# 2026-08915: ATF Eases Gun Markings: DIY Firearm Builders Get a Bureaucratic Break

2026-08915, Allowing Makers To Adopt Certain Markings for National Firearms Act Firearms, 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) July 6, 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/2026-08915
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-08915
- Title: Allowing Makers To Adopt Certain Markings for National Firearms Act Firearms
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Justice Department; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau
- Citation: 91 FR 24466
- 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) July 6, 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: 2026-07-06
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: yes
- Regulation identifier numbers: 1140-AA70
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

ATF Eases Gun Markings: DIY Firearm Builders Get a Bureaucratic Break

## Summary

The ATF wants to make it easier for people who build special firearms under the National Firearms Act (NFA) by letting them use certain existing markings on their guns instead of creating new ones. This change affects makers of NFA firearms and aims to simplify the process without extra costs. Comments on this proposal are open until July 6, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!

## Abstract

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending Department of Justice ("Department") regulations to allow persons making National Firearms Act ("NFA") firearms to adopt certain markings previously placed on the firearm to comply with NFA marking requirements.

## Effects PRIA read

- Makers can adopt existing markings: benefit, low. If you make a National Firearms Act (NFA) firearm by remanufacturing or altering an existing Gun Control Act (GCA) firearm, you may adopt the original manufacturer's serial number and other identifying markings instead of adding your own. ATF estimates professional marking services cost about $54 p…
- Gunsmiths may lose marking revenue: cost, low. Firearms dealers and gunsmiths who provide NFA marking services may see reduced demand because makers converting GCA firearms could stop paying for marking. ATF cites about 45,000 Type 1 (dealer) FFLs in total and says an unknown subset performs this marking, so the rule could cause an unknown redu…
- Makers from raw materials still must mark: cost, low. If you make an NFA firearm from raw materials (not by altering an existing GCA firearm), you must still place the required serial number and maker identifying information on the firearm as required by 27 CFR 479.102. This proposed change does not alter marking obligations for NFA firearms made from…

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- [2026-09155](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-09155): Changes to National Firearms Act Tax Remittance Provisions, 2026-05-08

## Sources
- [2026-08915 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/06/2026-08915/allowing-makers-to-adopt-certain-markings-for-national-firearms-act-firearms)
- [2026-08915 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-06/pdf/2026-08915.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-08914, Importing Training Rounds](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08914)
- [Next: 2026-08916, Clarifying Interstate Transportation of Firearms Under the Gun Control Act](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08916)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08915 (as of 2026-06-11).