Notes on 18 U.S.C. § 921 : US Code - Notes

Search Notes on 18 U.S.C. § 921 : US Code - Notes

(Added Pub. L. 90-351, title IV, Sec. 902, June 19, 1968, 82 Stat.
226; amended Pub. L. 90-618, title I, Sec. 102, Oct. 22, 1968, 82
Stat. 1214; Pub. L. 93-639, Sec. 102, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2217;
Pub. L. 99-308, Sec. 101, May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 449; Pub. L. 99-
360, Sec. 1(b), July 8, 1986, 100 Stat. 766; Pub. L. 99-408, Sec.
1, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 920; Pub. L. 101-647, title XVII, Sec.
1702(b)(2), title XXII, Sec. 2204(a), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat.
4845, 4857; Pub. L. 103-159, title I, Sec. 102(a)(2), Nov. 30,
1993, 107 Stat. 1539; Pub. L. 103-322, title XI, Secs. 110102(b),
110103(b), 110105(2), 110401(a), 110519, title XXXIII, Sec.
330021(1), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1997, 1999, 2000, 2014, 2020,
2150; Pub. L. 104-88, title III, Sec. 303(1), Dec. 29, 1995, 109
Stat. 943; Pub. L. 104-208, div. A, title I, Sec. 101(f) [title VI,
Sec. 658(a)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009-314, 3009-371; Pub. L.
105-277, div. A, Sec. 101(b) [title I, Sec. 119(a)], (h) [title I,
Sec. 115], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681-50, 2681-69, 2681-480,
2681-490; Pub. L. 107-273, div. C, title I, Sec. 11009(e)(1), Nov.
2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1821; Pub. L. 107-296, title XI, Sec. 1112(f)(1)-
(3), (6), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2276; Pub. L. 109-162, title
IX, Sec. 908(a), Jan. 5, 2006, 119 Stat. 3083.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
For definition of Canal Zone, referred to in subsec. (a)(2), see
section 3602(b) of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse.
AMENDMENTS
2006 - Subsec. (a)(33)(A)(i). Pub. L. 109-162, which directed the
general amendment of "section 921(33)(A)(i) of title 18", was
executed to par. (33)(A)(i) of subsec. (a), to reflect the probable
intent of Congress. Prior to amendment, cl. (i) read as follows:
"is a misdemeanor under Federal or State law; and".
2002 - Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 107-296, Sec. 1112(f)(2),
substituted "Attorney General" for "Secretary of the Treasury" in
concluding provisions.
Subsec. (a)(4)(B). Pub. L. 107-296, Sec. 1112(f)(1), substituted
"Attorney General" for "Secretary".
Subsec. (a)(13), (17)(C). Pub. L. 107-296, Sec. 1112(f)(6),
substituted "Attorney General" for "Secretary" wherever appearing.
Subsec. (a)(18). Pub. L. 107-296, Sec. 1112(f)(3), added par.
(18) and struck out former par. (18) which read as follows: "The
term 'Secretary' or 'Secretary of the Treasury' means the Secretary
of the Treasury or his delegate."
Subsec. (a)(19). Pub. L. 107-296, Sec. 1112(f)(6), substituted
"Attorney General" for "Secretary" in two places.
Subsec. (a)(35). Pub. L. 107-273 added par. (35).
1998 - Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 105-277, Sec. 101(h) [title I,
Sec. 115(1)], substituted "an explosive" for "the explosive in a
fixed shotgun shell".
Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 105-277, Sec. 101(h) [title I, Sec.
115(2)], substituted "an explosive" for "the explosive in a fixed
metallic cartridge".
Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 105-277, Sec. 101(h) [title I, Sec.
115(3)], added par. (16) and struck out former par. (16) which read
as follows: "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 subparagraph (A)
if such replica -
"(i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or
conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or
"(ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed
ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States
and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of
commercial trade."
Subsec. (a)(34). Pub. L. 105-277, Sec. 101(b) [title I, Sec.
119(a)], added par. (34).
1996 - Subsec. (a)(33). Pub. L. 104-208 added par. (33).
1995 - Subsec. (a)(27). Pub. L. 104-88 substituted "section
13102" for "section 10102".
1994 - Subsec. (a)(17)(B). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 110519, amended
subpar. (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpar. (B) read as
follows: "The term 'armor piercing ammunition' means a projectile
or projectile core which may be used in a handgun and which is
constructed entirely (excluding the presence of traces of other
substances) from one or a combination of tungsten alloys, steel,
iron, brass, bronze, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium. Such
term does not include shotgun shot required by Federal or State
environmental or game regulations for hunting purposes, a frangible
projectile designed for target shooting, a projectile which the
Secretary finds is primarily intended to be used for sporting
purposes, or any other projectile or projectile core which the
Secretary finds is intended to be used for industrial purposes,
including a charge used in an oil and gas well perforating device."
Subsec. (a)(17)(C). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 110519, added subpar.
(C).
Subsec. (a)(22)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 330021(1),
substituted "kidnapping" for "kidnaping".
Subsec. (a)(30). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 110102(b), which added
par. (30) defining "semiautomatic assault weapon", was repealed by
Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 110105(2). See Effective and Termination
Dates of 1994 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a)(31). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 110103(b), which added
par. (31) defining "large capacity ammunition feeding device", was
repealed by Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 110105(2). See Effective and
Termination Dates of 1994 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a)(32). Pub. L. 103-322, Sec. 110401(a), added par.
(32).
1993 - Subsec. (a)(29). Pub. L. 103-159 added par. (29).
1990 - Subsec. (a)(25) to (27). Pub. L. 101-647, Sec. 1702(b)(2),
added pars. (25) to (27).
Subsec. (a)(28). Pub. L. 101-647, Sec. 2204(a), added par. (28).
1986 - Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 99-308, Sec. 101(1), substituted
"business of manufacturing" for "manufacture of".
Subsec. (a)(11)(A). Pub. L. 99-308, Sec. 101(2), struck out "or
ammunition" after "firearms".
Subsec. (a)(12). Pub. L. 99-308, Sec. 101(3), struck out "or
ammunition" after "firearm".
Subsec. (a)(13). Pub. L. 99-308, Sec. 101(4), struck out "or
ammunition" after "firearms".
Subsec. (a)(17). Pub. L. 99-408 designated existing provisions as
subpar. (A) and added subpar. (B).
Subsec. (a)(20). Pub. L. 99-308, Sec. 101(5), amended par. (20)
generally. Prior to amendment, par. (20) read as follows: "The term
'crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year'
shall 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 as the Secretary may by regulation designate, or (B) any
State offense (other than one involving a firearm or explosive)
classified by the laws of the State as a misdemeanor and punishable
by a term of imprisonment of two years or less."
Subsec. (a)(21). Pub. L. 99-308, Sec. 101(6), added par. (21).
Subsec. (a)(22). Pub. L. 99-360 inserted provision that proof of
profit not be required as to a person who engages in the regular
and repetitive purchase and disposition of firearms for criminal
purposes or terrorism and defined terrorism.
Pub. L. 99-308, Sec. 101(6), added par. (22).
Subsec. (a)(23), (24). Pub. L. 99-308, Sec. 101(6), added pars.
(23) and (24).
1975 - Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 93-639 substituted "to use solely
for sporting, recreational or cultural purposes" for "to use solely
for sporting purposes".
1968 - Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90-618 inserted definitions of
"collector", "licensed collector", and "crime punishable by
imprisonment for a term exceeding one year", amended definitions of
"person", "whoever", "interstate or foreign commerce", "State",
"firearm", "destructive device", "dealer", "indictment", "fugitive
from justice", "antique firearm", "ammunition", and "published
ordinance", and reenacted without change definitions of "shotgun",
"short-barreled shotgun", "rifle", "short-barreled rifle",
"importer", "licensed importer", "manufacturer", "licensed
manufacturer", "licensed dealer", "pawnbroker", and "Secretary" or
"Secretary of the Treasury".
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 90-618 substituted provisions determining
that a member of the armed forces on active duty is a resident of
the State in which his permanent duty station is located for
provisions defining "firearm", "destructive device", and "crime
punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year".
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2002 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 107-296 effective 60 days after Nov. 25,
2002, see section 4 of Pub. L. 107-296, set out as an Effective
Date note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1998 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 105-277, div. A, Sec. 101(b) [title I, Sec. 119(e)], Oct.
21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681-50, 2681-70, provided that: "The
amendments made by this section [amending this section and section
923 of this title] shall take effect 180 days after the date of
enactment of this Act [Oct. 21, 1998]."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1995 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104-88 effective Jan. 1, 1996, see section 2
of Pub. L. 104-88, set out as an Effective Date note under section
701 of Title 49, Transportation.
EFFECTIVE AND TERMINATION DATES OF 1994 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 103-322, title XI, Sec. 110105, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat.
2000, provided that subtitle A (Secs. 110101-110106) of title XI of
Pub. L. 103-322 (amending this section and sections 922 to 924 of
this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under this
section) and the amendments made by that subtitle were effective
Sept. 13, 1994, and were repealed effective as of the date that is
10 years after that date.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Section 1702(b)(4) of Pub. L. 101-647 provided that: "The
amendments made by this section [amending this section and sections
922 and 924 of this title] shall apply to conduct engaged in after
the end of the 60-day period beginning on the date of the enactment
of this Act [Nov. 29, 1990]."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENTS; PUBLICATION AND AVAILABILITY OF
COMPILATION OF STATE LAWS AND PUBLISHED ORDINANCES
Section 9 of Pub. L. 99-408 provided that: "The amendments made
by this Act [amending this section and sections 922, 923, and 929
of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under this
section] shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act
[Aug. 28, 1986], except that sections 3, 4, and 5 [amending section
923 of this title] shall take effect on the first day of the first
calendar month which begins more than ninety days after the date of
the enactment of this Act."
Section 2 of Pub. L. 99-360 provided that: "This Act and the
amendments made by this Act [enacting section 926A of this title,
amending this section and section 923 of this title, and repealing
former section 926A of this title], intended to amend the Firearms
Owners' Protection Act [Pub. L. 99-308, see Short Title of 1986
Amendment note below], shall become effective on the date on which
the section they are intended to amend in such Firearms Owners'
Protection Act becomes effective [see section 110 of Pub. L. 99-308
set out below] and shall apply to the amendments to title 18,
United States Code, made by such Act."
Section 110 of Pub. L. 99-308 provided that:
"(a) In General. - The amendments made by this Act [enacting
section 926A of this title, amending this section, sections 922 to
926 and 929 of this title, and section 5845 of Title 26, Internal
Revenue Code, repealing title VII of Pub. L. 90-351, set out in the
Appendix to this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes
under this section] shall become effective one hundred and eighty
days after the date of the enactment of this Act [May 19, 1986].
Upon their becoming effective, the Secretary shall 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 amended by this Act. All amendments to such State laws and
published ordinances as contained in the aforementioned compilation
shall be published in the Federal Register, revised annually, and
furnished to each person licensed under chapter 44 of title 18,
United States Code, as amended by this Act.
"(b) Pending Actions, Petitions, and Appellate Proceedings. - The
amendments made by sections 103(6)(B), 105, and 107 of this Act
[enacting section 926A of this title and amending sections 923 and
925 of this title] shall be applicable to any action, petition, or
appellate proceeding pending on the date of the enactment of this
Act [May 19, 1986].
"(c) Machinegun Prohibition. - Section 102(9) [amending section
922 of this title] shall take effect on the date of the enactment
of this Act [May 19, 1986]."
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1968 AMENDMENT
Section 105 of Pub. L. 90-618 provided that:
"(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 [amending this chapter], 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 [Oct. 22, 1968]:
Sections 921, 922(l), 925(a)(1), and 925(d)."
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section 907 of title IV of Pub. L. 90-351 provided that: "The
amendments made by this title [enacting this chapter and provisions
set out as notes under this section and repealing sections 901 to
910 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade] shall become effective one
hundred and eighty days after the date of its enactment [June 19,
1968]; except that repeal of the Federal Firearms Act [sections 901
to 910 of Title 15] shall not in itself terminate any valid license
issued pursuant to that Act and any such license shall be deemed
valid until it shall expire according to its terms unless it be
sooner revoked or terminated pursuant to applicable provisions of
law."
SHORT TITLE OF 2005 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 109-92, Sec. 5(a), Oct. 26, 2005, 119 Stat. 2099,
provided that: "This section [amending sections 922 and 924 of this
title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 922 of
this title] may be cited as the 'Child Safety Lock Act of 2005'."
SHORT TITLE OF 2004 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 108-277, Sec. 1, July 22, 2004, 118 Stat. 865, provided
that: "This Act [enacting sections 926B and 926C of this title] may
be cited as the 'Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act of 2004'."
SHORT TITLE OF 1994 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 103-322, title XI, Sec. 110101, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat.
1996, provided that subtitle A (Secs. 110101-110106) of title XI of
Pub. L. 103-322 (amending this section and sections 922 to 924 of
this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under this
section) could be cited as the "Public Safety and Recreational
Firearms Use Protection Act", prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103-322,
title XI, Sec. 110105(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2000, effective
10 years after Sept. 13, 1994.
SHORT TITLE OF 1993 AMENDMENT
Section 101 of title I of Pub. L. 103-159 provided that: "This
title [enacting section 925A of this title, amending this section,
sections 922 and 924 of this title, and section 3759 of Title 42,
The Public Health and Welfare, and enacting provisions set out as
notes under this section and section 922 of this title] may be
cited as the 'Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act'."
Section 301 of title III of Pub. L. 103-159 provided that: "This
title [amending sections 922 to 924 of this title] may be cited as
the 'Federal Firearms License Reform Act of 1993'."
SHORT TITLE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Section 1702(a) of Pub. L. 101-647 provided that: "This section
[amending this section and sections 922 and 924 of this title and
enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and section
922 of this title] may be cited as the 'Gun-Free School Zones Act
of 1990'."
SHORT TITLE OF 1988 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 100-649, Sec. 1, Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3816, provided
that: "This Act [amending sections 922, 924, and 925 of this title
and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 922 of this
title and section 1356 of former Title 49, Transportation] may be
cited as the 'Undetectable Firearms Act of 1988'."
SHORT TITLE OF 1986 AMENDMENTS
Pub. L. 99-570, title I, subtitle I, Sec. 1401, Oct. 27, 1986,
100 Stat. 3207-39, provided that: "This subtitle [amending section
924 of this title] may be cited as the 'Career Criminals Amendment
Act of 1986'."
Section 1(a) of Pub. L. 99-308 provided that: "This Act [enacting
section 926A of this title, amending this section, sections 922 to
926 and 929 of this title, and section 5845 of Title 26, Internal
Revenue Code, repealing title VII of Pub. L. 90-351, set out in the
Appendix to this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes
under this section] may be cited as the 'Firearms Owners'
Protection Act'."
SHORT TITLE
Section 1 of Pub. L. 90-618 provided: "That this Act [enacting
sections 5822, 5871 and 5872 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code,
amending this section, sections 922 to 928 of this title, and
Appendix to this title, and sections 5801, 5802, 5811, 5812, 5821,
5841 to 5849, 5851 to 5854, 5861, 6806, and 7273 of Title 26,
repealing sections 5692 and 6107 of Title 26, omitting sections
5803, 5813, 5814, 5831, 5855, and 5862 of Title 26, and enacting
material set out as notes under this section and Appendix to this
title, and section 5801 of Title 26] may be cited as the 'Gun
Control Act of 1968'."
CONSTRUCTION OF PUB. L. 103-159 WITH SECTION 552A OF TITLE 5
Section 105 of Pub. L. 103-159 provided that: "This Act [enacting
section 925A of this title, amending this section, sections 922 to
924 of this title, and section 3759 of Title 42, The Public Health
and Welfare, and enacting provisions set out as notes under this
section and section 922 of this title] and the amendments made by
this Act shall not be construed to alter or impair any right or
remedy under section 552a of title 5, United States Code."
STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION; EVIDENCE
For provisions relating to statutory construction of, and
admissibility of evidence regarding compliance or noncompliance
with, the amendment by section 101(b) [title I, Sec. 119(a)] of
Pub. L. 105-277, see section 101(b) [title I, Sec. 119(d)] of Pub.
L. 105-277, set out as a note under section 923 of this title.
STUDY BY ATTORNEY GENERAL
Pub. L. 103-322, title XI, Sec. 110104, Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat.
2000, which provided that the Attorney General was to study the
effect of subtitle A (Secs. 110101-110106) of title XI of Pub. L.
103-322 and to report the results of the study to Congress not
later than 30 months after Sept. 13, 1994, was repealed by Pub. L.
103-322, title XI, Sec. 110105(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2000,
effective 10 years after Sept. 13, 1994.
CONGRESSIONAL FINDINGS AND DECLARATION
Section 1(b) of Pub. L. 99-308 provided that: "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
statutes 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 [section 101 of Pub. L. 90-618, set out below], that
'it is not the purpose of this title to place any 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, 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.'."
Section 101 of title I of Pub. L. 90-618 provided that: "The
Congress hereby declares that the purposes of this title [amending
this chapter] 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 restrictions or burdens on law-abiding
citizens with respect to the acquisition, possession, or use of
firearms appropriate to the purpose of hunting, 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
reasonably necessary to implement and effectuate the provisions of
this title."
Section 901 of title IV of Pub. L. 90-351 provided that:
"(a) The Congress hereby finds and declares -
"(1) that there is a widespread traffic in firearms moving in
or otherwise affecting interstate or foreign commerce, and that
the existing Federal controls over such traffic do not adequately
enable the States to control this traffic within their own
borders through the exercise of their police power;
"(2) that the ease with which any person can acquire firearms
other than a rifle or shotgun (including criminals, juveniles
without the knowledge or consent of their parents or guardians,
narcotics addicts, mental defectives, armed groups who would
supplant the functions of duly constituted public authorities,
and others whose possession of such weapon is similarly contrary
to the public interest) is a significant factor in the prevalence
of lawlessness and violent crime in the United States;
"(3) that only through adequate Federal control over interstate
and foreign commerce in these weapons, and over all persons
engaging in the businesses of importing, manufacturing, or
dealing in them, can this grave problem be properly dealt with,
and effective State and local regulation of this traffic be made
possible;
"(4) that the acquisition on a mail-order basis of firearms
other than a rifle or shotgun by nonlicensed individuals, from a
place other than their State of residence, has materially tended
to thwart the effectiveness of State laws and regulations, and
local ordinances;
"(5) that the sale or other disposition of concealable weapons
by importers, manufacturers, and dealers holding Federal
licenses, to nonresidents of the State in which the licensees'
places of business are located, has tended to make ineffective
the laws, regulations, and ordinances in the several States and
local jurisdictions regarding such firearms;
"(6) that there is a casual relationship between the easy
availability of firearms other than a rifle or shotgun and
juvenile and youthful criminal behavior, and that such firearms
have been widely sold by federally licensed importers and dealers
to emotionally immature, or thrill-bent juveniles and minors
prone to criminal behavior;
"(7) that the United States has become the dumping ground of
the castoff surplus military weapons of other nations, and that
such weapons, and the large volume of relatively inexpensive
pistols and revolvers (largely worthless for sporting purposes),
imported into the United States in recent years, has contributed
greatly to lawlessness and to the Nation's law enforcement
problems;
"(8) that the lack of adequate Federal control over interstate
and foreign commerce in highly destructive weapons (such as
bazookas, mortars, antitank guns, and so forth, and destructive
devices such as explosive or incendiary grenades, bombs,
missiles, and so forth) has allowed such weapons and devices to
fall into the hands of lawless persons, including armed groups
who would supplant lawful authority, thus creating a problem of
national concern;
"(9) that the existing licensing system under the Federal
Firearms Act [former sections 901 to 910 of Title 15, Commerce
and Trade] does not provide adequate license fees or proper
standards for the granting or denial of licenses, and that this
has led to licenses being issued to persons not reasonably
entitled thereto, thus distorting the purposes of the licensing
system.
"(b) The Congress further hereby declares that the purpose of
this title [enacting this chapter and repealing sections 901 to 910
of Title 15, Commerce and Trade] is to cope with the conditions
referred to in the foregoing subsection, and that it is not the
purpose of this title [enacting this chapter and repealing sections
901 to 910 of Title 15] to place any 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
[enacting this chapter and repealing sections 901 to 910 of Title
15] 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 reasonably
necessary to implement and effectuate the provisions of this title
[enacting this chapter and repealing sections 901 to 910 of Title
15]."
ADMINISTRATION AND ENFORCEMENT
Section 103 of title I of Pub. L. 90-618, as amended by Pub. L.
107-296, title XI, Sec. 1112(s), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2279,
provided that: "The administration and enforcement of the amendment
made by this title [amending this chapter] shall be vested in the
Attorney General."
Section 903 of title IV of Pub. L. 90-351 provided that: "The
administration and enforcement of the amendment made by this title
[enacting this chapter and provisions set out as notes under this
section] shall be vested in the Secretary of the Treasury [now
Attorney General]."
MODIFICATION OF OTHER LAWS
Section 104 of title I of Pub. L. 90-618, as amended by Pub. L.
99-514, Sec. 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that:
"Nothing in this title or the amendment made thereby [amending this
chapter] shall be construed as modifying or affecting any provision
of -
"(a) the National Firearms Act (chapter 53 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986) [section 5801 et seq. of Title 26, Internal
Revenue Code];
"(b) section 414 of the Mutual Security Act of 1954 (22 U.S.C.
1934), as amended, relating to munitions control; or
"(c) section 1715 of title 18, United States Code, relating to
nonmailable firearms."
Section 904 of title IV of Pub. L. 90-351, as amended by Pub. L.
99-514, Sec. 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095, provided that:
"Nothing in this title or amendment made thereby [enacting this
chapter and provisions set out as notes under this section] shall
be construed as modifying or affecting any provision of -
"(a) the National Firearms Act (chapter 53 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986) [section 5801 et seq. of Title 26, Internal
Revenue Code]; or
"(b) section 414 of the Mutual Security Act of 1954 (22 U.S.C.
1934), as amended, relating to munitions control; or
"(c) section 1715 of title 18, United States Code, relating to
nonmailable firearms."
DEFINITION OF "HANDGUN"
Section 10 of Pub. L. 99-408 provided that: "For purposes of
section 921(a)(17)(B) of title 18, United States Code, as added by
the first section of this Act, 'handgun' means any firearm
including a pistol or revolver designed to be fired by the use of a
single hand. The term also includes any combination of parts from
which a handgun can be assembled."
(!1) So in original. Probably should be followed by a period.
(!2) So in original. No subparagraph (C) has been enacted.
(!3) So in original. Probably should not be capitalized.