Data / Federal rules / 2026-09182
Revising Firearms Transaction Record, “Form 4473”
The Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau published this proposed rule in the Federal Register on May 8, 2026. Comments closed on August 6, 2026.
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What the agency says
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 Instant Criminal Background Check System ("NICS") check; permitting electronic forms and notice, auto-populating, and attached copies; addressing private party transfers and firearms handler checks; incorporating ATF rulings and other guidance; further aligning regulations with statutory text; and making minor technical revisions.
Key facts
- Document number
- 2026-09182
- Type
- Proposed rule
- Action
- Notice of proposed rulemaking
- Agency
- Justice Department; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau
- Published
- May 8, 2026
- Comments due
- August 6, 2026
- Dates
- Comments must be submitted in writing, and must be submitted on or before (or, if mailed, must be postmarked on or before) August 6, 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.
- Docket
- Docket No. ATF-2026-0001; ATF 2025R-01P
- Regulation ID (RIN)
- 1140-AA82
- 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
- 16
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| Fingerprint and Photograph Requirements for Firearms Applications 2026-13587 | Proposed rule | Jul 6 |
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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 May 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.