Fingerprint and Photograph Requirements for Firearms Applications

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 Parts 478 and 479 [Docket No. ATF-2026-0397; ATF 2025R-14P] RIN 1140-AA63 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 regulatory requirements to submit fingerprints and photographs with firearms applications. Currently, applicants must submit 2″ × 2″ passport-style photographs and either one or two fingerprint cards, depending on the application type. ATF proposes that all applicants, whether individuals or responsible persons (“RPs”) for entity applicants, could instead submit a copy of a photo ID, and that individuals and Gun Control Act RPs would submit just one fingerprint card. RPs under the National Firearms Act would submit one fingerprint card only if needed to facilitate a background check. DATES: Comments must be submitted in writing, and must be submitted on or before (or, if mailed, must be postmarked on or before) October 5, 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-AA63, by either of the following methods— Federal e-rulemaking portal: https://www.regulations.gov . Follow the …