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DOJ/ATF RIN: 1140-AB03 Publication ID: 2026 
Title: ●Revising Definition of "Unlawful User of or Addicted to Any Controlled Substance" 
Abstract:

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives is amending regulations to update the definition of unlawful user of a controlled substance, a category of persons who may not possess firearms under federal law. ATF created its implementing regulatory definition in 1996 to facilitate the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. Since then, court decisions and ATF internal guidance have evolved to include recurring use as a factor. As a result, ATF is updating its regulations to align with this evolution and ensure it does not interfere with the ability to purchase firearms based on incorrect applications of the term.

 
Agency: Department of Justice(DOJ)  Priority: Other Significant 
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Final Rule Stage 
Major: No  Unfunded Mandates: No 
EO 14192 Designation: Deregulatory 
CFR Citation: 27 CFR 478.11   
Legal Authority: 5 U.S.C. 552(a)    18 U.S.C. 847    18 U.S.C. 921-931    44 U.S.C. 3504(h)   
Legal Deadline:  None
Timetable:
Action Date FR Cite
Interim Final Rule  01/22/2026  91 FR 2698   
Interim Final Rule Effective  01/22/2026 
Final Rule  01/00/2027 
Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: No  Government Levels Affected: None 
Small Entities Affected: No  Federalism: No 
Included in the Regulatory Plan: No 
RIN Data Printed in the FR: No 
Agency Contact:
Vivian Chu
Chief
Department of Justice
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
99 New York Avenue NE,
Washington, DC 20226
Phone:202 648-7070
Email: ora@atf.gov