Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Biden Administration Announces New Firearm Rule

Monday, April 18, 2022

Biden Administration Announces New Firearm Rule

On April 11, the Biden Administration announced the finalization of a new firearm rule, and a new nominee to head the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”). The rule, ATF 2021R-05, is substantially the same as when it was proposed last May.

There has been a fair bit of confusion about what the rule does because it changes a number of core definitions in federal law (including the definition of “firearm”). Here are the basics of what the rule does and does not do:

The rule does:

  • Effectively ban certain parts, often referred to as “80% receivers,” that assist individuals in making their own firearms. Under the rule, even receivers that clearly cannot yet function as part of a firearm would be treated legally as a “firearm” under federal law.  
  • Change a number of definitions in federal law that will, going forward, affect which part of a new firearm design will be considered the “frame or receiver.”
  • Require licensed dealers who come into possession of unserialized firearms to place a serial number on the firearm within seven days. Under current law, only licensed importers and manufacturers are required to mark firearms that they import or manufacture.
  • Require the indefinite retention of firearm transaction records by licensed dealers. Under current law, records can be destroyed after 20 years.

The rule does not:

  • Require that AR-15 upper receivers are treated as “firearms.” The proposed rule indicated that ATF intended to consider some firearms as having more than one “frame or receiver.” In response to comments from NRA and others, ATF has abandoned that provision. All existing firearm designs have their current “frame or receiver” classification “grandfathered” under the final rule. Only new firearm designs will be subject to the new “frame or receiver” definitions.
  • Ban the home manufacture of firearms. ATF admits that they do not have the authority to ban home firearm manufacturing. Firearms made by individuals who are not Federal Firearm Licensees, whether made by additive manufacturing or other means, are still not subject to the marking and recordkeeping requirements of federal law.

When the rule was announced, a copy appeared on the ATF’s website, but it has yet to be posted to the Federal Register. Until it is posted, it is not technically finalized. It will take effect 120 days from the date it is posted in the register.

As NRA pointed out in comments on the proposed rule, we strongly oppose this bureaucratic power grab by the Biden Administration and think that large portions of the rule are unlawful because they go well beyond the authority that ATF has been granted by statute. NRA intends to pursue all available means to prevent this rule from going into effect or to block its enforcement.

IN THIS ARTICLE
ATF Joe Biden
TRENDING NOW
U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

Gun Law Effective Dates: It’s Not Just What but When that Counts

News  

Monday, June 16, 2025

Gun Law Effective Dates: It’s Not Just What but When that Counts

The gun owning community is often saddled with a larger responsibility than most in knowing the many laws that govern gun ownership throughout the states.

Intrepid Journalist Tracks Down Truth About “Children” and Firearms, While Public Health Researchers Downplay Inconvenient Realities

News  

Monday, June 16, 2025

Intrepid Journalist Tracks Down Truth About “Children” and Firearms, While Public Health Researchers Downplay Inconvenient Realities

For decades, gun control advocates and their allies in “public health” have pushed a misleading factoid about children and firearms.

Senate Finance Committee Releases Text of Reconciliation Bill

News  

Monday, June 16, 2025

Senate Finance Committee Releases Text of Reconciliation Bill

Today, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance released its portion of the Senate version of the Reconciliation Bill. Late last month, the U.S. House passed a version of the Reconciliation Bill which included Section 2 of the ...

Hogg Gone from DNC

News  

Monday, June 16, 2025

Hogg Gone from DNC

Gun prohibition activist David Hogg’s time in leadership with the Democratic National Committee (DNC) has come to an end.

Gun-Control Window Dressing: Chicago Inspector-General Calls Out Futility of Gun Offender Registry

News  

Monday, June 16, 2025

Gun-Control Window Dressing: Chicago Inspector-General Calls Out Futility of Gun Offender Registry

Fifteen years ago, the City of Chicago adopted a “gun offender registry” ordinance that requires convicted gun offenders to register with the police and have police monitor anyone listed in the registry. 

North Carolina: Permitless Carry Bill Headed to Governor Stein

Wednesday, June 11, 2025

North Carolina: Permitless Carry Bill Headed to Governor Stein

Today, the House of Representatives voted 59-48 to pass Senate Bill 50 (S50), Freedom to Carry NC. The bill now heads to Governor Josh Stein for consideration.

New York: Numerous Anti-Gun Bills Still Moving in Final Days of Session

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

New York: Numerous Anti-Gun Bills Still Moving in Final Days of Session

New York lawmakers are tentatively scheduled to end their 2025 Regular Session this week, which means they are feverishly pushing through hundreds of bills at lightning pace with little or no discussion.  Gun owners are ...

California: Anti-Gun Bills Advance in Legislature Ahead of Deadline

Tuesday, June 10, 2025

California: Anti-Gun Bills Advance in Legislature Ahead of Deadline

Friday June 6 marked the deadline for all bills to pass out of the chamber of origin. Below find an update on notable firearm related bills from this session. Legislation that passed the chamber of ...

Minnesota: Removal of Shotgun-Only Hunting Zones Added to Environmental Omnibus Bill

Friday, June 6, 2025

Minnesota: Removal of Shotgun-Only Hunting Zones Added to Environmental Omnibus Bill

This week outside of regular session, the Environment Omnibus bill was agreed upon. This omnibus bill would remove shotgun-only hunting zones in the state. A special session has been scheduled for Monday, June 9th, for the ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.