Proposed Rule 2026-05-08 Updated 160 days ago
Where it stands
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") is proposing to amend Department of Justice ("Department") regulations governing ATF Form 5300.9, Firearms Transaction Record, ("Form 4473"). Specifically, ATF proposes streamlining identity and residence verification requirements and documents; doubling the performance timeframe for transactions under Form 4473 following a National
In legal terms
Some states require a permit or license just to buy a firearm, sometimes with training, fees and long processing times.
The legal fight is whether those requirements, and how long they take, are a reasonable condition or an obstacle to exercising the right.
What this means, in plain English
Some states require a permit or license just to buy a firearm, sometimes with training, fees and long processing times.
The legal fight is whether those requirements, and how long they take, are a reasonable condition or an obstacle to exercising the right.
Permit and licensing rules decide how much time, cost and discretion a state can put between a law-abiding person and a firearm.
Timeline
Key terms
- Bruen (2022)
- The Supreme Court case that struck down New York's rule requiring a special reason to get a permit to carry in public (2022, 6-3). It left "shall-issue" permit systems in place. It set the test courts use today: if the Second Amendment's text covers what you did, the government must show its law fits the country's historical tradition of firearm regulation.
Related
Licensee “eZ Check” Verification for Transfers; Withdrawing Direct Final Rule
Due to receiving adverse comments, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") is withdrawing the direct final rule, "Licensee "eZ Check" Verification for Transfers," published on May 6, 2026.
Registering NFA Firearms That Fall Out of Government Contract
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending Department of Justice ("Department") regulations implementing a statutory exemption and a statutory authority to grant relief from certain National Firearms Act ("NFA") requirements to better distinguish between them. ATF also proposes to amend manufacturer registration requirements to include a provision granting r
Implementing the Safe Explosives Act
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") is finalizing two Department of Justice ("Department") interim final rules ("IFRs") implementing the Safe Explosives Act. This rule formally ends those rules' interim status, responds to public comments from 2003 on the IFRs, rescinds ATF Ruling 2003-5 issued in response to IFR comments, and makes certain revisions to IFR provisions
Sources: court dockets, the Federal Register, DOJ releases and Congress.gov. Informational only, not legal advice. Items marked Unverified are awaiting review.