Data / Federal rules / 2026-01141
Revising Definition of “Unlawful User of or Addicted to Controlled Substance”
The Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau published this final rule in the Federal Register on January 22, 2026. It took effect on January 22, 2026. Comments closed on June 30, 2026.
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What the agency says
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") is amending Department of Justice ("Department") regulations to update the definition of "unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance," a category of persons who may not possess firearms under federal law. This definition was established in 1996 to facilitate operation of the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Since then, court decisions and ATF internal guidance have evolved to include recurring use as a factor. As a result, ATF is aligning the definition with the best statutory understanding, as informed by judicial decisions.
Key facts
- Document number
- 2026-01141
- Type
- Final rule
- Action
- Interim final rule; request for comments
- Agency
- Justice Department; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau
- Published
- January 22, 2026
- Takes effect
- January 22, 2026
- Comments due
- June 30, 2026
- Dates
- This interim final rule ("IFR") is effective on January 22, 2026. Comments must be submitted in writing, and must be submitted on or before (or, if mailed, must be postmarked on or before) June 30, 2026. Commenters should be aware that the federal e-rulemaking portal comment system will not accept comments after midnight Eastern Time on the last day of the comment period. ATF will publish a final rule in the Federal Register adopting the IFR as final with any changes in response to public comments or adopting the IFR as final without change.
- Docket
- Docket No. ATF-2026-0034; ATF No. 2025R-54T
- Regulation ID (RIN)
- 1140-AB03
- Code of Federal Regulations
- 27 CFR 478
- Topics
- Administrative practice and procedure; Arms and munitions; Exports; Freight; Imports; Intergovernmental relations; Law enforcement officers; Military personnel; Penalties; Reporting and recordkeeping requirements; Research; Seizures and forfeitures; Transportation
- Pages
- 11
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Everything from the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau · Rules on administrative practice and procedure · Rules on arms and munitions · Rules on exports · Published in January 2026
Read from the Federal Register API, last updated 2026-10-23. The document on federalregister.gov is the official record; dates and dockets can change through later corrections. Free to reuse with credit to SpecStream under CC BY 4.0.