Federal Shutdown Guidance from NSSF^®

As you are likely aware, last night at 12:01 a.m., the federal government shut down due to a failure to reach agreement on a Continuing Resolution funding bill to keep the government open. This will disrupt the ability of industry members to conduct normal commercial 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 because the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) does not deem these industry services as “essential.”

FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), however, is expected to remain open as it has in prior shutdowns. Most other ATF services to the industry, however, will not be fully staffed, including National Firearms Act (NFA) Division for commercial activity, Imports branch, Firearm and Ammunition Technology Division (FATD), Federal Firearms Licensing Center (FFLC), etc. Forms, applications and other communications can be submitted to ATF but they will not be processed during the shutdown. Services tied to law enforcement, military and national security will continue as they are likely to be deemed “essential” by OMB.

If the shutdown is for an extended period, there is some hope that ATF might be permitted by OMB and DOJ to resume the commercial processing of NFA forms. There is no definitive time period as to when NFA forms might resume being processed.

Commercial export licensing and related services by BIS and DDTC will also be suspended during the shutdown as "non-essential."

If your federal firearms license expires during a shutdown, you should contact your local ATF office to confirm that your license remains valid during the government shutdown.

We are requesting further guidance from ATF, BIS and DDTC.