[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 83 (Monday, April 29, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 18678-18680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-10361]



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DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms

27 CFR Part 47

[Notice No. 821]


Removal of Certain Restrictions on Importation of Defense 
Articles and Defense Services From the Russian Federation

AGENCY: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF), Department of 
the Treasury.

ACTION: Statement of policy.

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SUMMARY: The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) is 
announcing (1) that it will remove the Russian Federation from the list 
of countries from which defense articles and defense services may not 
be imported and (2) implementation of restrictions on the importation 
of certain firearms and ammunition located or manufactured in the 
Russian Federation or previously manufactured in the Soviet Union in 
accordance with an agreement between the United States and the Russian 
Federation and the guidance of the Secretary of State regarding matters 
affecting world peace and the external security and foreign policy of 
the United States as expressed in a letter dated April 5, 1996.

DATES: Removal of the Russian Federation from the list of proscribed 
countries was effective April 5, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mary Jo Hughes, Chief, Firearms and 
Explosives Imports Branch, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, 650 
Massachusetts Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20226 (202-927-8320).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: By letter dated April 5, 1996, the Secretary 
of State advised the Director, ATF, that, under the authority of 
Section 38 of the Arms Export Control Act (AECA), 22 U.S.C. Sec. 2778, 
it is no longer the policy of the United States to deny licenses, other 
approvals, exports and imports of defense articles and defense services 
destined for or originating in the Russian Federation (Russia). The 
State Department has requested that the Director implement this 
decision immediately with respect to his authority over imports under 
Section 38 of the AECA and amend the regulation at 27 CFR 47.52(a) to 
reflect this change in foreign policy.
    The State Department also advised that the President decided to 
negotiate an agreement with Russia concerning the export of munitions. 
Carrying out such an agreement and keeping out unacceptable types of 
munitions from the United States are U.S. foreign policy concerns. In 
addition, the State Department informed ATF that an Agreement between 
the Government of the United States of America and the Government of 
the Russian Federation on exports of firearms and ammunition from the 
Russian Federation to the United States of America (the Agreement) was 
signed on April 3, 1996, and entered into force on that date. On this 
basis, the State Department advised the Department of the Treasury that 
Treasury should exercise the authority delegated to it under Section 38 
of the AECA by denying applications to import firearms and ammunition 
located or manufactured in Russia or previously manufactured in the 
Soviet Union that would be inconsistent with the Agreement. The State 
Department advised Treasury that the foregoing did not apply to 
conditional imports of firearms and ammunition which would serve as 
samples for purposes of determining whether the items are of a type 
authorized for importation under the Agreement.
    The Agreement provides that Russia shall not allow the exportation 
to the United States of (1) firearms other than those specified on 
Annex A to the Agreement; and (2) ammunition specified in Annex B to 
the Agreement. Nine handguns and 29 rifles are listed in Annex A. One 
type of ammunition is listed in Annex B. The Agreement also provides 
that new types of firearms and ammunition manufactured after February 
9, 1996, may not be exported by Russia under the Agreement unless the 
parties agree in writing to amend the Agreement accordingly. The 
Agreement is published in its entirety at the end of this notice.
    ATF has taken or will take the following actions to implement the 
above:
    (1) ATF will remove Russia from the list of countries from which 
defense articles and defense services may not be imported into the 
United States. A Treasury Decision amending Sec. 47.52(a) to reflect 
this action will be published in the near future.

[[Page 18679]]

    (2) ATF will approve applications to import defense articles and 
defense services from Russia in accordance with the guidance contained 
in the April 5, 1996, letter from the Department of State. Consistent 
with that letter, only firearms listed in Annex A of the Agreement will 
be approved for importation from Russia. Surplus military curio or 
relic firearms manufactured or located in Russia or previously 
manufactured in the Soviet Union will not be approved for importation 
under 27 CFR 47.52(d) unless the firearms are listed in Annex A of the 
Agreement. Applications to import from Russia ammunition listed in 
Annex B will not be approved.
    (3) ATF will not approve applications to import from any country or 
territory firearms and ammunition manufactured in Russia or previously 
manufactured in the Soviet Union that would be inconsistent with the 
the Agreement.
    (4) Firearms that are subject to the AECA and the Agreement include 
any nonautomatic, semiautomatic, or automatic firearm to caliber .50 
(12.7mm) inclusive, other than a sporting shotgun, and any component or 
part for such firearms.
    (5) Prior to approval of an application to import firearms and 
ammunition located or manufactured in Russia or previously manufactured 
in the Soviet Union, ATF may require the conditional importation of a 
sample of the firearm or ammunition for examination to determine 
whether it is of a type that may be approved for importation consistent 
with the Agreement.
    (6) For purposes of the AECA, the term ``United States'' is defined 
in 27 CFR 47.11 and includes Customs bonded warehouses (CBWs) and 
foreign trade zones (FTZs). Article 8 of the Agreement provides that 
the Agreement shall not affect the fulfillment of contracts with 
respect to firearms or ammunition entered or withdrawn from warehouse 
for consumption in the United States on or before February 9, 1996. 
This means that firearms and ammunition entered into a CBW or FTZ prior 
to February 9, 1996, that otherwise could not be imported under the 
restrictions set out above have been imported within the meaning of 
Section 38 of the AECA and are not subject to such restrictions.
    (7) Permits authorizing the importation of firearms and ammunition 
whose exportation to the United States is prohibited under the 
Agreement, with the exception of those to which paragraph (6) are 
applicable, are hereby revoked. As required by 27 CFR 47.44(d), the 
revoked import permits must be returned to the Firearms and Explosives 
Imports Branch, ATF, immediately. Pursuant to 27 CFR 47.44(c), holders 
of such permits may, within 30 days of the date of publication of this 
notice in the Federal Register, make a written request for an 
opportunity to present additional information and to have a full review 
by the Director. Any such requests will be referred to the Department 
of State, as appropriate, for its guidance on matters affecting world 
peace and the external security and foreign policy of the United 
States.

Compliance With 5 U.S.C. Chapter 8

    In accordance with 5 U.S.C. 808(2), ATF has found that, consistent 
with guidance from the Department of State and for reasons of the 
foreign policy of the United States, notice and public procedure under 
5 U.S.C. 801 are unnecessary, impracticable, and contrary to the public 
interest.

Text of Agreement; Agreement Between the Government of the United 
States of America and the Government of the Russian Federation on 
Exports of Firearms and Ammunition From the Russian Federation to the 
United States of America

    The Government of the United States of America and the 
Government of the Russian Federation, hereinafter referred to as the 
``Parties,''
    In the context of removing a number of existing restrictions on 
the importation into the United States of firearms and ammunition 
from the Russian Federation;
    Recognizing the foreign policy interest of the Parties in 
expanding trade in firearms and ammunition between the United States 
and the Russian Federation in a manner compatible with domestic 
security;
    Recognizing the intention of the United States of America that 
United States policy with respect to access to the United States 
market for firearms and ammunition be applied in a nondiscriminatory 
manner to all of its trading partners;
    Wishing to promote trade and cooperation on an equal and 
mutually beneficial basis between the United States and the Russian 
Federation and to expand economic opportunities in the two 
countries;
    Have agreed as follows:

Article 1: Definitions

    The following definitions apply to this Agreement:
    (a) ``Ammunition'' means any ammunition, cartridge case, primer, 
bullet, or propellent powder designed for use in any firearm.
    (b) ``Firearm'' means any nonautomatic, semiautomatic, or 
automatic firearm, to caliber .50 (12.7 mm) inclusive other than a 
shotgun, or any component or part for such firearm.
    (c) ``New model ammunition'' means a type of ammunition the 
manufacture of which began after February 9, 1996.
    (d) ``New model firearm'' means a type of firearm the 
manufacture of which began after February 9, 1996.

Article 2: Firearms and Ammunition Export Prohibitions

    The Government of the Russian Federation shall not allow the 
exportation from the Russian Federation, destined to the United 
States, of the following firearms and ammunition:
    (a) any firearm, including any new model firearm, except a 
firearm described in Annex A to this Agreement;
    (b) ammunition described in Annex B to this Agreement; and
    (c) new model ammunition.

Article 3: Consultations

    (a) Each Party shall provide to the other Party, on request, 
information necessary for the implementation and enforcement of this 
Agreement. A Party shall keep confidential all information received 
from the other Party that is designated by the providing Party as 
confidential and shall not provide it to any other government or any 
private person without the providing Party's written consent.
    (b) The Parties agree to consult promptly, not later than 30 
days after receipt of a request from either Party, regarding any 
matter concerning this Agreement.
    (c) At any time, either Party may propose that a firearm be 
added to or deleted from Annex A or that ammunition be added to or 
deleted from Annex B. The Parties shall consult promptly regarding 
such a proposal and may amend either Annex by written agreement of 
the Parties.
    (d) Where a question arises as to whether a particular firearm 
or ammunition is subject to the export prohibition in Article 2, the 
Parties shall consult promptly. The firearm or ammunition shall be 
subject to the export prohibition pending resolution of the matter.

Article 4: Construction

    Nothing in this Agreement shall be construed to affect the 
applicability to firearms, ammunition, or other products of the laws 
and regulations of the United States or the Russian Federation 
imposing restrictions or requirements on importation.

Article 5: Actions To Ensure the Effectiveness of this Agreement

    Either Party may take any action, as provided in its laws and 
regulations, necessary to ensure the effectiveness of this 
Agreement.

Article 6: Emergency Actions

    If the Government of the United States determines that the 
actual or prospective importation of any firearm described in Annex 
A or ammunition other than that described in Annex B is causing or 
threatens to cause damage to the domestic security of the United 
States, the Government of the United States reserves the right to 
take any measure it deems appropriate consistent with the Agreement 
on Trade Relations, signed between the Union of Soviet Socialist 
Republics and the United States of America at Washington on June 1, 
1990, as amended, brought into force between the United States of 
America and the Russian Federation pursuant to an exchange of notes 
on June 17, 1992. The Government of the United States shall consult 
with the Government of the

[[Page 18680]]

Russian Federation prior to taking any such measure. If prior and 
prompt consultations are not possible because of an emergency 
situation, the Government of the United States shall consult with 
the Government of the Russian Federation as soon as possible after 
taking the measure.

Article 7: Amendments

    This Agreement may be amended by written agreement of the 
Parties.

Article 8: No Effect on Articles in U.S. Customs Territory

    This Agreement shall not affect the fulfillment of contracts 
with respect to firearms or ammunition entered or withdrawn from 
warehouse for consumption in the United States on or before February 
9, 1996.

Article 9: Annexes; Entry into Force; Termination

    (a) The Annexes to this Agreement are an integral part of this 
Agreement.
    (b) This Agreement shall enter into force upon the date of its 
signature by both Parties.
    (c) Either Party may terminate this Agreement by providing 
written notification to the other Party at least twelve months prior 
to the date of termination.
    Done at Washington on April 3, 1996, in duplicate, in the 
English and Russian languages, both texts being equally authentic.
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signature
Ira Shapiro,
Ambassador, Senior Counsel, Negotiator, Office of the U.S. Trade 
Representative.
    For the Government of the United States of America.
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signature
Gennadiy Yanpolsky,
Deputy Chairman, State Committee on Defense Industry Branches.
    For the Government of the Russian Federation.

Annex A

Firearms Permitted to Be Imported into the United States from the 
Russian Federation

Pistols/Revolvers

    1. German Model P08 Pistol
    2. IZH 34M, .22 caliber Target Pistol
    3. IZH 35M, .22 caliber Target Pistol
    4. Mauser Model 1896 Pistol
    5. MC-57-1 Pistol
    6. MC-1-5 Pistol
    7. Polish Vis Model 35 Pistol
    8. Soviet Nagant Revolver
    9. TOZ 35, .22 caliber Target Pistol

Rifles

    1. BARS-4 Bolt Action Carbine
    2. Biathlon Target Rifle, .22LR caliber
    3. British Enfield Rifle
    4. CM2, .22 caliber Target Rifle (also known as SM2,
    .22 caliber)
    5. German Model 98K Rifle
    6. German Model G41 Rifle
    7. German Model G43 Rifle
    8. IZH-94
    9. LOS-7 Bolt Action Rifle
    10. MC-7-07
    11. MC-18-3
    12. MC-19-07
    13. MC-105-01
    14. MC-112-02
    15. MC-113-02
    16. MC-115-1
    17. MC-125/127
    18. MC-126
    19. MC-128
    20. Saiga Rifle
    21. Soviet Model 38 Carbine
    22. Soviet Model 44 Carbine
    23. Soviet Model 91/30 Rifle
    24. TOZ 18, .22 caliber Bolt Action Rifle
    25. TOZ 55
    26. TOZ 78
    27. Ural Target Rifle, .22LR caliber
    28. VEPR Rifle
    29. Winchester Model 1895, Russian Model Rifle

Annex B

Ammunition Prohibited from Being Imported into the United States 
from the Russian Federation

    1. 7.62X25mm caliber (also known as 7.63X25mm caliber or .30 
Mauser)

Authority and Issuance

    This notice is issued under the authority in 22 U.S.C. 2778.

    Approved: April 19, 1996.
John W. Magaw,
Director.
[FR Doc. 96-10361 Filed 4-24-96; 4:32 pm]
BILLING CODE 4810-31-U