Base
Proposed RuleOpen for Comment2026-091542026-05-08

Joint Registration for Spouses Under the National Firearms Act

Justice Department, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau

Abstract

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending Department of Justice ("Department") regulations to authorize spouses to file a joint application to make, transfer or receive, and register a firearm under the National Firearms Act ("NFA"). If the joint application is approved, both spouses would have a joint right to make or possess the firearm(s), and transferring the firearm(s) between the registered spouses would not constitute a further transfer within the meaning of the NFA, thus not requiring a transfer application.

Action & Dates

Action
Notice of proposed rulemaking.
Dates
Comments must be submitted in writing, and must be submitted on or before (or, if mailed, must be postmarked on or before) July 7, 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.

CFR References

Topics

Administrative practice and procedureArms and munitionsExportsImportsMilitary personnelPenaltiesReporting and recordkeeping requirementsSeizures and forfeituresTaxesTransportation

Public Comment

Comments Close
2026-07-07 — Open for comment

Document Excerpt

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 479 [Docket No. ATF-2026-0336; ATF No. 2025R-13P] RIN 1140-AB00 AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, Department of Justice. ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking. SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (“ATF”) proposes amending Department of Justice (“Department”) regulations to authorize spouses to file a joint application to make, transfer or receive, and register a firearm under the National Firearms Act (“NFA”). If the joint application is approved, both spouses would have a joint right to make or possess the firearm(s), and transferring the firearm(s) between the ( printed page 25244) registered spouses would not constitute a further transfer within the meaning of the NFA, thus not requiring a transfer application. DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing, and must be submitted on or before (or, if mailed, must be postmarked on or before) July 7, 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. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN 1140-AB00, by either of the following methods— Federal e-rulemaking portal: https://www.regulations.gov . Follow the instructions for submitting comments. Mail: ATF Rulemaking Comments; Mail Stop 6N-518, Office of Regula

Read full document on FederalRegister.gov →

Full Document

Citation: 91 FR 25243