Federal Shutdown Guidance from NSSF

As you are likely aware, beginning on Sunday morning, the federal government appears all but certain to shut down due to Congress not having passed spending bills to keep the government open. This will disrupt the ability of many industry members to conduct business as parts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) and the Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) will close.

More information on the Department of Defense’s contingency plan can be found here.

FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), however, is expected to remain open. However, most other ATF services to the industry will not be staffed, including National Firearms Act (NFA) Division for commercial activity, Imports branch, Firearm and Ammunition Technology Division (FATD), etc. It is unclear if the licensing center will remain open. BIS and DDTC export licensing are expected to cease, too. If your license expires during the shutdown, you should contact your local ATF office to confirm that your license remains valid during the shutdown. It is difficult to predict how long a government shutdown will last.

NSSF^® is monitoring the situation and will continue to provide updates and report further developments as warranted.