ATF Publishes New Ruling Authorizing Marking of Certain Destructive Devices

By Justin Stakes

Washington, DC -(AmmoLand.com)- On August 5, 2016, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) published a ruling (see below) authorizing the marking of certain destructive devices manufactured for the United States with sequential lot numbers, if the conditions of the ruling are met.

I. Background

The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) imposes licensing requirements on persons who engage in the business of manufacturing, importing, or dealing in firearms. The term “firearm” is defined to include “destructive devices.” The term “destructive device” is defined to include any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, missile having a charge of more than one-quarter ounce, or mine. The GCA also requires that licensed manufacturers and licensed importers mark the firearms they manufacture and import with an individual serial number and other information specified in the regulations. ATF has the authority to approve variances authorizing alternate means of marking firearms, including destructive devices.