{"abstract":"The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is amending the regulations to implement the provisions of the Safe Explosives Act, Title XI, Subtitle C of Pub. L. 107-296, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (enacted November 25, 2002). This interim rule implements the law which: requires that all persons receiving explosives on and after May 24, 2003, obtain a Federal license or permit, and creates a new type of permit, the \"limited permit;\" requires applicants for licenses and permits to provide as part of their application the names and appropriate identifying information regarding employees authorized to possess explosive materials as well as fingerprints and photographs of \"responsible persons;\" extends the time for ATF to act on an application for a license or permit from 45 days to 90 days; authorizes warrantless inspections of places of storage maintained by applicants for limited permits and holders of limited permits; provides that only licensees and holders of user permits must post their licenses and permits and make them available for inspection; requires that ATF conduct background checks on responsible persons and employees authorized to possess explosive materials; specifies additional categories of persons who may not lawfully receive or possess explosive materials, i.e., aliens (other than permanent resident aliens and other excepted aliens), persons dishonorably discharged from the military, and persons who have renounced their U.S. citizenship; broadens the interstate commerce element of the prohibited persons section of the law to specify that a violation is committed if possession of explosive materials affects interstate or foreign commerce; provides ATF the authority to require licensed manufacturers and licensed importers and persons who manufacture or import explosive materials or ammonium nitrate to provide samples, information on chemical composition, and other information relevant to the identification of the product; broadens the scope of a criminal violation of the law to include any institution or organization receiving Federal financial assistance within the categories of property covered by the violation; expands ATF's authority to grant relief from disabilities to all categories of prohibited persons; and adds a new theft-reporting violation, providing felony penalties for a licensee or permittee who fails to report thefts of explosives within 24 hours of discovery. This interim rule also incorporates the provisions of ATF Ruling 76-10, which will become obsolete as of May 24, 2003. The interim rule will remain in effect until superseded by final regulations.","action":"Interim final rule with request for comments.","agencies":[{"raw_name":"DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE","name":"Justice Department","id":268,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/justice-department","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/268","parent_id":null,"slug":"justice-department"},{"raw_name":"Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives","name":"Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau","id":19,"url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/agencies/alcohol-tobacco-firearms-and-explosives-bureau","json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/agencies/19","parent_id":268,"slug":"alcohol-tobacco-firearms-and-explosives-bureau"}],"body_html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/html/2003/03/20/03-6573.html","cfr_references":[{"chapter":null,"citation_url":null,"part":555,"title":27}],"citation":"68 FR 13768","comment_url":null,"comments_close_on":"2003-03-18","correction_of":null,"corrections":[],"dates":"Effective date: This interim rule is effective March 20, 2003.","disposition_notes":null,"docket_ids":["ATF No. 1","Docket No. 2002R-341P"],"dockets":[],"document_number":"03-6573","effective_on":"2003-03-20","end_page":13793,"executive_order_notes":null,"executive_order_number":null,"explanation":null,"full_text_xml_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/xml/2003/03/20/03-6573.xml","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2003/03/20/03-6573/implementation-of-the-safe-explosives-act-title-xi-subtitle-c-of-public-law-107-296","images":{},"images_metadata":{},"json_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/api/v1/documents/03-6573?publication_date=2003-03-20","mods_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/metadata/granule/FR-2003-03-20/03-6573/mods.xml","not_received_for_publication":null,"page_length":26,"page_views":{"count":1850,"last_updated":"2026-04-04 18:15:03 -0400"},"pdf_url":"https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2003-03-20/pdf/03-6573.pdf","presidential_document_number":null,"proclamation_number":null,"public_inspection_pdf_url":null,"publication_date":"2003-03-20","raw_text_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/full_text/text/2003/03/20/03-6573.txt","regulation_id_number_info":{"1140-AA00":{"issue":"202410","html_url":"https://www.federalregister.gov/regulations/1140-AA00/implementation-of-the-safe-explosives-act","title":"Implementation of the Safe Explosives Act","xml_url":"http://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaViewRule?pubId=202410&RIN=1140-AA00&operation=OPERATION_EXPORT_XML","priority_category":"Other Significant"}},"regulation_id_numbers":["1140-AA00"],"regulations_dot_gov_info":{},"regulations_dot_gov_url":null,"significant":true,"signing_date":null,"start_page":13768,"subtype":null,"title":"Implementation of the Safe Explosives Act, Title XI, Subtitle C of Public Law 107-296","toc_doc":null,"toc_subject":null,"topics":["Administrative practice and procedure","Authority delegations (Government agencies)","Customs duties and inspection","Explosives","Imports","Penalties","Reporting and recordkeeping requirements","Safety","Security measures","Seizures and forfeitures","Transportation","Warehouses"],"type":"Rule","volume":68}