ATF Publishes Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Firearm Silencer Markings

By Justin Stakes

Washington, DC -(AmmoLand.com)- On May 4, 2016, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) published an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) seeking information from interested parties to assist the agency in determining whether to amend the relevant regulations to require that a silencer or firearm muffler be marked on the outer tube only.

The ANPRM is not a proposed or final rule, and no regulatory text has been proposed. Rather, the information gathered from public comments will be used to help the agency decide whether to address the issue through later notice and comment rulemaking.

Background

Pursuant to ATF regulations at 27 CFR §§ 478.92 and 479.102, manufacturers, importers, and makers of National Firearm Act (NFA) firearms are required to affix certain markings to firearm mufflers and firearm silencers. However, the current regulations do not specify a placement for such markings on the device.

ATF does provide guidance to industry in its “Frequently Asked Questions – Silencers.” In this FAQ, dated April 17, 2008, ATF notes that its strong recommendation is to place all required markings on the …Read the Rest

Source:: AmmoLand