# 2026-08928: ATF Loosens Machine Gun Swaps for Licensed Pros 2026-08928, Transferring Machine Guns Between Qualified Licensees, 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/2026-08928 - As of: 2026-06-11 - Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts. ## Facts - Document number: 2026-08928 - Title: Transferring Machine Guns Between Qualified Licensees - Type: Proposed Rule - Agencies: Justice Department; Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau - Citation: 91 FR 24485 - 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-AA75 - Last updated: 2026-06-11 ## In one line ATF Loosens Machine Gun Swaps for Licensed Pros ## Summary The ATF wants to make it easier for licensed machine gun makers, importers, and dealers to transfer machine guns between each other, especially when showing guns to the government or closing shop. This update cuts red tape and better matches the law. If you’re involved, get your comments in by July 6, 2026, and no extra fees are expected. ## Abstract The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending Department of Justice ("Department") regulations to update the procedure for transferring machine guns between qualified manufacturers, importers, or dealers. Specifically, the proposed rule would simplify the regulatory requirements for such machine gun transfers pursuant to requests to demonstrate firearms to a government entity or due to a licensee discontinuing business. The proposed changes would allow the implementing regulations to more closely mirror the statutory authority provided by the Gun Control Act. ## Effects PRIA read - Simpler law letters for dealers: benefit, low. If you are a qualified firearms dealer, ATF proposes a simpler law letter process to approve transfers and registration of machine guns manufactured or imported on or after May 19, 1986. Dealers must submit a government letter on agency letterhead with a request, an affirmation that the transfer/po… - Easier approvals to make guns for government: benefit, medium. If you are a qualified manufacturer or importer, ATF proposes to approve applications to make and register machine guns on or after May 19, 1986, when the application shows the weapon is being made at the request and on behalf of a government entity. ATF would remove the current requirement that th… - One-form exit process when ending NFA business: benefit, low. If you intend to discontinue your business involving NFA-regulated firearms, ATF proposes you must notify ATF before relinquishing special occupational taxpayer (SOT) status and transfer post-1986 machine guns. You would use ATF Form 5320.3 (Form 3) both to request approval to transfer firearms and… - Govt can lend unregistered guns for work: benefit, medium. ATF proposes that a U.S. government department or agency may transfer an unregistered machine gun it owns to a qualified licensee under a government contract or letter on government letterhead that says the firearm is transferred under the agency's authority and will be returned. A licensee would n… - Agency says no new fees; deregulatory stance: benefit, low. ATF states the proposed rule would reduce burdens on the industry, would not impose new fees, and the Director certifies it would not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. The Office of Management and Budget determined the rule is not a "significant regulator… ## 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 - [2026-08928 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/06/2026-08928/transferring-machine-guns-between-qualified-licensees) - [2026-08928 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-05-06/pdf/2026-08928.pdf) ## Related - [Previous: 2026-08925, Definition of Business Premises](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08925) - [Next: 2026-08929, Firearm Records Retention Periods](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08929) - [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register) Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-08928 (as of 2026-06-11).