John Harris, in addition to volunteering as TFA’s executive director, is an attorney in Nashville, Tennessee, who regularly represents clients in matters involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. On September 9, 2022 he wrote to the ATF to request clarification of the ATF’s updated rule that went into effect on August 24, 2022, concerning its reclassification of “80%” kits and their status both for federal firearms licensees and those individuals who are not federally licensed dealers or manufacturers.

On February 8, 2023, approximately 5 months after the inquiry was made, a “firearms enforcement specialist” with the ATF responded in writing. The answers from the ATF on this issue may be of interest to many who have items that are or may be classified as 80% kits.

The the ATF’s written response is contained in the full report on the TFA's website.