Machine gun.
Any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun, and any combination of parts from which a machine gun can be a..
No. Because antique firearms are not considered firearms for purposes of the Gun Control Act (GCA), none of the import regulations apply to the importation of antique firearms. Moreover, a nonimmigrant alien may possess antique firearms, even if the alien does not fall within an exception to the nonimmigrant alien prohibition.[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3) and (a)(16); 27 CFR 478.11]
No. A frame or receiver is a type of firearm “other than a shotgun or rifle” and the transfer by a licensee to an individual less than 21 years of age would be prohibited.[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(5) and (7) and 922(b)(1); 27 CFR 478.11 and 478.99(b)]
A licensee must record the type of firearm as a “frame” or “receiver” (as applicable) in the acquisition and disposition (A&D) record and on the ATF Form 4473. The licensee must also include in any record the make, model, and serial number of the frame or receiver.As a frame or receiver is neither a shotgun nor a rifle, a licensee is prohibited from selling or delivering a frame or receiver to any individual the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than 21 years of age.[18 U.S.C. 922(b)(5), 27 CFR 478.11]
Receiver blanks that do not meet the definition of a "firearm" are not subject to regulation under the Gun Control Act (GCA). ATF has long held that items such as receiver blanks, "castings" or "machined bodies" in which the fire-control cavity area is completely solid and un-machined have not reached the "stage of manufacture" which would result in the classification of a firearm according to the GCA.The following three photos are provided as examples. The first receiver has a solid, un-machined fire-control cavity area with no holes or dimples for the selector, trigger, or hammer pins. It does not meet the GCA definition of a firearm. The second receiver, shown from the top, likewise has a solid, un-machined fire-control cavity area. It does not meet the GCA definition of a firearm. The third receiver has a partially machined fire-control cavity and does meet the GCA definition of a firearm.
Yes. In some cases, items being marketed as “unfinished” or “80%” receivers do actually meet the definition of a “firearm” as defined in the Gun Control Act (GCA).If you are unsure about whether an item you are planning to buy or sell is considered a firearm under the GCA, please contact ATF’s Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division (FATD) by email at fire_tech@atf.gov or by phone at 304-616-4300.
The Gun Control Act (GCA) does not impose restrictions on receiver blanks that do not meet the definition of a “firearm.”Please note that some items marketed as non-firearm "unfinished" or "80%" receivers are actually considered firearms.
No. Although generally the Gun Control Act (GCA) prohibits the receipt and possession of firearms and ammunition by persons subject to disqualifying restraining orders, the GCA does not prohibit a law enforcement officer subject to a restraining order from receiving or possessing firearms or ammunition for use in performing official duties. Possession of the firearm for official purposes while off duty would be lawful if such possession is required or authorized by law or by official departmental policy. An officer subject to a disabling restraining order would violate the law if the officer received or possessed a firearm or ammunition for other than official use.[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(32), 922(g)(8) and 925(a)(1); 27 CFR 478.11, 478.32 and 478.141]
No, except that frames or receivers of firearms are "firearms" as defined in the law and are subject to the same controls as complete firearms. Certain parts of silencers and machineguns are also regulated as firearms under the GCA, as well as under the National Firearms Act (NFA).[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3), (23) and (24); 26 U.S.C. 5845; 27 CFR 478.11 and 479.11]
No. The “as an element” language in the definition of “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” (MCDV) only applies to the use of force provision of the statute and not the relationship provision. However, to be disabling, the offense must have been committed by someone whose relationship to the victim meets the definition in the Gun Control Act (GCA).[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(33); 27 CFR 478.11]
Yes. A person conducting such activities as a business is considered to be a gunsmith within the definition of a dealer.[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(11) and (21); 27 CFR 478.11]
For Gun Control Act (GCA) purposes, a person is a resident of a state in which he or she is present with the intention of making a home in that state. The state of residence for a corporation or other business entity is the state where it maintains a place of business.A member of the Armed Forces on active duty is a resident of the state in which his or her or her permanent duty station is located. If a member of the Armed Forces maintains a home in one state and the member’s permanent duty station is in a nearby state to which they commute each day, then the member has two states of residence and may purchase a firearm in either the state where the duty station is located or the state where the home is maintained.[18 U.S.C. 921(b), 922(a)(3), and 922(b)(3); 27 CFR 478.11]
“80% receiver,” “80% finished,” “80% complete” and “unfinished receiver” are all terms referring to an item that some may believe has not yet reached a stage of manufacture that meets the definition of "firearm frame" or "receiver" according to the Gun Control Act (GCA). These are not statutory terms and ATF does not use or endorse them.
The definition of misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in the Gun Control Act (GCA) includes any offense classified as a “misdemeanor” under federal, state or tribal law. In states that do not classify offenses as misdemeanors, the definition includes any state or local offense punishable by imprisonment for a term of 1 year or less or punishable by a fine.[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(33); 27 CFR 478.11]
Firearm.
(a) A shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length; (b) a weapon made from a shotgun if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length; (c) a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length; (d) a weapon made from a rifle if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length; ..
The following weapons are regulated under the National Firearms Act (NFA):A shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length;A weapon made from a shotgun if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length;A rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length;A weapon made from a rifle if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length;Any other weapon, as defined in subsection (e);A machinegun;Any silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code); andA destructive device.[26 U.S.C. 5845; 27 CFR 479.11]
The terms “firearm silencer” and “firearm muffler” mean any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, and any part intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication.Numerous paintball and airgun silencers tested by ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch have been determined to be firearm silencers by nature of their design and function. Because silencers are NFA weapons, an individual wishing to manufacture or transfer such a silencer must receive prior approval from ATF and pay the required tax.[26 U.S.C. 5845; 27 CFR 479.11]
Yes, unless the barrel of the pistol is at least 16 inches in length (and the overall length of the firearm with stock attached is at least 26 inches). However, certain stocked handguns, such as original semiautomatic Mauser “Broomhandles” and Lugers, have been removed from the purview of the NFA as collectors’ items.[26 U.S.C. 5845, 27 CFR 479.11]
(a)
General.
As provided by 26 U.S.C. 5812 and 26 U.S.C. 5822, an application to make or transfer a firearm shall be denied if the making, transfer, receipt, or possession of the firearm would place the maker or transferee in violation of law. Section 922(o), Title 18, U.S.C., makes it unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machine gun, except a transfer to or by, or possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any depa..
Please send a written request to ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch, 244 Needy Road, Martinsburg, WV, 24505 or by fax at (304) 616–4301.[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(24); 26 U.S.C. 5845(a); 27 CFR 479.11]
Generally, no. However, applications to make and register machine guns on or after May 19, 1986 for the benefit of a federal, state, or local government entity will be approved if documentation can be provided, along with the application to make a machinegun, which establishes that the machine gun is particularly suitable for use by federal, state or local governmental entities and is being made at the request and on behalf of such an entity.[18 U.S.C. 922(o)(2); 27 CFR 479.105(e)]
Yes. If the machine gun was lawfully registered and possessed before May 19, 1986, it may be transferred pursuant to an approved ATF Form 4 (5320.4).[18 U.S.C. 922(o)(2), 26 U.S.C. 5812]
Yes. If the machine gun was lawfully registered and possessed before May 19, 1986, it may be transferred pursuant to an approved ATF Form 3 or Form 4, as applicable.[18 U.S.C. 922(o)(2); 26 U.S.C. 5812]
(a) The Director may authorize a person to transport in interstate or foreign commerce any destructive device, machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle, if he finds that such transportation is reasonably necessary and is consistent with public safety and applicable State and local law. A person who desires to transport in interstate or foreign commerce any such device or weapon shall submit a written request so to do, in duplicate, to the Director. The request shall contain:
A registered possessor of an NFA firearm, other than a federal firearms licensee/special occupational taxpayer (FFL/SOT), may not lawfully transport in interstate or foreign commerce any destructive device, machinegun, short-barreled shotgun or short-barreled rifle without prior written approval of ATF, specifically the NFA Branch.Approval for the transportation may be obtained by either a written request, or an approved application filed with ATF on Form 5320.20, Application to Transport Interstate or to Temporarily Export Certain NFA Firearms. Please note that applications to transport NFA firearms will be approved only if consistent with all state and local laws.[18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(4); 27 CFR § 478.28]
Yes, unless the registered possessor is a qualified dealer, manufacturer or importer, or a licensed collector transporting only curios or relics. Prior approval must be obtained, even if the move is temporary. Approval is requested by either submitting a letter containing all necessary information, or by submitting ATF Form 5320.20, Application to Transport Interstate or to Temporarily Export Certain National Firearms Act (NFA) Firearms. This requirement does not apply to the lawful interstate transportation of silencers. Possession of the firearms also must comply with all state and local laws.[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(4); 27 CFR 478.28]
(1) A licensee may conduct business temporarily at a gun show or event as defined in paragraph (b) if the gun show or event is located in the same State specified on the license:
Provided,
That such business shall not be conducted from any motorized or towed vehicle. The premises of the gun show or event at which the licensee conducts business shall be considered part of the licensed premises. Accordingly, no separate fee or license is required for the g..
Depending on how the organization arranges for the firearms to be transferred to the raffle winner, the licensee’s participation may vary.Example 1A licensee transfers a firearm to the organization sponsoring the raffle. The representative acting on behalf of the organization must complete the ATF Form 4473 and undergo a NICS background check.When the buyer of a firearm is a corporation, association, or other organization, an officer or other representative authorized to act on behalf of the organization must complete the form with his or her personal information and attach a written statement, executed under penalties of perjury, stating that the firearm is being acquired for the use of the organization and the name and address of the organization.Once the firearm had been transferred to the organization, the organization can subsequently transfer the firearm to the raffle winner without an ATF Form 4473 being completed or a NICS check being conducted. This is because the organization is not a licensee.However, the organization cannot transfer the firearm to a person who is not a resident of the organization’s state of residence nor can the organization knowingly transfer the firearm to a prohibited person.Example 2The licensee or a representative of the licensee brings a firearm to the raffle so that the firearm can be displayed. After the raffle, the firearm is returned to the licensee’s premises. The licensee must complete an ATF Form 4473 and conduct a NICS background check prior to transferring the firearm to the winner of the raffle.If the firearm is a handgun, the winner of the raffle must be a resident of the state where the transfer takes place, or the firearm must be transferred through another licensee in the winner’s state of residence.If the firearm is a rifle or shotgun, the licensee can lawfully transfer the firearm to the winner of the raffle as long as the transaction is over-the-counter and complies with the laws applicable at the place of sale and the state where the transferee resides.Example 3If the raffle meets the definition of a qualifying event, the licensee may conduct business at that event.Please note, if the organization’s practice of raffling firearms rises to the level of being engaged in the business of dealing in firearms, the organization must get its own federal firearms license.[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(5), 922(b)(3), 922(t), and 923(j); 27 CFR 478.99, 478.100, 478.102, and 478.124]
Yes. A licensee conducting business temporarily at a gun show must comply with the background check provisions in the same manner as if the sale were taking place at the licensed premises.[18 U.S.C. 922(t) and 923(j); 27 CFR 478.100 and 478.102]
Generally no, because most auctions do not qualify as a gun show or qualifying event and therefore a licensee would not be permitted to conduct business away from the licensed premises.[18 U.S.C. 923(j); 27 CFR 478.100]
Generally, a licensed manufacturer, importer or dealer may sell firearms temporarily at a qualifying gun show or event located within his or her state of licensure. Licensees may, however, sell curio or relic firearms to another licensee at any location.[18 U.S.C. 923(j), 27 CFR 478.100]
Licensed collectors are required to comply with written notification to unlicensed individuals upon delivery of a handgun. However, the sign posting requirement does not apply to licensed collectors.[27 CFR 478.103]
Yes. However, persons less than 18 years of age may only receive and possess handguns with the written permission of a parent or guardian for limited purposes, e.g., employment, ranching, farming, target practice or hunting.[18 U.S.C. 922(x)]
Yes. Licensed gunsmiths are required to comply with written notification to unlicensed individuals upon delivery of a handgun. A gunsmith who transfers handguns to nonlicensees must also comply with the sign posting requirement.[27 CFR 478.103]
Machinegun.
A “machinegun”, “machine pistol”, “submachinegun”, or “automatic rifle” is a firearm which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a ma..
It is generally unlawful to import a machine gun into the United States for unrestricted sale. However, machine guns that are properly destroyed to ATF specifications may be imported.A machine-gun parts kit is generally importable so long as the kit does not include a machine gun, barrel, frame or receiver. Note that machine gun destruction to ATF specifications will generally render a machine-gun parts kit importable in this respect (destroying a kit’s barrel, and/or frame, and/or receiver to ATF specifications so they are no longer considered a barrel, frame or receiver will generally render the kit importable in this respect).Importations are subject to country restrictions. For example, machine-gun parts kits from firearms manufactured in Russia or one of the former Soviet States are not importable. Machinegun parts kits (excluding the frame, receiver or barrel) from a surplus military U.S.-origin machine gun will also require retransfer authorization from the U.S. Department of State.For more information, see ATF Rulings 2003-1, 2003-2, 2003-3 and 2003-4.[18 U.S.C. § 922(o); 26 U.S.C. § 5844; 22 U.S.C. § 2778; 27 CFR § 447.11, 447.21, 447.41, 447.52]
(b) Each manufacturer, importer, and maker shall register each firearm he manufactures, imports, or makes in the manner prescribed by this part. Each firearm transferred shall be registered to the transferee by the transferor in the manner prescribed by this part. No firearm may be registered by a person unlawfully in possession of the firearm except during an amnesty period established under section 207 of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 1235).
Only those firearms subject to the National Firearms Act (NFA) (e.g., machineguns, short–barreled rifles and shotguns, silencers, destructive devices, and firearms designated as “any other weapons”) must be registered with ATF.Firearms registration may be required by state or local law. Any person considering acquiring a firearm should contact their State Attorney General’s Office to inquire about the laws and possible state or local restrictions.[26 U.S.C. 5841; 27 CFR 479.101]]
(a) Any person who applies to be a licensed firearms dealer must certify on ATF Form 7 (5310.12), Application for Federal Firearms License, that compatible secure gun storage or safety devices will be available at any place where firearms are sold under the license to nonlicensed individuals (subject to the exception that in any case in which a secure gun storage or safety device is temporarily unavailable because of theft, casualty, loss, consumer sales, backorders from a manufacturer, or any o..
The provisions in this part are in addition to, and are not in lieu of, any other provision of law, or regulations, respecting commerce in explosive materials. For regulations applicable to commerce in firearms and ammunition, see Part 478 of this chapter. For regulations applicable to traffic in machine guns, destructive devices, and certain other firearms, see Part 479 of this chapter. For statutes applicable to the registration and licensing of persons engaged in the business of manufacturing..
The sale or delivery by a licensee of any destructive device, machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle, to any person other than another licensee who is licensed under this part to deal in such device or firearm, is prohibited unless the person to receive such device or firearm furnishes to the licensee a sworn statement setting forth
(C) If an unserviceable firearm (other than a machine gun) being imported as a curio or museum piece, a description of how it was rendered unserviceable and an explanation of why it is a curio or museum piece; or
(C) If an unserviceable firearm (other than a machine gun) being imported as a curio or museum piece, a description of how it was rendered unserviceable and an explanation of why it is a curio or museum piece; or
(4)
Frame or receiver, machine gun conversion part, or silencer part disposed of separately.
Each part defined as a frame or receiver or modular subpart thereof described in paragraph (a)(3) of this section, machinegun, or firearm muffler or firearm silencer that is not a component part of a complete weapon or complete muffler or silencer device at the time it is sold, shipped, or otherwise disposed of by you must be identified as required by this sec..
Where the transfer of a destructive device, machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle is to be made by a person licensed under the provisions of Title I of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 1213) to a person not so licensed, the sworn statement required by § 478.98 of this chapter shall be attached to and accompany the transfer application required by this subpart.
Rifles, carbines, revolvers, and pistols, to caliber .50 inclusive, combat shotguns, and shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches in length are included under Category I(a). Machineguns, submachineguns, machine pistols and fully automatic rifles to caliber .50 inclusive are included under Category I(b).
The provisions of § 478.98 with respect to the sale or delivery of destructive devices, machine guns, short-barreled shotguns, and short-barreled rifles shall not apply to the sale or delivery of such devices and weapons to any research organization designated by the Director to receive same. A research organization desiring such designation shall submit a letter application, in duplicate, to the Director. Such application shall contain the name and address of the research organization, the name..
The provisions in this part are in addition to, and are not in lieu of, any other provision of law, or regulations, respecting commerce in firearms or ammunition. For regulations applicable to traffic in machine guns, destructive devices, and certain other firearms, see Part 479 of this chapter. For statutes applicable to the registration and licensing of persons engaged in the business of manufacturing, importing or exporting arms, ammunition, or implements of war, see section 38 of the Arms Ex..
This part contains the procedural and substantive requirements relative to the importation, manufacture, making, exportation, identification and registration of, and the dealing in, machine guns, destructive devices and certain other firearms under the provisions of the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. Chapter 53).
For provisions relating to commerce in firearms and ammunition, including the movement of destructive devices, machine guns, short-barreled shotguns, or short-barreled rifles, see 18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, and Part 478 of this chapter issued pursuant thereto.
(a)
Basis for action.
Whenever the Director has reason to believe that a licensee has willfully violated any provision of the Act or this part, a notice of revocation of the license, ATF Form 4500, may be issued. In addition, a notice of revocation of the license, on ATF Form 4500, may be issued whenever the Director has reason to believe that a licensee fails to have secure gun storage or safety devices available at any place in which firearms are sold ..
No information or evidence obtained from an application, registration, or record required to be submitted or retained by a natural person in order to comply with any provision of 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53, or this part or section 207 of the Gun Control Act of 1968 shall be used, directly or indirectly, as evidence against that person in a criminal proceeding with respect to a violation of law occurring prior to or concurrently with the filing of the application or registration, or the compiling of th..
(a)
General.
The regulations contained in this part relate to commerce in firearms and ammunition and are promulgated to implement Title I, State Firearms Control Assistance (18 U.S.C. Chapter 44), of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (82 Stat. 1213) as amended by Pub. L. 99-308 (100 Stat. 449), Pub. L. 99-360 (100 Stat. 766), Pub. L. 99-408 (100 Stat. 920), Pub. L. 103-159 (107 Stat. 1536), Pub. L. 103-322 (108 Stat. 1796), Pub. L. 104-208 (110 Stat. 3009), a..