The Wire · CalGunHub
ATF proposals address interstate transport of firearms under GCA and NFA
Published · Updated
Two companion proposals from the reform package cover transport rules under the Gun Control Act and the National Firearms Act.
Written by the CalGunHub desk from public reporting
Who this affects: These are proposals only, published May 6 and May 8, 2026, and nothing in them took effect on publication. Anyone transporting firearms through or into California remains subject to California law on transport, assault weapons and prohibited items. The federal safe-passage provision in 18 U.S.C. 926A and any revised ATF transport rules would operate alongside those state restrictions, not in place of them. This is general information, not legal advice.
ATF in early May 2026 published two companion proposals touching the interstate transport of firearms, both part of the "New Era of Reform" rulemaking package announced April 29, 2026.
The first, "Clarifying Interstate Transportation of Firearms Under the Gun Control Act" (91 FR 24441, FR Doc. 2026-08916, RIN 1140-AA73), was published May 6, 2026, with comments accepted through August 4, 2026. The second, "Interstate Transport and Temporary Export of National Firearms Act Firearms" (91 FR 25229, FR Doc. 2026-09161, RIN 1140-AA89), was published May 8, 2026, with comments accepted through August 6, 2026. The NFA item relates to the ATF Form 5320.20 process, under which owners of certain NFA firearms seek advance approval before transporting them across state lines.
Both notices are proposals only. Neither changed any requirement on the day it published, and each would need to be finalized after the comment process before taking effect. Until then, the current federal transport rules and the existing Form 5320.20 pre-approval process for covered NFA firearms remain in place unchanged.
Federal law already provides a safe-passage provision for interstate travel with firearms (18 U.S.C. 926A), and any revised ATF rules would operate alongside state restrictions, not instead of them. Travelers transporting firearms through or into California remain subject to California law on transport, assault weapons and prohibited items, and none of those state rules are modified by the federal proposals.
Update: The comment periods closed August 4 and August 6, 2026. No final rules had been published as of October 12, 2026.
Sources
Informational only, not legal advice. Facts are attributed to the sources listed above.