# 2026-08914: ATF Frees Some Training Rounds from Ammunition Regulations 2026-08914, Importing Training Rounds, is a Federal Register proposed rule from Justice Department, Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau published 2026-05-06, effective Comments must be submitted in writing, and must be submitted on or before (or, if mailed, must be postmarked on or before) August 4, 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.; PRIA reads it as touching household money (as of 2026-06-11). - Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08914 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-08914 - Title: Importing Training Rounds - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Justice Department; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau - Citation: 91 FR 24400 - Published: 2026-05-06 - Effective: Comments must be submitted in writing, and must be submitted on or before (or, if mailed, must be postmarked on or before) August 4, 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. - Comments close: 2026-08-04 - Significant: no - Touches household money: yes - Regulation identifier numbers: 1140-AA97 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line ATF Frees Some Training Rounds from Ammunition Regulations ## Summary The ATF wants to make it clear that some training rounds aren’t considered ammunition under the law, so they won’t be regulated like regular ammo. This change mainly affects importers and sellers of training rounds, but less-lethal ammo still counts as ammunition. You’ve got until August 4, 2026, to share your thoughts before the rule might change how these rounds are handled. ## Abstract The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending Department of Justice ("Department") regulations to clarify that certain training rounds do not meet the definition of "ammunition" as defined by the Gun Control Act and are not regulated by the Arms Export Control Act. Less-than-lethal ammunition, which is distinct from training rounds, will still generally be considered ammunition. ## Effects PRIA read - Training Rounds Not Treated As Ammunition: benefit, medium. ATF proposes to clarify that certain fully assembled training rounds are not "ammunition" under the Gun Control Act because they are not designed for offensive or defensive combat nor for use in a device that constitutes a weapon. If finalized, importers would not need to treat those training round… - No Form 6 / 6A For Training Round Imports: benefit, low. Under the proposal, importers of qualifying training rounds would no longer need to submit ATF Form 5330.3A (Form 6, part I) or ATF Form 5330.3C (Form 6A) for permanent imports. ATF estimates a per-import paperwork time savings of $27.08 and total annual paperwork cost savings of $4,522 (based on 1… - Retail Sales And Consumer Access Expanded: benefit, medium. If finalized, the rule would allow importers and FFLs to import and sell qualifying training rounds for retail or commercial use rather than only under government exceptions. ATF says consumers may see lower prices and more product selection as a result. - Domestic Training-Ammo Makers Face Competition: cost, medium. ATF notes an estimated two domestic entities that may be affected: one small domestic manufacturer likely to face lower prices and demand from foreign competition, and one domestic subsidiary of a larger business that may benefit if it imports. ATF explicitly expects increased competition to the do… - Less‑Than‑Lethal Ammo Still Regulated: cost, low. ATF clarifies that less-than-lethal ammunition (for example, bean bag rounds or rubber pellets used for riot control) remains considered "ammunition" and generally continues to be regulated under the Gun Control Act and AECA. The proposed change applies to training rounds distinct from less-than-le… ## Related documents - [2026-19694](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19694): Annual Notices on Explosive Materials Storage Facilities to Local Fire Authority, 2026-09-25 - [2026-19693](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-19693): Implementing the Safe Explosives Act, 2026-09-25 - [2026-16981](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-16981): Application for Relief From Disabilities Imposed by Federal Laws With Respect to the Acquisition, Receipt, Transfer, Shipment, Transportati…, 2026-08-20 - [2026-13586](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-13586): Registering NFA Firearms That Fall Out of Government Contract, 2026-07-06 - [2026-09160](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-09160): Implementing PATRIOT Act Improvements: Contraband Cigarettes and Smokeless Tobacco, 2026-05-08 - [2026-09155](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-09155): Changes to National Firearms Act Tax Remittance Provisions, 2026-05-08 ## Sources - [2026-08914 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/06/2026-08914/importing-training-rounds) - [2026-08914 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-06/pdf/2026-08914.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-08912, Removing CLEO Notification Under the National Firearms Act](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08912) - [Next: 2026-08915, Allowing Makers To Adopt Certain Markings for National Firearms Act Firearms](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08915) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08914 (as of 2026-06-11).