Importing Dual-Use Frames, Receivers, or Barrels

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-2026-0070; ATF No. 2025R-09P] RIN 1140-AA96 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 clarify that federal firearms licensees (“FFLs”) may lawfully import frames, receivers, or barrels that may be used on both sporting and non-sporting firearms (“dual-use frames, receivers, or barrels”) if, at the time imported, there is an identified firearm sporting configuration for the frame, receiver, or barrel. Further, once the frame, receiver, or barrel is in the United States, a dual-use frame, receiver, or barrel may be used to assemble a sporting, non-sporting, or National Firearms Act (“NFA”) firearm, provided assembling such firearm complies with other federal firearms laws. 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. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN 1140-AA96, by either of the following methods— Fed…