ATF Definition: Firearm
National Firearms Act (NFA). Title 26, United States Code, Chapter 53. The implementing regulations are found in Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 479. b.
Gun Control Act (GCA). Title 18, United States Code, Chapter 44. The implementing regulations are found in Title 27, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 478. c.
Firearm. The term “firearm” means: (1) a shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length; (2) a weapon made from a shotgun if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length; (3) a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length; (4) a weapon made from a rifle if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length; (5) any other weapon, as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 5845(e); (6) a machinegun; (7) a muffler or a silencer for any firearm whether or not such firearm is included within this definition; and (8) a destructive device, as defined in 26 U.S.C. § 5845 (f).
Other NFA Gun Trust and ATF Related Blog Posts
ATF eForm 4 Now Offers Individual to FFL with SOT
In the first version of the new 2026 ATF eForm's site, the ATF eForm 4 lacked the option to transfer an NFA firearm from an individual to an FFL with a SOT. The only individual option to an FFL wa...
ATF Form 1 NFA Tax Stamp Walk-Through Guide
How to guide and walk-through guide for the ATF Form 1 NFA Tax Stamp Application - ATF 5320.1 Application to Make and Register a Firearm Navigating the ATF paperwork can be confusing at times. Th...
ATF Form 4 NFA Tax Stamp Walk-Through Guide
How to guide and walk-through guide for the ATF Form 4 NFA Tax Stamp Application - ATF 5320.4 Application for Tax Paid Transfer and Registration of Firearm How do I fill out the ATF Form 4 Tax Stam...
