# 2026-08925: ATF Redefines Gun Shop Neighborhoods: Parking Lots Count as One Big Premises

2026-08925, Definition of Business Premises, 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/2026-08925
- As of: 2026-06-11
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-08925
- Title: Definition of Business Premises
- Type: Proposed Rule
- Agencies: Justice Department; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau
- Citation: 91 FR 24408
- 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-AA69
- Last updated: 2026-06-11

## In one line

ATF Redefines Gun Shop Neighborhoods: Parking Lots Count as One Big Premises

## Summary

The ATF wants to update the rules to say that 'business premises' can include buildings next to each other or those sharing the same parking lot, sidewalk, or road. This change affects businesses dealing with firearms and related regulations. You’ve got until August 4, 2026, to share your thoughts, and this could make managing your business locations easier and clearer.

## Abstract

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending Department of Justice ("Department") regulations to clarify that the term "business premises" includes properties that adjoin each other; or that are adjacent to each other and adjoin the same parking lot, sidewalk, or road.

## Effects PRIA read

- One License for Nearby Business Sites: benefit, medium. If you operate a Federal Firearms License (FFL) business, ATF proposes that 'business premises' can include properties that touch each other (adjoin) or that are near each other (adjacent) and that adjoin the same parking lot, sidewalk, or road. Under this proposal, you could apply for and keep one…
- Estimated License Fee and Time Savings: benefit, medium. ATF estimates that an FFL that avoids a second license may save between $150 and $300 in license fees, and when including estimated staff time saved (using a $74.79 loaded hourly rate), total per-location savings could be about $225 to $375. ATF used the $74.79 loaded hourly figure and estimated 3–…
- Fewer License Applications and Renewals: benefit, low. ATF says this proposed change would likely reduce the number of respondents filing ATF Form 5310.12 (Form 7) and Form 5310.11 (Form 8) because licensees could maintain one license instead of two for qualifying adjoining or adjacent properties. That would reduce paperwork submissions for affected FF…
- Private Dwelling Exclusion Remains: benefit, low. The rule restates that a private dwelling does not count as a business premises if no part of it is open to the public. That means operating a firearms business entirely within a private home area not open to the public would not be treated as a licensed 'business premises' under this definition.

## 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
- [2026-08925 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/06/2026-08925/definition-of-business-premises)
- [2026-08925 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-06/pdf/2026-08925.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-08923, Clarifying Special (Occupational) Tax Payments Per Business Activity](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08923)
- [Next: 2026-08928, Transferring Machine Guns Between Qualified Licensees](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08928)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08925 (as of 2026-06-11).