ATF is proposing to make a number of rule changes. GD thread on this news. https://www.atf.gov/rules-and-regulations/atf-launches-new-era-reform ATF launched a new era of reform in 2025 focused on a commitment to transparency, accountability, and partnership with the firearms industry, gun owners, and the public. Under new leadership, the agency has fundamentally changed course, moving toward a model built on trust and collaboration. This means working with federal firearms and explosives licensees as partners, reducing unnecessary burdens on law-abiding businesses and citizens, and ensuring ATF’s actions are grounded in clear statutory authority and focused on protecting American communities from violent crime driven by explosives, arson, and the illegal use of firearms. (See link for rest of the ATF annoucment) There are a number of proposed changes like the following: 17P: Allowing Makers to Adopt Certain Markings for National Firearms Act - NPRM ATF is proposing to allow individuals who make National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms by altering existing firearms to adopt markings already applied by the original manufacturer rather than applying additional, redundant markings. Because the original importer and manufacturer’s serial number and markings are already required by statute and regulation, this proposal eliminates a duplicative regulatory requirement while ensuring NFA marking requirements are satisfied. ATF has previously accommodated this practice through individual variances; this proposed rule codifies that accommodation into regulation to provide consistent, clear guidance across the industry. 03P: Interstate Transport and Temporary Export of National Firearms Act - NPRM ATF is proposing to update the administrative process for transporting lawfully registered National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms within the United States. Under the proposal, individuals transporting NFA firearms for short-term purposes (365 days or fewer) would no longer be required to submit advance notice to ATF or await approval before departing. Individuals transporting NFA firearms for long-term purposes (more than 365 days) or permanent relocation would still submit notice but would not need to await ATF approval before transporting. This change to ATF Form 5320.20 (Form 20), per 27 CFR § 478.28, is intended to remove an unnecessary regulatory burden on law-abiding NFA firearm owners without affecting applicable federal, state, or local legal requirements. 15P: Removing CLEO Notification Under the National Firearms Act - NPRM ATF is proposing to remove the requirement for an applicant to forward to the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) of his or her locality a copy of their National Firearms Act (NFA) application to make or transfer a firearm as well as a copy of the Responsible Person Questionnaire (ATF Form 5320.23) required to be completed. The requirement to forward these documents to CLEOs has faced sustained legal challenges and has not achieved its intended public safety outcomes. 18P: Clarifying Interstate Transportation of Firearms under the Gun Control Act - NPRM ATF is proposing to clarify regulations that govern the interstate transportation of firearms by lawful owners. The proposed rule formally recognizes that common, reasonably necessary activities during travel – including overnight stops, vehicle maintenance, refueling, emergency stops, and medical treatments – are considered as a necessary part of “transport,” and are therefore covered under the Firearms Owners’ Protection Act’s interstate transport protections. The proposed rule also updates requirements for transporting ammunition and firearm accessories and clarifies requirements for securing firearms during transit. |
Firearms Policy Coalition The ATF has posted summaries of the new regulations, which include: 1) Repeal Biden's pistol brace rule 2) Revising "engaged in the business" rule 3) Revising machine gun definition in response to Cargill decision 4) Remove requirement for FFLs to post info about Youth Handgun Safety Act 5) Revising 4473 form, including allowing electronic forms and increase the time NICS checks remain valid 6) Allow FFLs to keep electronic records 7) Replace indefinite retention of 4473s with definite time periods of 20 or 30 years 8) Allow “Non-Over-the-Counter” firearm sales by FFLs to residents of the same state 9) Repeal interstate NFA transport notice requirement for trips under 365 days, with all others no longer requiring approval before transport 10) Joint NFA registration for married couples 11) Remove NFA CLEO notification 12) Clarify that "common, reasonably necessary activities during travel" are covered by FOPA transportation protection 13) Allow import of dual-use frames, receivers, and barrels 14) Clarify that "training rounds" are not ammunition 15) Eliminate engraving requirement for people making NFA firearms out of existing serialized guns 16) "Clarify that a person receiving assistance in only one functional area (such as financial management) would not, on that basis alone, be considered prohibited" under mental health disqualifier 17) Requiring biological sex on ATF Forms 18) Clarify when a transaction is a straw purchase 19) Formally define "willfully" for firearms violations 20) "Remove the list of former Soviet countries from which ATF currently denies applications to permanently import most firearms and ammunition, retaining only the Russian Federation" |