From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 3, 2005]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 3, 2005 and September 26, 2006]
[CITE: 26USC5841]
TITLE 26--INTERNAL REVENUE CODE
Subtitle E--Alcohol, Tobacco, and Certain Other Excise Taxes
CHAPTER 53--MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, AND CERTAIN OTHER
FIREARMS
Subchapter B--General Provisions and Exemptions
PART I--GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 5841. Registration of firearms
(a) Central registry
The Secretary shall maintain a central registry of all firearms in
the United States which are not in the possession or under the control
of the United States. This registry shall be 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) By whom registered
Each manufacturer, importer, and maker shall register each firearm
he manufactures, imports, or makes. Each firearm transferred shall be
registered to the transferee by the transferor.
(c) How registered
Each manufacturer shall notify the Secretary 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 shall,
prior to importing, making, or transferring a firearm, obtain
authorization in such manner as required 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 pursuant to the National Firearms Act in force on the day
immediately prior to the effective date of the National Firearms Act of
1968 shall be considered to have registered under this section the
firearms in his possession which are disclosed by that record as being
in his possession.
(e) Proof of registration
A person possessing a firearm registered as required by this section
shall retain proof of registration which shall be made available to the
Secretary upon request.
(Added Pub. L. 90-618, title II, Sec. 201, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1229;
amended Pub. L. 94-455, title XIX, Sec. 1906(b)(13)(A), Oct. 4, 1976, 90
Stat. 1834.)
References in Text
The National Firearms Act in force prior to the effective date of
the National Firearms Act of 1968, referred to in subsec. (d), is act
Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 721, as amended, which was classified
generally to prior chapter 53 (prior Sec. 5801 et seq.) of this title.
For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Tables.
The National Firearms Act of 1968, referred to in subsec. (d), means
title II of Pub. L. 90-618, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1227, as amended,
cited as the National Firearms Act Amendments of 1968, which is
classified generally to this chapter. For complete classification of
this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 5849 of
this title and Tables.
The effective date of this Act and the effective date of the
National Firearms Act of 1968, referred to in subsec. (d) catchline and
text, means the effective date of the National Firearms Act of 1968,
which is Nov. 1, 1968. See section 207(a) of Pub. L. 90-618, set out as
an Effective Date note under section 5801 of this title.
Prior Provisions
A prior section 5841, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 725,
consisted of provisions similar to those comprising this section, prior
to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 90-618.
Amendments
1976--Subsecs. (a), (c) to (e). Pub. L. 94-455 struck out ``or his
delegate'' after ``Secretary'' wherever appearing.
Effective Date
Section effective on first day of first month following October
1968, see section 207 of Pub. L. 90-618, set out as a note under section
5801 of this title.