Firearms Owners' Protection Act
PL 99-308 (S.49), enacted 05/19/1986

PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
100 STAT. 449 
Public Law 99-308 
99th Congress 
An Act 
May 19, 1986 
[S. 49] 
Firearms 
Owners' 
Protection Act. 
18 u s e 921 note. 
To amend chapter 44 (relating to firearms) of title 18, United States Code, and for 
other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS. 
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the "Firearms Owners' 
Protection Act". 
(b) CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS.—The Congress finds that— 
(1) the rights of citizens— 
(A) to keep and bear arms under the second amendment 
to the United States Constitution; 
(B) to security against illegal and unreasonable searches 
and seizures under the fourth amendment; 
(C) against uncompensated taking of property, double 
jeopardy, and assurance of due process of law under the 
fifth amendment; and 
(D) against unconstitutional exercise of authority under 
the ninth and tenth amendments; 
require additional legislation to correct existing firearms stat-
utes and enforcement policies; and 
(2) additional legislation is required to reaffirm the intent of 
the Congress, as expressed in section 101 of the Gun Control Act 
of 1968, that "it is not the purpose of this title to place any 18 USC 921 note. 
undue or unnecessary Federal restrictions or burdens on law-
abiding citizens with respect to the acquisition, possession, or 
use of firearms appropriate to the purpose of hunting, trap-
shooting, 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.". 
SEC. 101. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 921. 
Section 921 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(10), by striking out "manufacture o f and 
inserting in lieu thereof "business of manufacturing"; 
(2) in subsection (a)(ll)(A), by striking out "or ammunition"; 
(3) in subsection (a)(12), by striking out "or ammunition"; 
(4) in subsection (a)(13), by striking out "or ammunition"; 
(5) by amending paragraph (20) of subsection (a) to read as 
follows: 
"(20) The term 'crime punishable by imprisonment for a term 
exceeding one year' does not include— 
"(A) any Federal or State offenses pertaining to antitrust 
violations, unfair trade practices, restraints of trade, or other 
similar offenses relating to the regulation of business practices, 
or 
Law 
enforcement 
and crime. 
71-19/, 0 - 89 - 17 : <X 3 P a r t i 
100 STAT. 450 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308-MAY 19, 1986 
Business and 
industry. 
18 use 921. 
Imports. 
Imports. 
"(B) any State offense classified by the laws of the State as a 
misdemeanor and punishable by a term of imprisonment of two 
years or less. 
What constitutes a conviction of such a crime shall be determined in 
accordance with the law of the jurisdiction in which the proceedings 
were held. Any conviction which has been expunged, or set aside or 
for which a person has been pardoned or has had civil rights 
restored shall not be considered a conviction for purposes of this 
chapter, unless such pardon, expungement, or restoration of civil 
rights expressly provides that the person may not ship, transport, 
possess, or receive firearms."; and 
(6) in subsection (a), by inserting after paragraph (20) the 
following new paragraphs: 
"(21) The term 'engaged in the business' means— 
"(A) as applied to a manufacturer of firearms, a person who 
devotes time, attention, and labor to manufacturing firearms as 
a regular course of trade or business with the principal objective 
of livelihood and profit through the sale or distribution of the 
firearms manufactured; 
"(B) as applied to a manufacturer of ammunition, a person 
who devotes time, attention, and labor to manufacturing 
ammunition as a regular course of trade or business with the 
principal objective of livelihood and profit through the sale or 
distribution of the ammunition manufactured; 
"(C) as applied to a dealer in firearms, as defined in section 
921(a)(ll)(A), a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to 
dealing in firearms as a regular course of trade or business with 
the principal objective of livelihood and profit through the 
repetitive purchase and resale of firearms, but such term shall 
not include a person who makes occasional sales, exchanges, or 
purchases of firearms for the enhancement of a personal collec-
tion or for a hobby, or who sells all or part of his personal 
collection of firearms; 
"(D) as applied to a dealer in firearms, as defined in section 
921(a)(ll)(B), a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to 
engaging in such activity as a regular course of trade or busi-
ness with the principal objective of livelihood and profit, but 
such term shall not include a person who makes occasional 
repairs of firearms, or who occasionally fits special barrels, 
stocks, or trigger mechanisms to firearms; 
"(E) as applied to an importer of firearms, a person who 
devotes time, attention, and labor to importing firearms as a 
regular course of trade or business with the principal objective 
of livelihood and profit through the sale or distribution of the 
firearms imported; and 
"(F) as applied to an importer of ammunition, a person who 
devotes time, attention, and labor to importing ammunition as a 
regular course of trade or business with the principal objective 
of livelihood and profit through the sale or distribution of the 
ammunition imported. 
"(22) The term 'with the principal objective of livelihood and 
profit' means that the intent underlying the sale or disposition of 
firearms is predominantly one of obtaining livelihood and pecuniary 
gain, as opposed to other intents, such as improving or liquidating a 
personal firearms collection. 
"(23) The term 'machinegun' has the meaning given such term in 
section 58450)) of the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5845(b)). 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
100 STAT. 451 
"(24) The terms 'firearm silencer' and 'firearm muffler' mean any 
device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable 
firearm, including any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, 
and intended for use in assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer 
or firearm muffler, and any part intended only for use in such 
assembly or fabrication.". 
SEC. 102. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 922. 
Section 922 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) so that paragraph (1) of subsection (a) reads as follows: 
"(1) for any person— 
"(A) except a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, 
or licensed dealer, to engage in the business of importing, 
manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, or in the course of 
such business to ship, transport, or receive any firearm in 
interstate or foreign commerce; or 
"(B) except a licensed importer or licensed manufacturer, 
to engage in the business of importing or manufacturing 
ammunition, or in the course of such business, to ship, 
transport, or receive any ammunition in interstate or for-
eign commerce;"; 
(2) in subsection (a)(2)— 
(A) by striking out "or ammunition"; and 
(B) by striking out "or licensed dealer for the sole purpose 
of repair or customizing;" and inserting in lieu thereof 
"licensed dealer, or licensed collector;"; 
(3) in subsection (a)(3), by striking out "(B)" and all that 
follows through "(b)(3) of this section," and inserting in lieu 
thereof the following: "(B) shall not apply to the transportation 
or receipt of a firearm obtained in conformity with subsection 
(b)(3) of this section,"; 
(4) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (2), by striking out "or ammunition" 
each place it appears; 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking out "(A)" and all that 
follows through "intrastate transactions other than at the 
licensee's business premises," and inserting in lieu thereof 
"(A) shall not apply to the sale or delivery of any rifle or 
shotgun to a resident of a State other than a State in which 
the licensee's place of business is located if the transferee 
meets in person with the transferor to accomplish the 
transfer, and the sale, delivery, and receipt fully comply 
with the legal conditions of sale in both such States (and 
any licensed manufacturer, importer or dealer shall be 
presumed, for purposes of this subparagraph, in the absence 
of evidence to the contrary, to have had actual knowledge of 
the State laws and published ordinances of both States),"; 
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting "and" before "(B)"; 
(D) in paragraph (3), by striking out ", and (C)" and all 
that follows through the end of such paragraph and insert-
ing in lieu thereof a semicolon; and 
(E) in paragraph (5), by striking out "or ammunition 
except .22 caliber rimfire ammunition" and inserting "or 
armor-piercing ammunition" in lieu thereof; 
(5) in subsection (d)— 
Law 
enforcement 
and crime. 
Commerce and 
trade. 
100 STAT. 452 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
Drugs and drug 
abuse. 
Aliens. 
Drugs and drug 
abuse. 
Aliens. 
(A) by striking out "licensed importer, licensed manufac-
turer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector" the first place it 
appears and inserting in lieu thereof "person"; 
(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: 
"(3) is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled 
substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Sub-
stances Act (21 U.S.C. 802));"; 
(C) in paragraph (4), by striking out the period and insert-
ing in lieu thereof a semicolon; and 
(D) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following: 
"(5) who, being an alien, is illegally or unlawfully in the 
United States; 
"(6) who has been discharged from the Armed Forces under 
dishonorable conditions; or 
"(7) who, having been a citizen of the United States, has 
renounced his citizenship."; 
(6) in subsection (g)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking out "is under indictment 
for, or who"; 
(B) by amending paragraph (3) to read as follows: 
"(3) is an unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled 
substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Sub-
stances Act (21 U.S.C. 802));"; 
(C) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following new 
paragraphs: 
"(5) who, being an alien, is illegally or unlawfully in the 
United States; 
"(6) who has been discharged from the Armed Forces under 
dishonorable conditions; or 
"(7) who, having been a citizen of the United States, has 
renounced his citizenship;"; and 
(D) by striking out "to ship or transport any firearm or 
ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce." and insert-
ing in lieu thereof "to ship or transport in interstate or 
foreign commerce, or possess in or affecting commerce, any 
firearm 
or ammunition; or to receive any firearm or 
ammunition which has been shipped or transported in 
interstate or foreign commerce."; 
(7) so that subsection (h) reads as follows: 
"(h) It shall be unlawful for any individual, who to that individ-
ual's knowledge and while being employed for any person described 
in any paragraph of subsection (g) of this section, in the course of 
such employment— 
"(1) to receive, possess, or transport any firearm or ammuni-
tion in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce; or 
"(2) to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been 
shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce."; 
(8) by inserting after subsection (m) the following: 
"(n) It shall be unlawful for any person who is under indictment 
for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one 
year to ship or transport in interstate or foreign commerce any 
firearm or ammunition or receive any firearm or ammunition which 
has been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce."; 
and 
(9) by inserting after the subsection added by paragraph (8) of 
this section the following: 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
100 STAT. 453 
"(oXD Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for 
any person to transfer or possess a machinegun. 
"(2) This subsection does not apply with respect to— 
"(A) a transfer to or by, or possession by or under the author-
ity of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or 
a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision 
thereof; or 
"(B) any lawful transfer or lawful possession of a machinegun 
that was lawfully possessed before the date this subsection takes 
effect.". 
SEC. 103. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 923. 
Section 923 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)— 
(A) by striking out the first sentence and inserting in lieu 
thereof "No person shall engage in the business of import-
ing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, or importing or 
manufacturing ammunition, until he has filed an applica-
tion with and received a license to do so from the Sec-
retary."; and 
(B) by striking out "and contain such information", and 
inserting in lieu thereof "and contain only that information 
necessary to determine eligibility for licensing."; 
(2) in subsection (a)(3)(B), by striking out "or ammunition for 
firearms other than destructive devices,"; 
(3) in subsection (b), by striking out "and contain such 
information" and inserting in lieu thereof "and contain only 
that information necessary to determine eligibility"; 
(4) in subsection (c), by adding at the end "Nothing in this 
chapter shall be construed to prohibit a licensed manufacturer, 
importer, or dealer from maintaining and disposing of a per-
sonal collection of firearms, subject only to such restrictions as 
apply in this chapter to dispositions by a person other than a 
licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer. If any firearm is so 
disposed of by a licensee within one year after its transfer from 
his business inventory into such licensee's personal collection or 
if such disposition or any other acquisition is made for the 
purpose of willfully evading the restrictions placed upon licens-
ees by this chapter, then such firearm shall be deemed part of 
such licensee's business inventory."; 
(5) in subsection (e), by inserting "willfully" before "violated"; 
(6) in subsection (f)— 
(A) in paragraph (3)— 
(i) by inserting "de novo" before "judicial"; and 
(ii) by inserting "whether or not such evidence was 
considered at the hearing held under paragraph (2)." 
after "to the proceeding"; and 
(B) by adding at the end the following new paragraph: 
"(4) If criminal proceedings are instituted against a licensee alleg-
ing any violation of this chapter or of rules or regulations prescribed 
under this chapter, and the licensee is acquitted of such charges, or 
such proceedings are terminated, other than upon motion of the 
Government before trial upon such charges, the Secretary shall be 
absolutely barred from denying or revoking any license granted 
under this chapter where such denial or revocation is based in whole 
or in part on the facts which form the basis of such criminal 
charges. No proceedings for the revocation of a license shall be 
Imports. 
Law 
enforcement 
and crime. 
100 STAT. 454 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
instituted by the Secretary more than one year after the filing of the 
indictment or information."; 
(7) so that subsection (g) reads as follows: 
Records. 
"(g)(1)(A) Each licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, and li-
censed dealer shall maintain such records of importation, produc-
tion, shipment, receipt, sale, or other disposition of firearms at his 
place of business for such period, and in such form, as the Secretary 
may by regulations prescribe. Such importers, manufacturers, and 
dealers shall not be required to submit to the Secretary reports and 
information with respect to such records and the contents thereof, 
except as expressly required by this section. The Secretary, when he 
has reasonable cause to believe a violation of this chapter has 
occurred and that evidence thereof may be found on such premises, 
may, upon demonstrating such cause before a Federal magistrate 
and securing from such magistrate a warrant authorizing entry, 
enter during business hours the premises (including places of stor-
age) of any licensed firearms importer, licensed manufacturer, li-
censed dealer, licensed collector, or any licensed importer or 
manufacturer of ammunition, for the purpose of inspecting or 
examining— 
"(i) any records or documents required to be kept by such 
licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or 
licensed collector under this chapter or rules or regulations 
under this chapter, and 
"(ii) any firearms or ammunition kept or stored by such 
licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or 
licensed collector, at such premises. 
"(B) The Secretary may inspect or examine the inventory and 
records of a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed 
dealer without such reasonable cause or warrant— 
"(i) in the course of a reasonable inquiry during the course of 
a criminal investigation of a person or persons other than the 
licensee; 
"(ii) for ensuring compliance with the record keeping require-
ments of this chapter not more than once during any twelve-
month period; or 
"(iii) when such inspection or examination may be required 
for determining the disposition of one or more particular fire-
arms in the course of a bona fide criminal investigation. 
"(C) The Secretary may inspect the inventory and records of a 
licensed collector without such reasonable cause or warrant— 
"(i) for ensuring compliance with the record keeping require-
ments of this chapter not more than once during any twelve-
month period; or 
"(ii) when such inspection or examination may be required for 
determining the disposition of one or more particular firearms 
in the course of a bona fide criminal investigation. 
"(D) At the election of a licensed collector, the annual inspection 
of records and inventory permitted under this paragraph shall be 
performed at the office of the Secretary designated for such inspec-
tions which is located in closest proximity to the premises where the 
inventory and records of such licensed collector are maintained. The 
inspection and examination authorized by this paragraph shall not 
be construed as authorizing the Secretary to seize any records or 
other documents other than those records or documents constituting 
material evidence of a violation of law. If the Secretary seizes such 
records or documents, copies shall be provided the licensee within a 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
100 STAT. 455 
reasonable time. The Secretary may make available to any Federal, State and local 
State, or local law enforcement agency any information which he governments, 
may obtain by resison of this chapter with respect to the identifica-
tion of persons prohibited from purchasing or receiving firearms or 
ammunition who have purchased or received firearms or ammuni-
tion, together with a description of such firearms or ammunition, 
and he may provide information to the extent such information may 
be contained in the records required to be maintained by this 
chapter, when so requested by any Federal, State, or local law 
enforcement agency. 
"(2) Each licensed collector shall maintain in a bound volume the 
nature of which the Secretary may by regulations prescribe, records 
of the receipt, sale, or other disposition of firearms. Such records 
shall include the name and address of any person to whom the 
collector sells or otherwise disposes of a firearm. Such collector shall 
not be required to submit to the Secretary reports and information 
with respect to such records and the contents thereof, except as 
expressly required by this section. 
"(3) Each licensee shall prepare a report of multiple sales or other Reports, 
dispositions whenever the licensee sells or otherwise disposes of, at 
one time or during any five consecutive business days, two or more 
pistols, or revolvers, or any combination of pistols and revolvers 
totalling two or more, to an unlicensed person. The report shall be 
prepared on a form specified by the Secretary and forwarded to the 
office specified thereon not later than the close of business on the 
day that the multiple sale or other disposition occurs. 
'(4) Where a firearms or ammunition business is discontinued and 
succeeded by a new licensee, the records required to be kept by this 
chapter shall appropriately reflect such facts and shall be delivered 
to the successor. Where discontinuance of the business is absolute, 
such records shall be delivered within thirty days after the business 
discontinuance to the Secretary. However, where State law or local 
ordinance requires the delivery of records to other responsible 
authority, the Secretary may arrange for the delivery of such 
records to such other responsible authority. 
"(5)(A) Each licensee shall, when required by letter issued by the 
Secretary, and until notified to the contran^ in writing by the 
Secretary, submit on a form specified by the Secretary, for periods 
and at the times specified in such letter, all record information 
required to be kept by this chapter or such lesser record information 
as the Secretary in such letter may specify. 
"(B) The Secretary may authorize such record information to be 
submitted in a manner other than that prescribed in subparagraph 
(A) of this paragraph when it is shown by a licensee that an 
alternate method of reporting is reasonably necessary and will not 
unduly hinder the effective administration of this chapter. A li-
censee may use an alternate method of reporting if the licensee 
describes the proposed alternate method of reporting and the need 
therefor in a letter application submitted to the Secretary, and the 
Secretary approves such alternate method of reporting."; and 
(8) so that subsection (j) reads as follows: 
"(j) A licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer Business and 
may, under rules or regulations prescribed by the Secretary, conduct industry. 
business temporarily at a location other than the location specified 
on the license if such temporary location is the location for a gun 
show or event sponsored by any national, State, or local organiza-
tion, or any affiliate of any such orgcmization devoted to the coUec-
100 STAT. 456 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
Records. 
Law 
enforcement 
and crime. 
18 use 929. 
18 use 922. 
tion, competitive use, or other sporting use of firearms in the 
community, and such location is in the State which is specified on 
the license. Records of receipt and disposition of firearms trans-
actions conducted at such temporary location shall include the 
location of the sale or other disposition and shall be entered in the 
permanent records of the licensee and retained on the location 
specified on the license. Nothing in this subsection shall authorize 
any licensee to conduct business in or from any motorized or towed 
vehicle. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this 
section, a separate fee shall not be required of a licensee with 
respect to business conducted under this subsection. Any inspection 
or examination of inventory or records under this chapter by the 
Secretary at such temporary location shall be limited to inventory 
consisting of, or records relating to, firearms held or disposed at 
such temporary location. Nothing in this subsection shall be con-
strued to authorize the Secretary to inspect or examine the inven-
tory or records of a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or 
licensed dealer at any location other than the location specified on 
the license. Nothing in this subsection shall be construed to dimin-
ish in any manner any right to display, sell, or otherwise dispose of 
firearms or ammunition, which is in effect before the date of the 
enactment of the Firearms Owners' Protection Act.". 
SEC. 104. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 924. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Section 924 of title 18, United States Code, is 
amended— 
(1) so that subsection (a) reads as follows: 
"(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (2) of this 
subsection, subsection (b) or (c) of this section, or in section 929, 
whoever— 
"(A) knowingly makes any false statement or representation 
with respect to the information required by this chapter to be 
kept in the records of a person licensed under this chapter or in 
applying for any license or exemption or relief from disability 
under the provisions of this chapter; 
"(B) knowingly violates subsection (a)(4), (a)(6), (f), (g), (i), (j). or 
(k) of section 922; 
"(C) knowingly imports or brings into the United States or 
any possession thereof any firearm or ammunition in violation 
of section 922(1); or 
"(D) willfully violates any other provision of this chapter, 
shall be fined not more than $5,000, imprisoned not more than five 
years, or both, and shall become eligible for parole as the Parole 
Commission shall determine. 
"(2) Any licensed dealer, licensed importer, licensed manufac-
turer, or licensed collector who knowingly— 
"(A) makes any false statement or representation with re-
spect to the information required by the provisions of this 
chapter to be kept in the records of a person licensed under this 
chapter, or 
"(B) violates subsection (m) of section 922, 
shall be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned not more than one 
year, or both, and shall become eligible for parole as the Parole 
Commission shall determine."; 
(2) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by inserting "(1)" before "Whoever,"; 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
100 STAT. 457 
(B) by striking out "violence" each place it appears and 
inserting in lieu thereof "violence or drug trafficking 
crime,"; 
(C) by inserting "or drug trafficking crime" before "in 
which the firearm was used or carried."; 
(D) in the first sentence, by striking out the period at the 
end and inserting in lieu thereof ", and if the firearm is a 
machinegun, or is equipped with a firearm silencer or 
firearm muffler, to imprisonment for ten years."; 
(E) in the second sentence, by striking out the period at 
the end and inserting in lieu thereof ", and if the firearm is 
a machinegun, or is equipped with a firearm silencer or 
firearm muffler, to imprisonment for twenty years."; and 
(F) by adding at the end the following: 
"(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'drug trafficking 
crime' means any felony violation of Federal law involving the 
distribution, manufacture, or importation of any controlled sub-
stance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act 
(21 U.S.C. 802)). 
"(3) For purposes of this subsection the term 'crime of violence' 
means an offense that is a felony and— 
"(A) has as an element the use, attempted use, or threatened 
use of physical force against the person or property of another, 
or 
"(B) that by its nature, involves a substantial risk that phys-
ical force against the person or property of another may be used 
in the course of committing the offense."; 
(3) by amending subsection (d) to read as follows: 
"(d)(1) Any firearm or ammunition involved in or used in any imports, 
knowing violation of subsection (a)(4), (a)(6), (f), (g), (h), (i), (j), or (k) of 
section 922, or knowing importation or bringing into the United 18 USC 922. 
States or any possession thereof any firearm or ammunition in 
violation of section 922(1), or knowing violation of section 924, or 
willful violation of any other provision of this chapter or any rule or 
regulation promulgated thereunder, or any violation of any other 
criminal law of the United States, or any firearm or ammunition 
intended to be used in any offense referred to in paragraph (3) of 
this subsection, where such intent is demonstrated by clear and 
convincing evidence, shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture, and 
all provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 relating to the 26 USC l et seq. 
seizure, forfeiture, and disposition of firearms, as defined in section 
5845(a) of that Code, shall, so far as applicable, extend to seizures 26 USC 5845. 
and forfeitures under the provisions of this chapter: Provided, That 
upon acquittal of the owner or possessor, or dismissal of the charges 
against him other than upon motion of the Government prior to 
trial, the seized firearms or ammunition shall be returned forthwith 
to the owner or possessor or to a person delegated by the owner or 
possessor unless the return of the firearms or ammunition would 
place the owner or possessor or his delegate in violation of law. Any 
action or proceeding for the forfeiture of firearms or ammunition 
shall be commenced within one hundred and twenty days of such 
seizure. 
"(2)(A) In any action or proceeding for the return of firearms or 
ammunition seized under the provisions of this chapter, the court 
shall allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a 
reasonable attorney's fee, and the United States shall be liable 
therefor. 
100 STAT. 458 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
"(B) In any other action or proceeding under the provisions of this 
chapter, the court, when it finds that such action was without 
foundation, or was initiated vexatiously, frivolously, or in bad faith, 
shall allow the prevailing party, other than the United States, a 
reasonable attorney's fee, and the United States shall be liable 
therefor. 
"(C) Only those firearms or quantities of ammunition particularly 
named and individually identified as involved in or used in any 
violation of the provisions of this chapter or any rule or regulation 
issued thereunder, or any other criminal law of the United States or 
as intended to be used in any offense referred to in paragraph (3) of 
this subsection, where such intent is demonstrated by clear and 
convincing evidence, shall be subject to seizure, forfeiture, and 
disposition. 
"(D) The United States shall be liable for attorneys' fees under 
this paragraph only to the extent provided in advance by appropria-
tion Acts. 
"(3) The offenses referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2XC) of this 
subsection are— 
"(A) any crime of violence, as that term is defined in section 
18 use 924. 
924(c)(3) of this title; 
"(B) any offense punishable under the Controlled Substances 
Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.) or the Controlled Substances Import 
and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.); 
18 use 922. 
"(C) any offense described in section 922(a)(1), 922(a)(3), 
922(a)(5), or 922(b)(3) of this title, where the firearm or ammuni-
tion intended to be used in any such offense is involved in a 
pattern of activities which includes a violation of any offense 
described in section 922(a)(1), 922(a)(3), 922(a)(5), or 922(b)(3) of 
this title; 
"(D) any offense described in section 922(d) of this title where 
the firearm or ammunition is intended to be used in such 
offense by the transferor of such firearm or ammunition; 
"(E) any offense described in section 922(i), 9220"), 922(1), 
922(n), or 924(b) of this title; and 
"(F) any offense which may be prosecuted in a court of the 
United States which involves the exportation of firearms or 
ammunition."; and 
(4) by adding at the end the following new subsection: 
"(e)(1) In the case of a person who violates section 922(g) of this 
title and has three previous convictions by any court referred to in 
section 922(g)(1) of this title for robbery or burglary, or both, such 
person shall be fined not more than $25,000 and imprisoned not less 
than fifteen years, and, notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
the court shall not suspend the sentence of, or grant a probationary 
sentence to, such person with respect to the conviction under section 
922(g), and such person shall not be eligible for parole with respect 
to the sentence imposed under this subsection. 
"(2) As used in this subsection— 
"(A) the term 'robbery' means any crime punishable by a 
term of imprisonment exceeding one year and consisting of the 
taking of the property of another from the person or presence of 
another by force or violence, or by threatening or placing 
another person in fear that any person will imminently be 
subjected to bodily harm; and 
"(B) the term 'burglary' means any crime punishable by a 
term of imprisonment exceeding one year and consisting of 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
100 STAT. 459 
entering or remaining surreptitiously within a building that is 
the property of another with intent to engage in conduct con-
stituting a Federal or State offense.". 
(b) CONFORMING REPEAL.—Title VII of the Omnibus Crime Control 
and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (18 U.S.C. App. 1201 et seq.) is repealed. 
SEC. 105. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 925. 
Section 925 of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) in subsection (c)— 
(A) by striking out "has been convicted of a crime punish-
able 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)" and inserting in lieu thereof "is prohibited from 26 USC 5801. 
possessing, shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or 
ammunition"; 
(B) by inserting "transportation," after "shipment,"; 
(C) by striking out "and incurred by reason of such 
conviction"; and 
(D) by inserting "Any person whose application for relief 
from disabilities is denied by the Secretary may file a 
petition with the United States district court for the district 
in which he resides for a judicial review of such denial. The 
court may in its discretion admit additional evidence where 
failure to do so would result in a miscarriage of justice." 
after "the public interest."; and 
(2) in subsection (d)— 
(A) by striking out "may authorize" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "shall authorize"; 
(B) by striking out "the person importing or bringing in 
the firearm or ammunition establishes to the satisfaction of 
the Secretary that"; 
(C) in paragraph (3), by inserting before the semicolon ", 
except in any case where the Secretary has not authorized 
the importation of the firearm pursuant to this paragraph, 
it shall be unlawful to import any frame, receiver, or barrel 
of such firearm which would be prohibited if assembled"; 
and 
(D) by striking out "may permit" and inserting in lieu 
thereof "shall permit". 
SEC. 106. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 926. 
Section 926 of title 18 of the United States Code is amended— 
(1) by inserting "(a)" before "The Secretary" the first place it 
occurs; 
(2) by inserting "only" after "prescribe"; 
(3) by striking out "as he deems reasonably" and inserting in 
lieu thereof "as are"; 
(4) by striking out the last sentence and inserting in lieu 
thereof "No such rule or regulation prescribed after the date of 
the enactment of the Firearms Owners' Protection Act may 
require that records required to be maintained under this chap-
ter or any portion of the contents of such records, be recorded at 
or transferred to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by the 
United States or any State or any political subdivision thereof, 
nor that any system of registration of firearms, firearms 
owners, or firearms transactions or dispositions be established. 
100 STAT. 460 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
Nothing in this section expands or restricts the Secretary's 
authority to inquire into the disposition of any firearm in the 
course of a criminal investigation."; and 
(5) by adding at the end the following: 
"(b) The Secretary shall give not less than ninety days public 
notice, and shall afford interested parties opportunity for hearing, 
before prescribing such rules and regulations. 
"(c) The Secretary shall not prescribe rules or regulations that 
require purchasers of black powder under the exemption provided in 
18 use 845. 
section 845(a)(5) of this title to complete affidavits or forms attesting 
to that exemption.". 
SEC. 107. TRANSPORTATION OF FIREARMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—Chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, is 
amended by inserting between section 926 and section 927 the 
following new section: 
18 use 926A. 
"§ 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms 
"Any person not prohibited by this chapter from transporting, 
shipping, or receiving a firearm shall be entitled to transport an 
unloaded, not readily accessible firearm in interstate commerce 
notwithstanding any provision of any legislation enacted, or any 
rule or regulation prescribed by any State or political subdivision 
thereof". 
(b) CLERICAL AMENDMENT.—The table of sections for chapter 44 of 
title 18, United States Code, is amended by inserting between the 
item relating to section 926 and the item relating to section 927 the 
following new item: 
"926A. Interstate transportation of firearms.". 
SEC. 108. AMENDMENTS TO SECTION 929. 
Section 929(a) of title 18, United States Code, is amended— 
(1) by inserting "(1)" before "Whoever,"; 
(2) by striking out "violence" each place it appears and insert-
ing in lieu thereof "violence or drug trafficking crime,"; and 
(3) by adding at the end the following: 
"(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term 'drug trafficking 
crime' means any felony violation of Federal law involving the 
distribution, manufacture, or importation of any controlled sub-
stance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act 
(21 U.S.C. 802)).". 
SEC. 109. AMENDMENT OF NATIONAL FIREARMS ACT. 
(a) Section 58450)) of the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5845(b)) 
is amended by striking out "any combination of parts designed and 
intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun," and 
inserting in lieu thereof "any part designed and intended solely 
and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for 
use in converting a weapon into a machinegun,". 
(b) CONFORMING AMENDMENT.—Section 5845(aX7) of the National 
Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5845(aX7)) is amended to read "(7) any 
silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code);'. 
18 use 921 note. 
SEC. 110. EFFECTIVE DATE. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The amendments made by this Act shall become 
effective one hundred and eighty days after the date of the enact-
ment of this Act. Upon their becoming effective, the Secretary shall 
PUBLIC LAW 99-308—MAY 19, 1986 
100 STAT. 461 
publish and provide to all licensees a compilation of the State laws 
and published ordinances of which licensees are presumed to have 
knowledge pursuant to chapter 44 of title 18, United States Code, as 18 USC 921 et 
amended by this Act. All amendments to such State laws and *^9-
published ordinances as contained in the aforementioned compila-
tion shall be published in the Federal Register, revised annually. Federal 
and furnished to each person licensed under chapter 44 of title 18, Register, 
United States Code, as amended by this Act. 
publication. 
(b) PENDING ACTIONS, PETITIONS, AND APPELLATE PROCEEDINGS.— 
The amendments made by sections 103(6)(B), 105, and 107 of this Act 
shall be applicable to any action, petition, or appellate proceeding 
pending on the date of the enactment of this Act. 
(c) MACHINEGUN PROHIBITION.—Section 102(9) shall take effect on 
the date of the enactment of this Act. 
Approved May 19, 1986. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 49 (H.R. 4332): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 99-495 accompanying H.R. 4332 (Comm. on the Judiciary). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 131 (1985): June 24, July 9, considered and passed Senate. 
Vol. 132 (1986): Apr. 9, 10, H.R. 4332 considered and passed House; S. 49, 
amended, passed in lieu. 
May 6, Senate concurred in House amendments.