Federal Register #ATF-2026-0337

ATF Proposed Rule Revising Mental Health Definitions for Firearms Regulation

This notice announces a proposed regulatory update by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) regarding firearms regulations: - Government Buyer: - Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Department of Justice - Purpose: - ATF is proposing to revise and clarify the definitions of “adjudicated as a mental defective” and “committed to a mental institution” under the Gun Control Act - The changes aim to align regulatory language with current legal standards and clarify distinctions between intellectual disabilities and mental illnesses - No Products or Services Requested: - This is a regulatory action, not a procurement or solicitation for goods or services - No OEMs, vendors, or part numbers are mentioned - Notable Requirements: - The rulemaking is open for public comment - The update impacts law enforcement, military personnel, and others subject to firearms regulations - Location: - ATF Headquarters, 99 New York Ave. NE, Washington, DC 20226

Description

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) proposes amending Department of Justice regulations to update the definitions of "adjudicated as a mental defective" and "committed to a mental institution." The proposed rule aims to clarify and revise these definitions to better align with legal and regulatory standards, particularly in the context of firearms regulation under the Gun Control Act. The rule includes removing certain provisions that may have been overly broad and clarifying distinctions between the two terms. Comments on the proposed rule must be submitted by August 6, 2026.

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