Licensee “eZ Check” Verification for Transfers

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 27 CFR Part 478 [Docket No. ATF-2026-0009; ATF No. 2025R-32D] RIN 1140-AA61 AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice. ACTION: Direct final rule. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) is amending Department of Justice (“Department”) regulations to allow federal firearms licensees (“FFLs”) that are transferring a firearm to another FFL to verify the transferee FFL's license through ATF's publicly available “FFL eZ Check” system, as an alternative to the current requirement to obtain a certified copy of the transferee's license. Additionally, because the eZ Check system is accessible, free to use, and updated regularly, this rule removes the now-unnecessary provision that allows a transferor to rely on a certified list provided by a multi-licensed organization for up to 45 days to make transfers to licensees operated by such organization. DATES: This direct final rule is effective on August 4, 2026, unless significant adverse comments are received by June 5, 2026. If ATF receives a significant adverse comment within the stated time that warrant revising the rule (as described under the “Public Participation” heading in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this regulation at Part IV of this preamble), ATF will publish a notice in the Federal Register withdrawing the…