Home / Agencies / DOJ / 2026-08929
Proposed Rule

Firearm Records Retention Periods

Agency
DOJ
Document Number
2026-08929
Published
May 6, 2026
Effective Date
-

Abstract

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes to amend Department of Justice ("Department") regulations establishing records retention periods for federal firearms licensees' ("FFLs" or "licensees") acquisition and disposition ("A&D") records, and the retention period for records the National Tracing Center ("NTC") receives. Specifically, ATF is proposing these records be retained for a specific period rather than indefinitely, and is considering either 20 or 30 years for the specified period. ATF is also proposing a brief retention period for forms used to facilitate private-party transfers or to conduct voluntary firearm handlers checks.

Federal Register Source

This document is published by the Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration. Access the full regulatory text, preamble, and docket comments below.

View Full Text on FederalRegister.gov →

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2026-08929 Federal Register document?
Document 2026-08929 is a Proposed Rule published by the Department of Justice in the Federal Register on May 6, 2026. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes to amend Department of Justice ("Department") regulations establishing records retention periods for federal firearms licensees' ("FFLs" or "licensees") acquisition and disposition ("A&D") records, and the retention period for records the National Tracing Center ("NTC") receives. Specifically, ATF is proposing these records be retained for a specific period rather than indefinitely, and is considering either 20 or 30 years for the specified period. ATF is also proposing a brief retention period for forms used to facilitate private-party transfers or to conduct voluntary firearm handlers checks. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/05/06/2026-08929/firearm-records-retention-periods.
Is document 2026-08929 an economically significant rule?
No. Document 2026-08929 is not classified as economically significant under Executive Order 12866. Economically significant rules require OIRA review and are estimated to have impacts of $100 million or more per year.

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