Small Arms

The Gun Control Act prohibits importation of handguns and certain rifles that do not meet ATF's sporting-purpose criteria, which evaluate features such as caliber, magazine capacity, folding stocks, and overall configuration. ATF periodically updates its sporting-purpose framework, and a firearm model that was previously importable may lose that status if ATF revises its criteria. Importers should obtain a current ATF determination for each model before placing orders.

Under US law, the serialized receiver or frame is legally the firearm, and it carries the same import permit and FFL requirements as a complete weapon. Importing receivers separately does not reduce regulatory burden and may trigger additional scrutiny if ATF determines the parts are intended to be assembled into a non-importable configuration. Importers should treat receiver imports with the same compliance rigor as complete firearms.