News ATF Declares It Will No Longer Offer Classifications on Accessories Submitted Adam Kraut December 11, 2018 Join the Conversation At RECOIL, we review every product fairly and without bias. Making a purchase through one of our links may earn us a small commission, and helps support independent gun reviews. Read our affiliate policy. Find out more about how we test products. Yesterday, ATF released an email to industry members advising that the Firearms Technology Industry Services Branch (“FTISB”) would no longer be offering classification on how an accessory affects the classification of a firearm under the Gun Control Act (“GCA”) or National Firearms Act (“NFA”). FTISB is tasked with, among other things, classifying firearms based on their configuration and design features as either being subject to the controls of the GCA, NFA, or neither. Previously, industry members, and the general public, would be able to submit an accessory and ask ATF to classify it for them. Sometimes these requests would include letters explaining why the accessory should not change the classification of a firearm and other times the requests would just simply ask ATF to determine whether the classification was changed. As of yesterday, ATF will no longer allow individuals or companies to simply send an accessory and ask for a classification, with a limited exception for conditional import determinations. FTISB now requires that an individual or company submit their accessory attached to a firearm in order to render a classification. Which begs an important question that a number of people likely have. If ATF determines that the accessory alters the classification of the firearm, say a pistol to SBR or AOW, will that person or company be subject to criminal charges? In the past, when an item altered a firearms status, ATF would return the item if the submitter had the appropriate SOT that would allow them to manufacture NFA firearms. If the person did not, ATF would not return the accessory. To date, the author has not seen any cases where someone was prosecuted as a result of such a classification. Given this Administration's push for a ban on bump stocks, the timing of this change is…curious. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Adam Kraut is a firearms law attorney practicing in southeastern PA and across the country federally. He hosts The Legal Brief, a show dedicated to crushing the various myths and misinformation around various areas of the gun world and The Gun Collective Podcast. He was also the general manager of a gun store in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Instagram: @theadamkraut Twitter: @theadamkraut Facebook: www.facebook.com/theadamkraut URL: www.adamkraut.com Why you can trust RECOIL Since our founding in 2012, RECOIL remains the premier firearms lifestyle publication for the modern shooting enthusiast. We deliver cutting-edge coverage of guns, gear, accessories and technology. We go beyond basic reviews, providing no B.S. buyer’s guides, hands-on testing and expert analysis on everything from firearms and survival equipment to watches and vehicles. Our reviewers are the backbone of our operation and come from diverse shooting backgrounds: Former law enforcement, military veterans, competitive shooters, seasoned hunters and plain old firearms enthusiasts. Furthermore, we’re not just gun experts, but dedicated journalists who adhere to the strictest standards of our profession. At RECOIL, editorial independence is the foundation of everything we publish and the cornerstone of reader trust. Our editors, writers and content creators make all editorial decisions independently, free from outside influence. That boils down to: advertisers don’t dictate our coverage, the outcomes of our reviews or what we recommend in our buyer’s guides. First and always, our commitment is to our audience—ensuring every review and article is accurate, unbiased, and driven by real-world experience. Whether you’re selecting your next firearm, upgrading your gear, or exploring the latest innovations in the shooting world, RECOIL provides the trusted insights you need to make informed decisions. Learn more about our Editorial Standards and how we review products. NEXT STEP: Download Your Free Target Pack from RECOILFor years, RECOIL magazine has treated its readers to a full-size (sometimes full color!) shooting target tucked into each big issue. Now we've compiled over 50 of our most popular targets into this one digital PDF download. From handgun drills to AR-15 practice, these 50+ targets have you covered. Print off as many as you like (ammo not included). Get your pack of 50 Print-at-Home targets when you subscribe to the RECOIL email newsletter. We'll send you weekly updates on guns, gear, industry news, and special offers from leading manufacturers - your guide to the firearms lifestyle.You want this. Trust Us.
