Home / Agencies / DOJ / 2026-13587
Proposed Rule

Fingerprint and Photograph Requirements for Firearms Applications

Agency
DOJ
Document Number
2026-13587
Published
July 6, 2026
Effective Date
-

Abstract

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending regulatory requirements to submit fingerprints and photographs with firearms applications. Currently, applicants must submit 2" x 2" passport-style photographs and either one or two fingerprint cards, depending on the application type. ATF proposes that all applicants, whether individuals or responsible persons ("RPs") for entity applicants, could instead submit a copy of a photo ID, and that individuals and Gun Control Act RPs would submit just one fingerprint card. RPs under the National Firearms Act would submit one fingerprint card only if needed to facilitate a background check.

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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2026-13587 Federal Register document?
Document 2026-13587 is a Proposed Rule published by the Department of Justice in the Federal Register on July 6, 2026. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives ("ATF") proposes amending regulatory requirements to submit fingerprints and photographs with firearms applications. Currently, applicants must submit 2" x 2" passport-style photographs and either one or two fingerprint cards, depending on the application type. ATF proposes that all applicants, whether individuals or responsible persons ("RPs") for entity applicants, could instead submit a copy of a photo ID, and that individuals and Gun Control Act RPs would submit just one fingerprint card. RPs under the National Firearms Act would submit one fingerprint card only if needed to facilitate a background check. View the original at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/06/2026-13587/fingerprint-and-photograph-requirements-for-firearms-applications.
Is document 2026-13587 an economically significant rule?
No. Document 2026-13587 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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