ATF final rule adds NICS check to NFA making-application regulation

ATF’s May 6, 2026 final rule amended its NFA making-application regulation to specify a NICS background check during approval, reflecting a check ATF said it already performed. A May 26 Federal Register correction fixed the rule’s authority citation. ATF’s later October 9 open letter announced a separate enforcement policy that no longer requires NFA approval for making certain $0-tax items, while other categories remain subject to NFA rules. Read the linked rule and later letter for the relevant category.

Source: Federal Register / ATF