An Act to amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for better control of the interstate traffic in firearms
PL 90-618 (H.R.17735), enacted 10/22/1968

82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1213 
Public Law 90-617 
AN ACT 
To amend >4eftion 2 of the Act of June 30, 1954, as amended, providing for the 
continuance of civil government for the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Reprefientatives 
of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled. That section 2 of the 
Act of June 30, 1954 (68 Stat. 330), as amended, is amended by delet-
ing -'and $35,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 1968 and 1969," and 
inserting in lieu thereof a comma and the following: "for fiscal year 
1969, $5,000,000 in addition to the sums heretofore appropriated, for 
fiscal year 1970, $50,000,000 and for fiscal year 1971, $50,000,000". 
SEC. 2. The Act of June 30, 1954 (68 Stat. 330), as amended, is 
amended by adding a new section 3 as follows: 
"SEC. 3. There are hereby authorized to be appropriated such sums 
as the Secretary of the Interior may find necessary, but not to exceed 
$10,000,000 for any one year, to alleviate suft'ering and damage result-
ing from major disasters that occur in the Trust Territory of the 
Pacific Islands. Such sums shall be in addition to those authorized 
in section 2 of this Act and shall not be subject to the limitations 
imposed by section 2 of this Act. The Secretary of the Interior shall 
determine whether or not a major disaster has occurred in accordance 
with the principles and policies of section 2 of the Act of September 30, 
1950 (64 Stat. 1109), as amended (42 U.S.C. 1855a)." 
Approved October 21, 1968. 
October 21, 1968 
[S. 3207] 
Pacific Trust 
Territory, civil 
government. 
Appropriation. 
81 Stat. IS. 
48 use 1681 note. 
Disaster relief. 
76 Stat. 111. 
Public Law 90-618 
AN ACT 
October 22, 1968 
To amend title 18, United States Code, to provide for better control of the 
[H. R. 17735] 
interstate traffic in firearms. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representati'ves of the 
United States of America in Congress assenwled, That this Act may 
^Q"* 
be cited as the "Gun Control Act of 1968". 
TITLE I—STATE FIREARMS CONTROL ASSISTANCE 
PURPOSE 
SEC. 101. The Congress hereby declares that the purpose of this title 
is to provide support to Federal, State, and local law enforcement 
officials in their fight against crime and violence, and it is not the 
purpose of this title to place any undue or unnecessary Federal restric-
tions or burdens on law-abiding citizens with respect to the acquisi-
1214 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
tion, possession, or use of firearms appropriate to the purpose of 
liunting, trapshooting, target shooting, personal protection, or any 
other lawful activity, and that this title is not intended to discourage 
or eliminate the private ownership or use of firearms by law-abiding 
citizens for lawful purposes, or provide for the imposition by Federal 
regulations of any procedures or requirements other than those rea-
sonably necessary to implement and effectuate the provisions of this 
title. 
Ante, p. 226. 
g^^^ -^Q^. Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is amended 
to read as follows: 
"Chapter 44.—FIREARMS 
"Sec. 
"921. Definitions. 
"922. Unlawful acts. 
"923. Licensing. 
"924. Penalties. 
"925. Exceptions: Relief from disabilities. 
"926. Rules and regulations. 
"927. Effect on State law. 
"928. Separability clause. 
<'§921. Definitions 
" (a) As used in this chapter— 
"(1) The term 'person' and the term 'whoever' include any indi-
vidual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, 
or joint stock company. 
"(2) The term 'interstate or foreign commerce' includes commerce 
between any place in a State and any place outside of that State, or 
within any possession of the United States (not including the Canal 
Zone) or the District of Columbia, but such term does not include 
commerce between places within the same State but through any place 
outside of that State. The term 'State' includes the District of Colum-
bia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the possessions of the 
United States (not including the Canal Zone). 
" (3) The term 'firearm' means (A) any weapon (including a starter 
gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel 
H projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver 
of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or 
(D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique 
firearm. 
"(4) The term destructive device'means— 
" (A) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas— 
"(i) bomb, 
"(ii) grenade, 
" (iii) rocket having a proj)ellant charge of more than four 
ounces, 
"(iv) missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of 
more than one-quarter ounce, 
"(v) mine, or 
"(vi) device similar to any of the devices described in the 
preceding clauses; 
70A Stat. 263. 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1215 
"(B) any type of weapon (other than a shotgun or a shotgxm 
shell which the Secretary finds is generally recognized as particu-
larly suitable for sporting purposes) by whatever name known 
which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile 
by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and which has 
any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter; and 
"(C) any combination of parts either designed or intended for 
use in converting any device into any destructive device described 
in subparagraph (A) or (B) and from which a destructive device 
may be readily assembled. 
The term 'destructive device" shall not include any device which is 
neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon; any device, 
although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned 
for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety, or similar 
device; surplus ordnance sold, loaned, or given by the Secretary of the 
Army pursuant to the provisions of section 4684(2), 4685, or 4686 of 
title 10; or any other device which the Secretary of the Treasury finds 
is not likely to be used as a weapon, is an antique, or is a rifle which the 
owner intends to use solely for sporting purposes. 
"(5) The term 'shot^n' means a weapon designed or redesigned, 
made or remade, and intended to l>e fired from the shoulder and 
designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of the 
explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either 
a number of ball shot or a single projectile for each single pull of the 
trigger. 
" (6) The term 'short-barreled shotgun' means a shotgam having one 
or more barrels less than eighteen inches in length and any weapon 
made from a shotgun (whetner by alteration, modification, or other-
wise) if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 
twenty-six inches. 
" (7) The term 'rifle' means a weapon designed or redesigned, made 
or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder and desired or 
redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of the explosive in a 
fixed metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a rifled 
bore for each single pull of the trigger. 
"(8) The term 'short-barreled rifle' means a rifle having one or 
more barrels less than sixteen inches in len^h and any weapon made 
from a rifle (whether by alteration, modification, or otherwise) if 
such weapon, as modified, has an overall length of less than twenty-six 
inches. 
"(9) The tenn 'importer' means any person engaged in the business 
of importing or bringing firearms or ammunition into the United 
States for purposes of sale or distribution; and the term 'licensed im-
porter' means any such person licensed under the provisions of this 
chapter. 
"(10) The term 'manufacturer' means any person engaged in the 
manufacture of firearms or ammunition for purposes of sale or dis-
1216 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
tribution; and the term 'licensed manufacturer' means any such, per-
son licensed under the provisions of this chapter. 
"(11) The term 'dealer' means (A) any person engaged in the 
business of selling firearms or ammunition at wholesale or retail, (B) 
any person engaged in the business of repairing firearms or of making 
or fitting special barrels, stocks, or trigger mechanisms to firearms, 
or (C) any person who is a pawnbroker. The term 'licensed dealer 
means any dealer who is licensed under the provisions of this chapter. 
"(12) The term 'pawnbroker' means any person whose business or 
occupation includes the taking or receiving, by way of pledge or 
pawn, of any firearm or ammunition as security for the payment or 
repayment of money. 
"(13) The term 'collector' means any person who acquires, holds, or 
disposes of firearms or ammunition as curios or relics, as the Secretary 
shall by regulation define, and the term 'licensed collector' means any 
such person licensed under the provisions of this chapter. 
"(14) The term 'indictment' includes an indictment or information 
in any court under which a crime punishable by imprisonment for a 
term exceeding one year may be prosecuted. 
"(15) The term 'fugitive from justice' means any person who has 
fled from any State to avoid prosecution for a crime or to avoid giving 
testimony in any criminal proceeding. 
"(16) The term 'antique firearm' means— 
"(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, 
flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) 
manufactured in or before 1898; and 
"(B) any replica of any firearm described in subparagrapli 
(A) if such replica— 
" (i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or con-
ventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or 
"(ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammuni-
tion which is no longer manufactured in the United States 
and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels 
of commercial trade. 
" (17) The term 'ammunition' means ammunition or cartridge cases, 
primers, bullets, or propellent powder designed for use in any firearm. 
" (18) The term 'Secretary' or 'Secretary of the Treasury' means the 
Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate. 
"(19) The term 'published ordinance' means a published law of 
any political subdivision of a State which the Secretary determines to 
be relevant to the enforcement of this chapter and which is contained 
i!.'i-"''o'i!f=!", 
*
^
^
^ ^ ^^^^ compiled by the Secretary, which list shall be published in the 
Federal Register, revised annually, and furnished to each licensee 
under this chapter. 
"(20) The term 'crime punishable by imprisonment for a term ex-
ceeding one year' shall not include (A) any Federal or State offenses 
pertaining to antitrust violations, unfair trade practices, restraints of 
ti'ade, or other similar offenses relating to the regulation of business 
practices as the Secretary may by regulation designate, or (B) any 
State offense (other than one involving a firearm or explosive) classi-
fied by the laws of the State as a misdemeanor and punishable by a 
term of imprisonment of two years or less. 
"(b) For the purposes of this chapter, a member of the Armed 
Forces on active duty is a resident of the State in which his permanent 
duty station is located. 
**§922. Unlawful acts 
"(a) It shall be unlawful— 
" (1) for any person, except a licensed importer, licensed manu-
facturer, or licensed dealer, to engage in the business of importing, 
Federal Register 
o> 
62 Stat. 781; 
63 Stat. 95. 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1217 
manufacturing, or dealing in firearms or ammunition, or in the 
course of such business to ship, transport, or receive any firearm or 
ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce; 
"(2) for any importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector 
licensed under the provisions of this chapter to ship or transport 
in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm or ammunition to 
any person other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, 
\ o /
M =
? ^• ^^ 
licensed dealer, or licensed collector, except that— 
"(A) this paragraph and subsection (b)(3) shall not be 
held to preclude a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, 
licensed dealer, or licensed collector from returning a firearm 
or replacement firearm of the same kind and type to a person 
from whom it was received; and this paragraph shall not be 
held to preclude an individual from mailing a firearm owned 
in compliance with Federal, State, and local law to a licensed 
importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer for the 
sole purpose of repair or customizing; 
"(B) tliis paragraph shall not be held to preclude a licensed 
importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer from 
depositing a firearm for conveyance in the mails to any officer, 
employee, agent, or watchman who, pursuant to the provisions 
of section 1715 of this title, is eligible to receive through the 
mails pistols, revolvers, and other firearms capable of being 
concealed on the person, for use in comiection with his official 
duty; and 
"(C) nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as 
applying in any manner in the District of Columbia, the Com-
monwealth of Puerto Rico, or any possession of the United 
States differently than it would apply if the District of 
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the posses-
sion were in fact a State of the United States; 
"(3) for any person, other than a licensed importer, licensed 
manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to transport 
into or receive in the State where he resides (or if the person is a 
corporation or other business entity, the State where it maintains 
a place of business) any firearm purchased or otherwise obtained 
by such person outside that State, except that this paragraph (A) 
shall not preclude any person who lawfully acquires a firearm by 
bequest or intestate succession in a State other than his State 
of residence from transporting the firearm into or receiving it 
in that State, if it is lawful for such person to purchase or possess 
such firearm in that State, (B) .shall not apply to the transporta-
tion or receipt of a rifle or shotgun obtained in conformity with 
the provisions of subsection (b) (3) of this section, and (C) shall 
not apply to the transj)ortation of any firearm acquireni in any 
State prior to the effective date of this chapter; 
"(4) for any person, other than a licensed importer, licensed 
manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, to transport in 
interstate or foreign commerce any destructive device, machine-
gun (a.s defined in section 5845 of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1954), short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle, except as 
specifically authorized by the Secretary consistent with public 
safety and necessity; 
"(5) for any person (other than a licensed importer, licensed 
manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector) to transfer, 
sell, trade, give, transport, or deliver any firearm to any person 
(other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed 
dealer, or licensed collector) who the transferor knows or has rea-
sonable cause to believe resides in a^^v State other than that in 
Post, p. 1231. 
1218 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
which the transferor resides (or other than that in which its place 
of business is located if the transferor is a corporation or other 
business entity); except that this paragraph shall not apply to 
(A) the transfer, transportation, or delivery of a firearm made 
to carry out a bequest of a firearm to, or an acquisition by intes-
tate succession of a firearm by, a person who is permitted to 
acquire or possess a firearm under the laws of the State of his 
residence, and (B) the loan or rental of a firearm to any person 
for temporary use for lawful sporting purposes; and 
"(6) for any person in connection with the acquisition or 
attempted acquisition of any firearm or ammunition from a 
licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or 
licensed collector, knowingly to make any false or fictitious oral 
or written statement or to furnish or exhibit any false, fictitious, 
or misrepresented identification, intended or likely to deceive such 
importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector with respect to any 
fact material to the lawfulness of the sale or other disposition of 
such firearm or ammunition under the provisions of this chapter. 
"(b) It shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed manu-
facturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to sell or deliver— 
r~ 
"(1) any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the 
. t,^ 
I 
licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than 
^ 
eighteen years of age, and, if the firearm, or ammunition is other 
1 
than a s h o t ^ n or rifle, or ammunition for a shotgun or rifle, 
I 
to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause 
[ 
to believe is less than twenty-one years of age. 
"(2) any firearm or ammunition to any person in any State 
where the purchase or possession by such person of such firearm 
or ammunition would he in violation of any State law or any 
published ordinance applicable at the place of sale, delivery or 
other disposition, unless the licensee knows or has reasonable cause 
to believe that the purchase or possession would not be in violation 
of such State law or such published ordinance; 
"(3) any fii'earm to any person who the licensee knows or has 
reasonable cause to believe does not reside in (or if the person is a 
corporation or other business entity, does not maintain a place of 
business in) the State in which the licensee's place of business is 
located, except that this paragraph (A) shall not apply to the sale 
or delivery of a. rifle or shotgun to a resident of a State contiguous 
to the State in which the licensee's place of business is located if 
the purchaser's State of residence permits such sale or delivery by 
law, the sale fully complies with the legal conditions of sale in both 
such contiguous States, and the purchaser and the licensee have, 
prior to the sale, or delivery for sale, of the rifle or shotgun, com-
plied with all of the requirements of section 922(c) applicable to 
intrastate transactions other than at the licensee's business prem-
ises, (B) shall not apply to the loan or rental of a firearm to any 
person for temporary use for lawful s^wrting purposes, and (C) 
shall not preclude any i^erson who is participating in any orga-
nized rifle or shotgun match or contest, or is engaged in hunting, 
in a State other than his State of residence and M'hose rifle or shot-
gun has been lost or stolen or has become inoperative in such other 
State, from purchasing a rifle or shotgun in such other State from 
a licensed dealer if such person presents to such dealer a sworn 
statement (i) that his rifle or shotgun was lost or stolen or became 
inoperative while participating in such a match or contest, or while 
engaged in hunting, in such other State, and (ii) identifying the 
chief law enforcement officer of the locality in which such person 
resides, to whom such licensed dealer shall forward such statement 
by registered mail; 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1219 
"(4) to any person any destructive device, niachinegun (as 
defined in section 5845 of the Interna,! Revenue Code of 1954), 
Short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle, excej)t as specifi-
cally authorized by the Secretary consistent with public safety and 
necessity; and 
" (5) any firearm or ammunition to any person unless the licensee 
notes in his records, required to be kept pursuant to section 923 of 
this chapter, the name, age, and place of residence of such person 
if the person is a.n individual, or the identity and principal and 
local places of business of such person if the person is a corporation 
or other business entity. 
Paragraphs (1), (2), (3), and (4) of this subsection shall not apply to 
transactions between licensed importers, licensed 
manufacturers, 
licensed dealers, and licensed collectors. Paragraph (4) of this sub-
section sha.ll not apply to a sale or delivery to any research organiza-
tion designated by the Secretary. 
"(c) In any case not otherwise prohibited by this chapter, a licensed 
importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer may sell a firearm 
to a person who does not appear in person at the licensee's business 
premises (other than another licensed importer, manufacturer, or 
dealer) only if— 
" (1) the transferee submits to the transferor a sworn statement 
in the following form: 
" 'Subject to penalties provided by law, I swear 
that, in the case of any firearm other than a shotgun 
or a rifle, I am twenty-one years or more of age, or 
that, in the case of a shotgun or a rifle, I am eighteen 
years or more of age; that I am not prohibited by the 
provisions of chapter 44 of title 18, United States 
Code, from receiving a firearm in interstate or for-
eign commerce; and that my receipt of this firearm 
will not be in violation of any statute of the State 
and published ordinance applicable to the locality 
in which I reside. Further, the true title, name, and 
address of the principal law enforcement officer of 
the locality to which the firearm will be delivered 
are 
Signature 
Date 
' 
and containing blank spaces for the attachment of a true copy 
of any permit or other information required pursuant to such 
statute or published ordinance; 
"(2) the transferor has, prior to the shipment or delivery of 
the firearm, forwarded by registered or certified mail (return 
receipt requested) a copy of the sworn statement, together with 
a description of the firearm, in a form prescribed by the Secretary, 
to the chief law enforcement officer of the transferee's place of 
residence, and has received a return receipt evidencing delivery 
of the statement or has had the statement returned due to the re-
fusal of the named addressee to accept such letter in accordance 
with United States Post Office Department regulations; and 
"(3) the transferor has delayed shipment or deliverj for a 
period of at least seven days following receipt of the notification 
of the acceptance or refusal of delivery of the statement. 
A copy of the sworn statement and a copy oi the notification to the local 
law enforcement officer, together with evidence of receipt or rejection 
of that notification shall be retained by the licensee as a part of the 
records required to be kept under section 923(g). 
Post, p. 1231. 
Recordkeeping. 
Ante, p. 1214. 
Recordkeeping. 
1220 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
"(d) It shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed manu-
facturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to sell or otherwise dis-
pose of any firearm or ammunition to any person knowing or having 
reasonable cause to believe that such person— 
" (1) is under indictment for, or has been convicted in anj court 
of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one 
year; 
"(2) is a fugitive from justice; 
"(3) is an unlawful user of or addicted to marihuana or any 
depressant or stimulant drug (as defined in section 201 (v) of the 
Trusc 3
2
^
K
^ 
Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) or narcotic drug (as 
74 Stat. 57. 
defined in section 4731 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954); 
26 use 4731. 
Qj. 
"(4) has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been 
committed to any mental institution. 
This subsection shall not apply with respect to the sale or disposition 
of a firearm or ammunition to a licensed importer, licensed manufac-
turer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector who pursuant to subsection 
(b) of section 925 of this chapter is not precluded from dealing in fire-
arms or ammunition, or to a person who has been granted relief from 
disabilities pursuant to subsection (c) of section 925 of this chapter. 
"(e) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to deliver or 
cause to be delivered to any common or contract carrier for transporta-
tion or shipment in interstate or foreign commerce, to persons other 
than licensed importers, licensed manufacturers, licensed dealers, or 
licensed collectors, any package or other container in whicli there is 
any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that 
such firearm or ammunition is being transported or shipped; except 
that any passenger who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammu-
nition being transported aboard any common or contract carrier for 
movement with the passenger in interstate or foreign commerce may 
deliver said firearm or ammunition into the custody of the pilot, cap-
tain, conductor or operator of such common or contract carrier for the 
duration of the trip without violating any of the provisions of this 
chapter. 
"(f) It shall be unlawful for any common or contract carrier to 
transport or deliver in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm or 
ammunition with knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that the 
shipment, transportation, or receipt thereof would be in violation of 
the provisions of this chapter. 
"(g) It shall be unlawful for any person— 
"(1) who is under indictment for, or who has been convicted in 
any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term 
exceeding one year; 
"(2) who is a fugitive from justice; 
"(3) who is an unlawful user of or addicted to marihuana or 
any depressant or stimulant drug (as defined in section 201 (v) 
of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) or narcotic drug 
(as defined in section 4731(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 
1954); or 
"(4) who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or who 
has been committed to a mental institution; 
to ship or transport any firearm or ammunition in interstate or foreign 
commerce. 
"(h) It shall be unlawful for any person— 
"(1) who is under indictment for, or who has been convicted in 
any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term 
exceeding one year; 
"(2) who is a fugitive from justice; 
1361. 
21 use 321. 
74 Stat. 57. 
26 use 4731. 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1221 
"(3) who is an unlawful user of or addicted to marihuana or 
any depressant or stimulant drug (as defined in section 201 (v) of 
the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act) or narcotic drug (as 
J°*^bc" 
defined in section 4731 (a) of the Internal Kevenue Code of 1954); 
or 
"(4) who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or who 
has been committed to any mental institution; 
to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been shipped or trans-
ported in interstate or foreign commerce. 
"(i) It shall be unlawful for any person to transport or ship in 
interstate or foreign commerce, any stolen firearm or stolen ammu-
nition, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the firearm 
or ammunition was stolen. 
"(j) It shall be unlawful for any person to receive, conceal, store, 
barter, sell, or dispose of any stolen firearm or stolen ammunition, or 
pledge or accept as security for a loan any stolen firearm or stolen 
ammunition, which is moving as, which is a part of, or which consti-
tutes, interstate or foreign commerce, knowing or having reasonable 
cause to believe .that the firearm or ammunition was stolen. 
"(k) It shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to transport, 
ship, or receive, in interstate or foreign commerce, any firearm which 
has had the importer's or manufacturer's serial number removed, oblit-
erated, or altered. 
" (1) Except as provided in section 925 (d) of this chapter, it shall be 
unlawful for any person knowingly to import or bring into the United 
States or any possession thereof any firearm or ammunition; and it 
shall be unlawful for any person knowingly to receive any firearm or 
ammunition which has been imported or brought into the United States 
or any possession thereof in violation of the provisions of this chapter. 
" (m) It shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed manu- 
Recordkeeping, 
facturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector knowingly to make any 
false entry in, to fail to make appropriate entry in, or to fail to properly 
maintain, any record which he is required to keep pursuant to section 
923 of this chapter or regulations promulgated thereunder. 
"§923. Licensing 
" (a) No person shall engage in business as a firearms or ammunition 
importer, manufacturer, or dealer until he has filed an application with, 
and received a license to do so from, the Secretary. The application 
shall be in such form and contain such information as the Secretary 
shall by regiilation prescribe. Each applicant shall pay a fee for obtain- 
^^^®-
ing such a license, a separate fee being required for each place in which 
the applicant is to do business, as follows: 
"(1) If the applicant is a manufacturer— 
"(A) of destructive devices or ammunition for destructive de-
vices, a fee of $1,000 per year; 
"(B) of firearms other than destructive devices, a fee of $50 
per vear; or 
"(C) of ammunition for firearms other than destructive de-
vices, a fee of $10 per year. 
" (2) If the applicant is an importer— 
"(A) of destructive devices or ammunition for destructive de-
vices, a fee of $1,000 per year; or 
"(B) of firearms other than destructive devices or ammunition 
for firearms other than destructive devices, a fee of $50 per year. 
" (3) If the applicant is a dealer— 
"(A) in destructive devices or ammunition for destructive 
devices, a fee of $1,000 per year; 
1222 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
"(B) who is a pawnbroker dealing in firearms other than 
destructive devices or ammunition for firearms other than destruc-
tive devices, a fee of $25 per year; or 
"(C) who is not a dealer in destructive devices or a pawn-
broker, a fee of $10 per year. 
"(b) Any person desiring to be licensed as a collector shall file an 
application for such license with the Secretary, The application shall 
be in such form and contain such information as the Secretary shall by 
regulation prescribe. The fee for such license shall be $10 per year. Any 
license granted under this subsection shall only apply to transactions 
in curios and relics. 
"(c) Upon the filing of a proj^er application and payment of the 
I>rescribed fee, the Secretary shall issue to a qualified applicant the 
appropriate license which, subject to the provisions of this chapter and 
other applicable provisions of law, shall entitle the licensee to trans-
port, ship, and receive firearms and ammunition covered by such license 
in interstate or foreign commerce during the period stated in the 
license. 
Approval. 
"(d)(1) Any application submitted under subsection (a) or (b) of 
this section shall be approved if— 
" (A) the applicant is twenty-one years of age or over; 
"(B) the applicant (including, in the case of a corporation, 
partnership, or association, any individual possessing, directly or 
indirectly, the power to direct or cause the direction of the man-
agement and policies of the corporation, partnership, or asso-
ciation) is not prohibited from transporting, shipping, or receiv-
ing firearms or ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce 
under section 922 (g) and (h) of this chapter; 
"(C) the applicant has not willfully violated any of the pro-
visions of this chapter or regulations issued thereunder; 
" ( D ) the applicant has not willfully failed to disclose any 
material information required, or has not made any false state-
ment as to any material fact, in connection with his application; 
and 
"(E) the applicant has in a State (i) premises from which he 
conducts business subject to license under this chapter or from 
which he intends to conduct such business within a reasonable 
period of time, or (ii) in the case of a collector, premises from 
which he conducts his collecting subject to license under this 
chapter or from which he intends to conduct such collecting within 
a reasonable period of time. 
" (2) The Seretary must approve or deny an application for a license 
within the forty-five-day period beginning on the date it is received. 
If the Secretary fails to act within such period, the applicant may file 
76 Stat. 744. 
j^j^ actiou uuder section 1361 of title 28 to compel the Secretary to act. 
If the Secretary approves an applicant's application, such applicant 
shall be issued a license upon the payment of the prescribed fee. 
Revocation. 
«^^^ 'pj^g Secretary may, after notice and opportunity for hearing, 
revoke any license issued under this section if the holder of such 
license has violated any provision of this chapter or any rule or regu-
lation prescribed by the Secretary under this chapter. The Secretary's 
action under this subsection may be reviewed only as provided in sub-
section (f) of this section. 
"(f) (1) Any person whose application for a license is denied and 
any holder of a license which is revoked shall receive a written notice 
from the Secretary stating specifically the grounds upon which the 
application was denied or upon which the license was revoked. Any 
notice of a revocation of a license shall be given to the holder of such 
license before the effective date of the revocation. 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1223 
" (2) If the Secretary denies an application for, or revokes, a license, 
"earing, 
he shall, upon request by the aggrieved party, promptly hold a hearing 
to review his denial or revocation. In the case of a revocation of a 
license, the Secretary shall upon the rec^uest of the holder of the license 
stay the effective date of the revocation. A hearing held under this 
paragraph shall be held at a location convenient to the aggrieved party. 
"(3) If after a hearing held under paragraph (2) the Secretary 
Judicial review. 
decides not to reverse his decision to deny an application or revoke a 
license, the Secretary shall give notice of his decision to the aggrieved 
party. The aggrieved party may at any time within sixty days after 
the date notice was given under this paragraph file a petition with the 
United States district court for the district in which he resides or has 
his principal place of business for a judicial review of such denial or 
revocation. In a proceeding conducted under this subsection, the court 
may consider any evidence submitted by the parties to the proceeding. 
If the court decides that the Secretary was not authorized to deny the 
application or to revoke the license, the court shall order the Secretary 
to take such action as may be necessary to comply with the judgment 
of the court. 
" (^) Each 1 icensed importer, licensed manufacturer,, licensed dealer, 
R ec ordk eep ing. 
and licensed collector shall maintain such records of importation, pro-
duction, shipment, receipt, sale, or other disposition, of firearms and 
ammunition at such place, for such period, and in such form as the 
Secretary may by regulations prescribe. Such importers, manufac-
turers, dealers, and collectors shall make such records available for 
inspection at all reasonable times, and shall submit to the Secretary 
such reports and information with respect to such records and the con-
tents thereof as he shall by regulations prescribe. The Secretary may 
enter during business hours the premises (including places of storage) 
of any firearms or ammunition importer, manufacturer, dealer, or col-
lector for the purpose of inspecting or examining (1) any records or 
documents required to be kept by such importer, manufacturer, dealer, 
or collector under the provisions of this chapter or regulations issued 
under this chapter, and (2) any firearms or ammunition kept or stored 
by such importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector at such premises. 
Upon the request of any State or any political subdivision thereof, the 
Secretary may make available to such State or an^ political subdivi-
sion thereof, any information which he may obtain by reason of the 
provisions of this chapter with respect to the identification of persons 
within such State or political subdivision thereof, who have purchased 
or received firearms or ammunition, together with a description of such 
firearms or ammunition. 
"(h) Licenses issued under the provisions of subsection (c) of this j. ^°^*'"^ °^ 
section shall be kept posted and kept available for inspection on the ""*" ^
* 
premises covered by the license. 
"(i) Licensed importers and licensed manufacturers shall identify, 
by means of a serial number engraved or cast on the receiver or frame 
or the weapon, in such manner as the Secretary shall bv regulations 
prescribe, each firearm imported or manufactured by sucli importer or 
manufacturer. 
"(j) This section shall not apply to anyone who engages only in 
Exemption. 
hand loading, reloading, or custom loading ammunition for his own 
firearm, and who does not hand load, reload, or custom load ammuni-
tion for others. 
"§924. Penalties 
"(a) Whoever violates any provision of this chapter or knowingly 
makes any false statement or representation with respect to the infor-
mation required by the provisions of this chapter to be kept in the rec-
ords of a person licensed under this chapter, or in applying for any 
96-600 O - 69 - 80 
1224 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
license or exemption or relief from disability under the provisions of 
this chapter, shall be fined not more than $5,000, or imprisoned not 
more than five years, or both, and shall become eligible for parole as 
the Board of Parole shall determine. 
"(b) Whoever, with intent to commit therewith an offense punish-
able by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year, or with knowledge 
or reasonable cause to believe that an offense punishable by imprison-
ment for a term exceeding one year is to be committed therewith, ships, 
transports, or receives a firearm or any ammunition in interstate or 
foreign commerce shall be fined not more than $10,000, or imprisoned 
not more than ten years, or both. 
"(c) Whoever— 
"(1) uses a firearm to commit any felony w^iich may be prose-
cuted in a court of the United States, or 
"(2) carries a firearm unlawfully during the commission of 
any felony which may be prosecuted in a court of the United 
States, 
shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for not less than one 
year nor more than 10 years. In the case of his second or subsequent 
conviction under this subsection, such person shall be sentenced to a 
term of imprisonment for not less than five years nor more than 25 
years, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, the court shall 
not suspend the sentence of such person or give him a probationary 
sentence. 
"(d) Any firearm or ammunition involved in or used or intended 
to be used in, any violation of the provisions of this chapter or any 
rule or regulation promulgated thereunder, or any violation of any 
other criminal law of the United States, shall be subject to seizure and 
forfeiture and all provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 
relating to the seizure, forfeiture, and disposition of firearms, as 
Post, p. 1230. 
(defined in section 5845(a) of that Code, shall, so far as applicable, 
extend to seizures and forfeitures under the provisions of this chapter. 
^'§925. Exceptions: Relief from disabilities 
"(a) (1) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply with respect 
to the transportation, shipment, receipt, or importation of any fire-
arm or ammunition imported for, sold or shipped to, or issued for the 
use of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or any 
State or any department, agency, or political subdivision thereof. 
"(2) The provisions of this chapter shall not apply with respect to 
(A) the shipment or receipt of firearms or ammunition when sold or 
issued by the Secretary of the Army pursuant to section 4308 of title 
10, and (B) the transportation of any such firearm or ammunition 
carried out to enable a person, who lawfully received such firearm 
or ammunition from the Secretary of the Army, to engage in military 
training or in competitions. 
"(3) Unless otherwise prohibited by this chapter or any other Fed-
eral law, a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer 
may ship to a member of the United States Armed Forces on active 
duty outside the United States or to clubs, recognized by the Depart-
ment of Defense, whose entire membership is composed of such mem-
bers, and such members or clubs may receive a firearm or ammunition 
determined by the Secretary of the Treasury to be generally recognized 
as particularly suitable for sporting purposes and intended for the 
personal use of such member or club. 
"(4) When established to the satisfaction of the Secretary to be 
consistent with the provisions of this chapter and other applicable 
Federal and State laws and published ordinances, the Secretary may 
70A Stat. 236. 
'United States.' 
Post, p. 1227. 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1225 
authorize the transportation, shipment, receipt, or importation into 
the United States to the place of residence of any member of the 
United States Armed Forces who is on active duty outside the United 
States (or who has been on active duty outside the United States 
within the sixty day period immediately preceding the transportation, 
shipment, receipt, or importation), of any firearm or ammunition 
which is (A) determined by the Secretary to be generally recognized 
as particularly suitable for sporting purposes, or determined by the 
Department of Defense to be a type of firearm normally classified as 
a war souvenir, and (B) intended for the personal use of such member. 
"(5) For the purpose of paragraphs (3) and (4) of this subsection, 
the term 'Ignited States' means each of the several States and the 
District of Columbia. 
"(b) A licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or 
licensed colleotor who is indicted for a crime punishable by imprison-
ment for a term exceeding one year, may, notwithstanding any other 
provision of this chapter, continue operation pursuant to his existing 
license (if prior to the expiration of the term of the existing license 
timely application is made for a new license) during the term of such 
indictment and until any conviction pursuant to the indictment becomes 
final. 
"(c) A person who has been convicted of a crime punishable by 
imprisonment for a term exceeding one year (other than a crime 
involving the use of a firearm or other weapon or a violation of this 
chapter or of the National Firearms Act) may make application to the 
Secretary for relief from the disabilities imposed by Federal laws with 
respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, or possession of 
firearms and incurred by reason of such conviction, and the Secretary 
may grant such relief if it is established to his satisfaction that the cir-
cumstances regarding the conviction, and the applicant's record and 
reputation, are such that the applicant will not be likely to act in a 
manner dangerous to public safety and that the granting of the relief 
would not be contrary to the public interest. A licensed importer, 
licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector conducting 
operations under this chapter, who makes application for relief from 
the disabilities incurred under this chapter by reason of such a convic-
tion, shall not be barred by such conviction from further operations 
under his license pending final action on an application for relief filed 
pursuant to this section. Whenever the Secretary grants relief to any 
de''aj''^''°" '", 
person pursuant to this section he shall promptly publish in the Federal 
* ^
"
^
^ Register 
Register notice of such action, together with the reasons therefor. 
"(d) The Secretary may authorize a firearm or ammunition to be 
imported or brought into the United States or any possession tliereof 
if the person importing or bringing in the firea,rm or ammunition 
establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the firearm or 
ammunition— 
" (1) is being imported or brought in for scientific or research 
purposes, or is for use in connection with competition or training 
pursuant to chapter 401 of title 10; 
^°^?^'*' ^^'^' 
"(2) is an unserviceable firearm, other than a machinegun as 4313 
^^°^ 
defined in section 5845(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 
P°st, P. 1231. 
(not readily restorable to firing condition), imported or brought 
in as a curio or museum piece; 
"(3) is of a type that does not fall within the definition of a 
firearm as defined in section 5845 (a) of the Internal Revenue Code 
of 1954 and is generally recognized as particularly suitable for or 
readily adaptable to sporting purposes, excluding surplus military 
firearms; or 
1226 
PUBLIC LAW 90.618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
" (4) was previously taken out of the United States or a posses-
sion by the person who is bringing in the firearm or ammunition. 
The Secretary may permit the conditional importation or bringing 
in of a firearm or ammunition for examination and testing in connec-
tion with the making of a determination as to whether the importation 
or bringing in of such firearm or ammunition will be allowed under this 
subsection. 
^'§926. Rules and regulations 
"The Secretary may prescribe such rules and regulations as he deems 
reasonably necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, in-
cluding— 
"(1) regulations providing that a person licensed under this 
chapter, when dealing with another person so licensed, shall pro-
vide such other licensed person a certified copy of this license; 
and 
' 
" (2) regulations providing for the issuance, at a reasonable cost, 
to a person licensed under this chapter, of certified copies of his 
license for use as provided under regulations issued under para-
graph (1) of this subsection. 
The Secretary shall give reasonable public notice, and afford to in-
terested parties opportunity for hearing, prior to prescribing such 
rules and regulations. 
"§927. Effect on State law 
"No provision of this chapter shall be construed as indicating an 
intent on the part of the Congress to occupy the field in which such 
provision operates to the exclusion of the law of any State on the same 
subject matter, unless there is a direct and positive conflict between 
such provision and the law of the State so that the two cannot be 
reconciled or consistently stand together. 
"§928. Separability 
"If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any 
person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the chapter 
and the application of such provision to other persons not similarly 
situated or to other circumstances shall not be affected thereby." 
SEC. 103. The administration and enforcement of the amendment 
made by this title shall be vested in the Secretary of the Treasury. 
SEC. 104. Nothing in this title or the amendment made thereby shall 
be construed as modifying or affecting any provision of— 
(a) the National Firearms Act (chapter 53 of the Internal 
Revenue Code of 1954); 
(b) section 414 of the Mutual Security Act of 1954 (22 U.S.C. 
1934), as amended, relating to munitions control; or 
.,*i Stat 781; 
(c) section 1715 of title 18, United States Code, relating to non-
63 Stat. 95. 
•^ 1 i
n 
7 
& 
mailable firearms. 
Effective dates. 
g^,^ ^05. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b), the provisions 
of chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, as amended by section 
102 of this title, shall take effect on December 16,1968. 
(b) The following sections of chapter 44 of title 18, United States 
Code, as amended by section 102 of this title shall take effect on the 
date of the enactment of this title: Sections 921, 922(1), 925(a) (1), 
and 925(d). 
Post, p. 1227. 
6< Stat. 848. 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1227 
TITLE II—MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, 
AND CERTAIN OTHER FIREARMS 
SEC. 201. Chapter 53 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is 
National Fire-
, 
, 
. 
-F 
« T, 
arms Act Arnend-
amended to read as follows: 
mems o
f loes. 
"CHAPTER 53—MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE 
DEVICES, AND CERTAIN OTHER FIREARMS 
"Subchapter A. Taxes. 
"Subchapter B. General provisions and exemptions. 
"Subchapter C. Prohibited acts. 
"Subchapter D. Penalties and forfeitures. 
"Subchapter A—^Taxes 
"Part 
I. Special (occupational) taxes. 
"Part II. Tax on transferring firearms. 
"Part III. Tax on making firearms. 
"PART I—SPECIAL (OCCUPATIONAL) TAXES 
"Sec. 5801. Tax. 
"Sec. 5802. Registration of importers, manufacturers, and dealers. 
"SEC. 5801. TAX. 
"On first engaging in business and thereafter on or before the first 
day of July of each year, every importer, manufacturer, and dealer in 
firearms snail pay a special (occupational) tax for each place of 
business at the following rates: 
" (1) IMPORTERS.—$500 a year or fraction thereof; 
" (2) MANUFACTURERS.—$500 a year or fraction thereof; 
" (3) DEALERS.—$200 a year or fraction thereof. 
Except an importer, manufacturer, or dealer who imports, manu-
factures, or deals in only weapons classified as 'any other weapon' 
under section 5845(e), shall pay a special (occupational) tax for each 
place of business at the following rates: Importers, $25 a year or 
fraction thereof; manufacturers, $25 a year or fraction thereof; 
dealers, $10 a year or fraction thereof. 
"SEC. 5802. REGISTRATION OF IMPORTERS, MANUFACTURERS, AND 
DEALERS. 
"On first engaging in business and thereafter on or before the first 
day of July of each year, each importer, manufacturer, and dealer in 
firearms shall register with tlie Secretary or his delegate in each 
internal revenue district in which such business is to be carried on, 
his name, including any trade name, and the address of each location 
in the district where he will conduct such business. Where there is a 
change during the taxable year in the location of, or the trade name 
ujsed m, such business, the importer, manufacturer, or dealer shall file 
an application with the Secretary or his delegate to amend his regis-
tration. Firearms operations of an importer, manufacturer, or dealer 
may not be commenced at the new location or under a new trade name 
prior to approval by the Secretary or his delegate of the application. 
68A Stat. 721. 
72 Stat. 1428. 
26 u s e 5801-
5862. 
1228 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
"PART II—TAX ON TRANSFERRING FIREARMS 
"Sec. 5811. Transfer tax. 
"Sec. 5812. Transfers. 
"SEC. 5811. TRANSFER TAX. 
"(a) RATE.—There shall be levied, collected, and paid on firearms 
transferred a tax at the rate of $200 for each firearm transferred, 
except, the transfer tax on any firearm classified as any other weapon 
under section 5845(e) shall be at the rate of $5 for each such firearm 
transferred. 
"(b) B Y WHOM PAID.—The tax imposed by subsection (a) of this 
section shall be paid by the transferor. 
"(c) PAYMENT.—The tax imposed by subsection (a) of this section 
shall be payable by the appropriate stamps prescribed for payment 
by the Secretary or his delegate. 
"SEC. 5812. TRANSFERS. 
"(a) APPLICATION.—A firearm shall not be transferred unless (1) 
the transferor of the firearm has filed with the Secretary or his dele-
gate a written application, in duplicate, for the transfer and registra-
tion of the firearm to the transferee on the application form prescribed 
by the Secretary or his delegate; (2) any tax payable on the transfer 
is paid as evidenced by the proper stamp affixed to the original appli-
cation form; (3) the transferee is identified in the application form 
in such manner as the Secretary or his delegate may by regulations 
prescribe, except that, if such person is an individual, the identifica-
tion must include his fingerprints and his photograph; (4) the trans-
feror of the firearm is identified in the application form in such man-
ner as the Secretary or his delegate may by regulations prescribe; (5) 
llie firearm is identified in tlie application form in such manner as the 
Secretary or his delegate may by regulations prescribe; and (6) the 
application form shows that the Secretary or his delegate has approved 
the transfer and the registration of the firearm to the transferee. Ap-
plications shall be denied if the transfer, receipt, or possession of the 
firearm would place the transferee in violation of law. 
" (b) TRANSFER OF POSSESSION.—The transferee of a firearm shall not 
take possession of the firearm unless the Secretary or his delegate has 
approved the transfer and registration of the firearm to the transferee 
as required by subsection (a) of this section. 
"PART III—TAX ON MAKING FIREARMS 
"Sec. 5821. Making tax. 
"Sec. 5822. Making. 
"SEC. 5821. MAKING TAX. 
"(a) RATE.—There shall be levied, collected, and paid upon the 
making of a firearm a tax at the rate of $200 for each firearm made. 
"(b) B Y WHOM PAID.—The tax imposed by subsection (a) of this 
section shall be paid by the person making the firearm. 
"(c) PAYMENT.—The tax imposed by subsection (a) of this section 
shall be payable by the stamp prescribed for payment by tlie Secretary 
or his delegate. 
"SEC. 5822. MAKING. 
"No person shall make a firearm unless he has (a) filed with the 
Secretary or his delegate a written application, in duplicate, to make 
and register the firearm on the form prescribed by the Secretary or his 
delegate; (b) paid any tax payable on the making and such payment 
is evidenced by the proper stamp affixed to the original application 
form; (c) identified the firearm to be made in the application form 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1229 
in such manner as the Secretary or his delegate may by regulations 
prescribe; (d) identified himself in the application form in such man-
ner as the Secretary or his delegate may by regulations prescribe, ex-
cept that, if such person is an individual, the identification must in-
clude his fingerprints and his photograph; and (e) obtained the ap-
proval of the Secretary or his delegate to make and register the firearm 
and the application form shows such approval. Applications shall be 
denied if the making or possession of the firearm would place the 
person making the firearm in violation of law. 
"Subchapter B—General Provisions and Exemptions 
"Part I. General provisions. 
"Part II. Exemptions. 
"PART I—GENERAL PROVISIONS 
"Sec. 5841. Registration of firearms. 
"Sec. 5842. Identification of firearms. 
"Sec. 5843. Records and returns. 
"Sec. 5844. Importation. 
"Sec. 5845. Definitions. 
"Sec. 5846. Other laws applicable. 
"Sec. 5847. Effect on other law. 
"Sec. 5848. Restrictive use of information. 
"Sec. 5849. Citation of chapter. 
"SEC. 5841. REGISTRATION OF FIREARMS. 
" (a) CENTRAL REGISTRY. 
The Secretary or his delegate shall main- ^ 
J^^o°"^^ f"J' 
• 
1 
• 
i> 
-ti n 
• 
^ 
T-r ', 
t e> 
, 
^ • t 
arms Registration 
tain a central registry of all firearms m the United States which are and Transfer Rec-
not in the possession or under the control of the United States. This "
"
"
"
^ 
registry shall l3e known as the National Firearms Registration and 
Transfer Record. The registry shall include— 
"(1) identification of the firearm; 
"(2) date of registration; and 
"(3) identification and address of person entitled to possession 
of the firearm. 
"(b) B Y WHOM REGISTERED.—Each manufacturer, importer, and 
maker shall register each firearm he manufactures, imports, or makes. 
Each fireai-m transferred shall be registered to the transferee by the 
transferor. 
"(c) How REGISITSRED.—Each manufacturer shall notify the Secre-
tary or his delegate of the manufacture of a firearm in such manner as 
may by regulations be prescribed and such notification shall effect the 
registration of the firearm required by this section. Each importer, 
maker, and transferor of a firearm shallj prior to importing, making, 
or transferring a firearm, obtain authorization in such manner as re-
quired by this chapter or regulations issued thereunder to import, 
make, or transfer the firearm, and such authorization shall effect the 
registration of the firearm required by this section. 
"(d) FIREARMS REGISTERED ON EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS ACT.—A 
person shown as possessing a firearm by the records maintained by the 
Secretary or his delegate pursuant to the National Firearms Act in 
^^^ ^*^' ^^i; 
force on the day immediately prior to the effective date of the National ^^fusc tsoi-
Firearms Act of 1968 shall be considered to have registered under this 5862. 
section the firearms in his possession which are disclosed by that record 
^°®'' P 1235. 
as being in his possession. 
"(e) PROOF OF REGISTRATION.—A person possessing a firearm regis-
tered as required by this section .shall retain proof of registration 
which shall be made available to the Secretary or his delegate upon 
request. 
1230 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
"SEC. 5842. IDENTIFICATION OF FIREARMS. 
"(a) 
IDENTIFICATION OF FIREARMS OTHER THAN DESTRUCTIVE 
DEVICES.—Each manufacturer and importer and anyone making a fire-
arm shall identify each firearm, other than a destructive device, manu-
factured, imported, or made by a serial number which may not be 
readily removed, obliterated, or altered, the name of the manufacturer, 
importer, or maker, and such other identification as the Secretary or 
his delegate may by regulations prescribe. 
"(b) FIREARMS WITHOUT SERIAL NUMBER.—Any person who pos-
sesses a fii'earm, other than a destructive device, which does not bear the 
serial number and other information required by subsection (a) of this 
section shall identify the firearm with a serial number assigned by the 
Secretary or his delegate and any other information the Secretary or 
his delegate may by regulations prescribe. 
"(c) IDENTIFICATION OF DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE.—Any firearm classi-
fied as a destructive device shall be identified in such manner as the Sec-
retary or his delegate may by regulations prescribe. 
"SEC. 5843. RECORDS AND RETURNS. 
"Importers, manufacturers, and dealers shall keep such records of, 
and render such returns in relation to, the importation, manufacture, 
making, receipt, and sale, or other disposition, of firearms as the Sec-
I'etary or his delegate may by regulations prescribe. 
"SEC. 5844. IMPORTATION. 
"No firearm shall be imported or brought into the United States or 
any territory under its control or jurisdiction unless the importer estab-
lishes, under regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary or his 
delegate, that the firearm to be imported or brought in is— 
"(1) being imported or brought in for the use of the United 
States or any department, independent establishment, or agency 
thereof or any State or possession or any political subdivision 
thereof; or 
" (2) being imported or brought in for scientific or research pur-
poses; or 
" (3) being imported or brought in solely for testing or use as a 
model by a registered manufacturer or solely for use as a sample 
by a registered importer or registered dealer; 
except that, the Secretary or his delegate may permit the conditional 
importation or bringing m of a firearm for examination and testing in 
connection with classifying the firearm. 
"SEC. 5845. DEFINITIONS. 
"For the purpose of this chapter— 
"(a) FIREARM.—The term 'firearm' means (1) a shotgun having a 
barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches in length; (2) 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; 
(3) a rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length; 
(4) 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; (5) any other weapon, as defined in subsection 
(e); (6) a machinegun; (7) a muffler or a silencer for any firearm 
whether or not such firearm is included within this definition; and (8) 
a destructive device. The term 'firearm' shall not include an antique 
firearm or any device (other than a machinegun or destructive device) 
which, although designed as a weapon, the Secretary or his delegate 
finds by reason of the date of its manufacture, value, design, and 
other characteristics is primarily a collector's item and is not likely 
to be used as a weapon. 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1231 
"(b) MACHINEGUN.—The term 'machinegun' means 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 combination of parts designed 
and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and 
any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled 
if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person. 
"(c) RIFLE.—The term 'rifle' means a weapon designed or rede-
signed, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder and 
designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of the 
explosive in a fixed cartridge to fire only a single projectile through 
a rifled bore for each single pull of the trigger, and shall include any 
such weapon which may oe readily restored to fire a fixed cartridge. 
"(d) SHOTGUN.—The term 'shotgun' means a weapon designed or 
redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder 
and designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of 
the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore 
either a number of projectiles (ball shot) or a single projectile for each 
pull of the trigger, and shall include any such weapon which may be 
leadily restored to fire a fixed shotgun shell. 
"(e) ANY OTHER WEAPON.—The term 'any other weapon' means any 
weapon or device capable of being concealed on the person from which 
a shot can be discharged through the energy of an explosive, a pistol or 
revolver having a barrel with a smooth bore designed or redesigned to 
fire a fixed shotgun shell, weapons with combination shotgun and rifle 
barrels 12 inches or more, less than 18 inches in length, from which only 
a single discharge can be made from either barrel without manual 
reloading, and shall include any such weapon which may be readily 
I'estored to fire. Such term shall not include a pistol or a revolver having 
a rifled bore, or rifled bores, or weapons designed, made, or intended to 
be fired from the shoulder and not capable of firing fixed ammunition. 
"(f) DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE.—The term 'destructive device' means (1) 
any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas (A) bomb, (B) grenade, 
(C) rocket having a propellent charge of more than four ounces, (D) 
missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-
quarter ounce, (E) mine, or (F) similar device; (2) any type of 
weapon by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily 
converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other 
propellant, the barrel or barrels of which have a bore of more than 
one-half inch in diameter, except a shotgun or shotgun shell which the 
Secretary or his delegate finds is generally recognized as particularly 
suitable for sporting purposes; and (3) any combination of parts 
either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a 
destructive device as defined in subparagraphs (1) and (2) and from 
which a destructive device may be readily assembled. The term 'destruc-
tive device' shall not include any device which is neither designed nor 
redesigned for use as a weapon; any device, although originally 
designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, 
pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety, or similar device; surplus ordnance 
sold, loaned, or given by the Secretary of the Army pursuant to the 
provisions of section 4684(2), 4685, or 4686 of title 10 of the United 
^^^ ^tat. 263. 
States Code; or any other device which the Secretary of the Treasury 
or his delegate finds is not likely to be used as a weapon, or is an 
antique or is a rifle which the owner intends to use solely for sporting 
purposes. 
"(g) ANTIQUE FIREARM.—The term 'antique firearm' means any 
firearm not designed or redesigned for using rim fire or conventional 
1232 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
center fire ignition with fixed ammunition and manufactured in or 
before 1898 (including any matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or 
similar type of ignition system or replica thereof, whether actually 
manufactured before or after the year 1898) and also any firearm 
using fixed ammunition manufactured in or before 1898, for which 
ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is 
not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade. 
"(h) UNSERVICEABLE FIREABM.—The term 'unserviceable 
firearm' 
means a firearm which is incapable of discharging a shot by means of 
an explosive and incapable of being readily restored to a firing condi-
tion. 
"(i) MAKE.—The term 'make', and the various derivatives of such 
word, shall include manufacturing (other than by one qualified to 
engage in such business under this chapter), putting together, alter-
ing, any combination of these, or otherwise producing a firearm. 
"(j) TRANSFER.—The term 'transfer' and the various derivatives of 
such word, shall include selling, assigning, pledging, leasing, loaning, 
giving away, or otherwise disposing of. 
"(k) DEALER.—The term 'dealer' means any person, not a manu-
facturer or importer, engaged in the business of selling, renting, leas-
ing, or loaning firearms and shall include pawnbrokers who accept 
firearms as collateral for loans. 
"(1) IMPORTER.—The term 'importer' means any person who is 
engaged in the business of importing or bringing firearms into the 
United States. 
"(m) MANUFACTURER.—The term 'manufacturer' means any person 
who is engaged in the business of manufacturing firearms. 
"SEC. 5846. OTHER LAWS APPLICABLE. 
"All provisions of law relating to special taxes imposed by chapter 
26 use 50of- 
^^ ^^^ ^^ engraving, issuance, sale, accountability, cancellation, and 
5692. 
' 
distribution of stamps for tax payment shall, insofar as not incon-
Post, p. 1235. 
sistent with the provisions of this chapter, be applicable with respect 
to the taxes imposed by sections 5801, 5811, and 5821. 
"SEC. 5847. EFFECT ON OTHER LAWS. 
"Nothing in this chapter shall be construed a,s modifying or affect-
ing the requirements of section 414 of the Mutual Security Act of 1954, 
68 Stat. 848. 
as amended, with respect to the manufacture, exportation, and importa-
22 u s e 1934. 
.• 
*
» 
*j * 
1
*
1 
j_ 
{* 
tion oi arms, ammunition, and implements oi war. 
"SEC. 5848. RESTRICTIVE USE OF INFORMATION. 
"(a) GENERAL RULE.—No information or evidence obtained from 
an application, registration, or records required to be submitted or 
retained by a natural person in order to comply with any provision 
of this chapter or regulations issued thereunder, shall, except a.s pro-
vided in subsection (b) of this section, 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 the records con-
taining the information or evidence. 
"(b) FURNISHING FALSE INFORMATION.—Subsection (a) of this sec-
tion .shall not preclude the use of any such information or evidence 
in a prosecution or other action under any applicable provision of 
law with respect to the furnishing of false information. 
"SEC. 5849. CITATION OF CHAPTER. 
"This chapter may be cited as the 'National Firearms Act' and any 
reference in any other provision of law to the 'National Firearms Act' 
shall be held to refer to the provisions of this chapter. 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1233 
"PART II—EXEMPTIONS 
"Sec. 5851. Si>ecial (occupational) tax exemption. 
"Sec. .5852. General transfer and making exemption. 
"Sec. 5853. Exemption from transfer and making tax available to 
certain governmental entities and oflScials. 
"Sec. 5854. Exportation of firearms exempt from transfer tax. 
"SEC. 5851. SPECIAL (OCCUPATIONAL) TAX EXEMPTION. 
" (a) BUSINESS W I T H UNITED STATES.—Any person required to pay 
special (occupational) tax under section 5801 shall be relieved from 
payment of that tax if he establishes to the satisfaction of the Secre-
tary or his delegate that his business is conducted exclusively with, or 
on behalf of, the United States or any department, independent estab-
lishment, or agency thereof. The Secretary or his delegate may relieve 
any person manufacturing firearms for, or on behalf of, the United 
States from compliance with any provision of this chapter in the con-
duct of such business. 
"(b) APPLICATION.—The exemption provided for in subsection (a) 
of this section may be obtained by filing with the Secretary or his dele-
gate an application on such form and containing such information as 
may by regulations be prescribed. The exemptions must thereafter be 
Renewal, 
renewed on or before July 1 of each year. Approval of the application 
by the Secretary or his delegate shall entitle the applicant to the exemp-
tions stated on the approved application. 
"SEC. 5852. GENERAL TRANSFER AND MAKING TAX EXEMPTION. 
"(a) TRANSFER.—Any firearm may be transferred to the United 
States or any department, independent establishment, or agency 
thereof, without payment of the transfer tax imposed by section 5811. 
"(b) MAKING BY A PERSON OTHER THAN A QUALIFIED MANU-
FACTURER.—Any firearm may be made by, or on behalf of, the United 
States, or any department, independent establishment, or agency 
thereof, without payment of the making tax imposed by section 5821. 
"(c) MAKING BY A QUALIFIED MANUFACTURER.—A manufacturer 
qualified under this chapter to engage in such business may make the 
type of firearm which he is qualified to manufacture without payment 
of the making tax imposed by section 5821. 
"(d) TRANSFERS BETWEEN SPECIAL (OCCUPATIONAL) TAXPAYERS.— 
A firearm registered to a person qualified under this chapter to engage 
in business as an importer, manufacturer, or dealer may be transferred 
by that person without payment of the transfer tax imposed by sec-
tion 5811 to any other person qualified under this chapter to manu-
facture, import, or deal in that type of firearm. 
"(e) UNSERVICEABLE FIREARM.—An unserviceable firearm may be 
transferred as a curio or ornament without payment of the transfer 
tax imposed by section 5811, under such requirements as the Secretary 
or his delegate may by regulations prescribe. 
"(f) RIGHT TO EXEMPTION.—No firearm may be transferred or made 
exempt from tax under the provisions of this section unless the trans-
fer or making is performed pursuant to an application in such form 
and manner as the Secretary or his delegate may by regulations 
prescribe. 
"SEC. 5853. TRANSFER AND MAKING TAX EXEMPTION AVAILABLE TO 
CERTAIN GOVERNMENTAL ENTITIES. 
"(a) TRANSFER,—A firearm may be transferred without the pay-
ment of the transfer tax imposed by section 5811 to any State, posses-
sion of the United States, any political subdivision thereof, or any 
official police organization of such a government entity engaged in 
criminal investigations. 
"(b) MAKING.—A firearm may be made without payment of the 
making tax imposed by section 5821 by, or on behalf of, any State, or 
1234 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
posseasion of the United States, any political subdivision thereof, or 
any official police organization of such a government entity engaged 
in criminal investigations. 
" (c) RIGHT TO EXEMPTION.—No firearm may be transferred or made 
exempt from tax under this section unless the transfer or making is 
performed pursuant to an application in such form and manner as the 
Secretary or his delegate may by regulations prescribe. 
"SEC. 5854. EXPORTATION OF FIREARMS EXEMPT FROM TRANSFER 
TAX. 
"A firearm may be exported without payment of the traiusfer tax 
imposed under section 5811 provided that proof of the exportation is 
furnished in such form and manner as the Secretary or his delegate 
may by regulations prescribe. 
"Subchapter C—Prohibited Acts 
"SEC. 5861. PROHIBITED ACTS. 
"It shall be unlawful for any person— 
"(a) to engage in business as a manufacturer or importer of, 
or dealer in, firearms without having paid the special (occupa-
tional) tax required by section 5801 for his business or having 
registered as required by section 5802; or 
"(b) to receive or possess a firearm transferred to him in viola-
tion of the provisions of this chapter; or 
"(c) to receive or possess a firearm made in violation of the 
provisions of this chapter; or 
"(d) to receive or possess a firearm which is not registered to 
him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record; 
or 
"(e) to transfer a firearm in violation of the provisions of this 
chapter; or 
"(f) to make a firearm in violation of the provisions of this 
chapter; or 
"(g) to obliterate, remove, change, or alter the serial number or 
other identification of a firearm required by this chapter; or 
"(h) to receive or possess a firearm having the serial number or 
other identification required by this chapter obliterated, removed, 
changed, or altered; or 
"(i) to receive or possess a firearm which is not identified by a 
serial number as required by this chapter; or 
"(j) to transport, deliver, or receive any firearm in interstate 
commerce which has not been registered as required by this chap-
ter; or 
" (k) to receive or possess a firearm which has been imported or 
brought into the United States in violation of section 5844; or 
"(1) to make, or cause the making of, a false entry on any 
application, return, or record required by this chapter, knowing 
such entry to be false. 
"Subchapter D—Penalties and Forfeitures 
"Sec. 5871. Penalties. 
"Sec. 5872. Forfeitures. 
"SEC. 5871. PENALTIES. 
"Any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of 
this chapter shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than $10,000, 
or be imprisoned not more than ten years, or both, and shall become 
eligible for parole as the Board of Parole shall determine. 
Ante, p. 1229. 
82 STAT. ] 
PUBLIC LAW 90-618-OCT. 22, 1968 
1235 
"SEC. 5872. FORFEITURES. 
"(a) LAWS APPLICABLE.—Any firearm involved in any violation of 
the provisions of this chapter shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture, 
and (except as provided in subsection (b)) all the provisions of inter-
nal revenue laws relating to searches, seizures, and forfeitures of 
unstamped articles are extended to and made to apply to the articles 
taxed under this chapter, and the persons to whom this chapter applies. 
"(b) DISPOSAL.—In the case of the forfeiture of any firearm by 
reason of a violation of this chapter, no notice of public sale shall be 
required; no such firearm shall be sold at public sale; if such firearm is 
forfeited for a violation of this chapter and there is no remission or 
mitigation of forfeiture thereof, it shall be delivered by the Secretary 
or his delegate to the Administrator of General Services, General 
Services Administration, who may order such firearm destroyed or 
may sell it to any State, or possession, or political subdivision thereof, 
or at the request of the Secretary or his delegate, may authorize its 
retention for official use of the Treasury Department, or may transfer 
it without charge to any executive department or independent estab-
lishment of the Government for use by it." 
SEC. 202. The amendments made by section 201 of this title shall be ^J^^^^l^°^ °^ 
cited as the "National Firearms Act Amendments of 1968". 
°"'*" ™
^
" ^
* 
SEC. 203. (a) Section 6107 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is 
R«P««I- 
„ , 
, 
, 
^ ' 
68A Stat. 756. 
repealed. 
26 use eio?. 
(b) The table of sections for subchapter B of chapter 61 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is amended by striking out: 
"Sec. 6107. List of special taxi^ayers for public inspection." 
SEC. 204. Section 6806 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is 
amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 6806. OCCUPATIONAL TAX STAMPS. 
"Every person engaged in any business, avocation, or employment, 
who is thereby made liable to a special tax (other than a special tax 
under subchapter B of chapter 35, under subchapter B of chapter 36, 
or under subtitle E) shall place and keep conspicuously in his estab- sooi-sseV. 
lishment or place of business all stamps denoting payment of such 
special tax." 
SEC. 205. Section 7273 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is 
amended to read as follows: 
"SEC. 7273. PENALTIES FOR OFFENSES RELATING TO SPECIAL TAXES. 
"Any person who shall fail to place and keep stamps denoting the 
payment of the special tax as provided in section 6806 shall be liable to 
a penalty (not less than $10) equal to the special tax for which his busi-
ness rendered him liable, unless such failure is shown to be due to 
reasonable cause. If such failure to comply with section 6806 is through 
willful neglect or refusal, then the penalty shall be double the amount 
above prescribed." 
SE('. 206. (a) Section 5692 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is 
R«P««I- , ,, 
1 
•
• 
^ ' 
72 Stat. 1 4 1 3 . 
repealed. 
(b) The table of sections for part V of subchapter J of chapter 51 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 is amended by striking out: 
"Sec. 5692. Penalties relating to posting of special tax stamps." 
SEC. 207. (a) Section 201 of thi.s title shall take effect on the first Effective dates. 
day of the first month following the month in which it is enacted. 
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) or any other 
provision of law, any person possessing a firearm as dienned in section 
5845(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (as amended by this 
title) which is not registered to him in the National Firearms Registra- 
^"^^' ^- ^^^°-
26 
use 4411-
4414, 
4461- 
4463, 
1236 
PUBLIC LAW 90-619-OCT. 22, 1968 
[82 STAT. 
Ante, p. 1229. 
Effective date. 
Publication in 
Federal Register. 
tion and Transfer Record shall register each firearm so possessed with 
the Secretary of the Treasury or his delegate in such form and manner 
as the Secretary or his delegate may require within the thirty days 
immediately following the effective date of section 201 of this Act. 
Such registrations shall become a part of the National Firearms Regis-
tration and Transfer Record required to be maintained by section 
5841 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (as amended by this title). 
No information or evidence required to be submitted or retained by a 
natural person to register a firearm under this section shall be used, 
directly or indirectly, as evidence against such person in any criminal 
proceeding with respect to a prior or concurrent violation of law. 
(c) The amendments made by sections 202 through 206 of this title 
shall take effect on the date of enactment. 
(d) The Secretary of the Treasury, after publication in the Federal 
Register of his intention to do so, is authorized to establish such periods 
of amnesty, not to exceed ninety days in the case of any single period, 
and immunity from liability during any such period, as the Secretary 
determines will contribute to the purposes of this title. 
TITLE III—AMENDMENTS TO TITLE VII OF THE OMNI-
BUS CRIME CONTROL AND SAFE STREETS ACT OF 
1968 
Ante, p. 236. 
"Felony. 
Effective date. 
SEC. 301. (a) Title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe 
Streets Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-351) is amended— 
(1) by striking out "other than honorably discharged" in sec-
tion 1201, and substituting therefor "discharged under dishon-
orable conditions"; and 
(2) by striking out "other than honorable conditions" in sub-
sections (a) (2) and (b) (2) of section 1202 and substituting there-
for in each instance "dishonorable conditions". 
(b) Section 1202(c) (2) of such title is amended to read as follows: 
"(2) 'felony' means any offense punishable by imprisonment 
for a term exceeding one year, but does not include any offense 
(other than one involving a firearm or explosive) classified as a 
misdemeanor under the laws of a State and punishable by a term 
of imprisonment of two years or less;". 
SEC. 302. The amendments made by paragraphs (1) and (2) of 
subsection (a) of section 301 shall take effect as of June 19, 1968. 
Approved October 22, 1968. 
October 22, 1968 
[H.R. 14095] 
Taxes. 
Wine spirits. 
72 Stat. 1382. 
26 use 5373-
Public Law 90-619 
AN ACT 
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 so as to make certain changes to 
facilitate the production of wine, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representatives 
of the 
United /States of America in Congress assemblea, That the first sen-
tence of section 5373(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (re-
lating to wine spirits) is amended to read as follows: "The wine 
spirits authorized to be used in wine production shall be brandy or 
wine spirits produced in a distilled spirits plant (with or without the 
use of water to facilitate extraction and distillation) exclusively from— 
" (1) fresh or dried fruit, or their residues, 
" (2) the wine or wine residues therefrom, or 
" (3) special natural wine under such conditions as the Secretary 
or his delegate may by regulations prescribe; 
except that where, in the production of natural wine or special natural