18 USC 922 Unlawful Acts

§ 921

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Section 4 of title 36, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Patriotic Societies and Observances, was divided into this section and
section 706 of this title.
Reference to ‘‘jurisdiction’’ of the United States was
omitted as unnecessary in view of definition of ‘‘United
States’’ in section 5 of this title.
Reference to offense as a misdemeanor was omitted
in view of definitive section 1 of this title.
Words ‘‘upon conviction thereof’’ were omitted as
punishment cannot be imposed until conviction is secured.
Minor changes were made in phraseology.
AMENDMENTS
2001—Pub. L. 107–56 substituted ‘‘5 years’’ for ‘‘one
year’’.
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted ‘‘fined under this
title’’ for ‘‘fined not more than $500’’.

CHAPTER 44—FIREARMS
Sec.

921.
922.
923.
924.
925.
925A.
926.
926A.
926B.
926C.
927.
928.
929.
930.
931.

Definitions.
Unlawful acts.
Licensing.
Penalties.
Exceptions: Relief from disabilities.
Remedy for erroneous denial of firearm.
Rules and regulations.
Interstate transportation of firearms.
Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified
law enforcement officers.
Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified
retired law enforcement officers.
Effect on State law.
Separability.
Use of restricted ammunition.
Possession of firearms and dangerous weapons
in Federal facilities.
Prohibition on purchase, ownership, or possession of body armor by violent felons.
AMENDMENTS

2004—Pub. L. 108–277, §§ 2(b), 3(b), July 22, 2004, 118
Stat. 866, 867, added items 926B and 926C.
2002—Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11009(e)(2)(B),
Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1821, added item 931.
1993—Pub. L. 103–159, title I, § 104(b), Nov. 30, 1993, 107
Stat. 1543, added item 925A.
1990—Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, § 3523, Nov. 29, 1990,
104 Stat. 4924, struck out ‘‘clause’’ after ‘‘Separability’’
in item 928.
1988—Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, § 6215(b), Nov. 18, 1988,
102 Stat. 4362, added item 930.
1986—Pub. L. 99–308, § 107(b), May 19, 1986, 100 Stat.
460, added item 926A.
1984—Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 1006(b), Oct. 12, 1984, 98
Stat. 2139, added item 929.
1968—Pub. L. 90–618, title I, § 102, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat.
1214, reenacted chapter analysis without change.
Pub. L. 90–351, title IV, § 902, June 19, 1968, 82 Stat.
226, added chapter 44 and items 921 to 928.

§ 921. Definitions
(a) As used in this chapter—
(1) The term ‘‘person’’ and the term ‘‘whoever’’
include any individual, 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

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‘‘State’’ includes the District of Columbia, 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 a
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 propellant 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;
(B) any type of weapon (other than a shotgun or a shotgun shell which the Attorney
General finds is generally recognized as particularly 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 Attorney General 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, recreational or cultural purposes.
(5) 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 an explosive 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 shotgun having one or more barrels less than
eighteen inches in length and any weapon made
from a shotgun (whether by alteration, modification or otherwise) if such a 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 designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

an explosive 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 length 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 term ‘‘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 importer’’ means any such person licensed under the provisions of this chapter.
(10) The term ‘‘manufacturer’’ means any person engaged in the business of manufacturing
firearms or ammunition for purposes of sale or
distribution; and the term ‘‘licensed manufacturer’’ means any such person licensed under the
provisions of this chapter.
(11) The term ‘‘dealer’’ means (A) any person
engaged in the business of selling firearms 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 as security for the payment or repayment of money.
(13) The term ‘‘collector’’ means any person
who acquires, holds, or disposes of firearms as
curios or relics, as the Attorney General 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; or
(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; or
(C) any muzzle loading rifle, muzzle loading
shotgun, or muzzle loading pistol, which is designed to use black powder, or a black powder
substitute, and which cannot use fixed ammunition. For purposes of this subparagraph, the
term ‘‘antique firearm’’ shall not include any
weapon which incorporates a firearm frame or

§ 921

receiver, any firearm which is converted into
a muzzle loading weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon which can be readily converted to
fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel,
bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof.
(17)(A) The term ‘‘ammunition’’ means ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or
propellent powder designed for use in any firearm.
(B) The term ‘‘armor piercing ammunition’’
means—
(i) 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; or
(ii) a full jacketed projectile larger than .22
caliber designed and intended for use in a
handgun and whose jacket has a weight of
more than 25 percent of the total weight of the
projectile.
(C) The term ‘‘armor piercing ammunition’’
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 Attorney General finds is primarily intended
to be used for sporting purposes, or any other
projectile or projectile core which the Attorney
General finds is intended to be used for industrial purposes, including a charge used in an oil
and gas well perforating device.
(18) The term ‘‘Attorney General’’ means the
Attorney General of the United States 1
(19) The term ‘‘published ordinance’’ means a
published law of any political subdivision of a
State which the Attorney General determines to
be relevant to the enforcement of this chapter
and which is contained on a list compiled by the
Attorney General, 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 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
(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.
(21) The term ‘‘engaged in the business’’
means—
1 So

in original. Probably should be followed by a period.

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

(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)(11)(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 collection 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)(11)(B), a person who devotes time, attention, and labor to engaging in
such activity as a regular course of trade or
business 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: Provided, That proof of profit
shall not be required as to a person who engages
in the regular and repetitive purchase and disposition of firearms for criminal purposes or terrorism. For purposes of this paragraph, the term
‘‘terrorism’’ means activity, directed against
United States persons, which—
(A) is committed by an individual who is not
a national or permanent resident alien of the
United States;
(B) involves violent acts or acts dangerous
to human life which would be a criminal violation if committed within the jurisdiction of
the United States; and
(C) is intended—
(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;

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(ii) to influence the policy of a government
by intimidation or coercion; or
(iii) to affect the conduct of a government
by assassination or kidnapping.
(23) The term ‘‘machinegun’’ has the meaning
given such term in section 5845(b) of the National Firearms Act (26 U.S.C. 5845(b)).
(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.
(25) The term ‘‘school zone’’ means—
(A) in, or on the grounds of, a public, parochial or private school; or
(B) within a distance of 1,000 feet from the
grounds of a public, parochial or private
school.
(26) The term ‘‘school’’ means a school which
provides elementary or secondary education, as
determined under State law.
(27) The term ‘‘motor vehicle’’ has the meaning given such term in section 13102 of title 49,
United States Code.
(28) The term ‘‘semiautomatic rifle’’ means
any repeating rifle which utilizes a portion of
the energy of a firing cartridge to extract the
fired cartridge case and chamber the next round,
and which requires a separate pull of the trigger
to fire each cartridge.
(29) The term ‘‘handgun’’ means—
(A) a firearm which has a short stock and is
designed to be held and fired by the use of a
single hand; and
(B) any combination of parts from which a
firearm described in subparagraph (A) can be
assembled.
[(30), (31) Repealed. Pub. L. 103–322, title XI,
§ 110105(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2000.]
(32) The term ‘‘intimate partner’’ means, with
respect to a person, the spouse of the person, a
former spouse of the person, an individual who
is a parent of a child of the person, and an individual who cohabitates or has cohabited with
the person.
(33)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph
(C),2 the term ‘‘misdemeanor crime of domestic
violence’’ means an offense that—
(i) is a misdemeanor under Federal, State, or
Tribal 3 law; and
(ii) has, as an element, the use or attempted
use of physical force, or the threatened use of
a deadly weapon, committed by a current or
former spouse, parent, or guardian of the victim, by a person with whom the victim shares
a child in common, by a person who is cohabiting with or has cohabited with the victim as a
spouse, parent, or guardian, or by a person
similarly situated to a spouse, parent, or
guardian of the victim.
(B)(i) A person shall not be considered to have
been convicted of such an offense for purposes of
this chapter, unless—
2 So
3 So

in original. No subparagraph (C) has been enacted.
in original. Probably should not be capitalized.

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

(I) the person was represented by counsel in
the case, or knowingly and intelligently
waived the right to counsel in the case; and
(II) in the case of a prosecution for an offense described in this paragraph for which a
person was entitled to a jury trial in the jurisdiction in which the case was tried, either
(aa) the case was tried by a jury, or
(bb) the person knowingly and intelligently waived the right to have the case
tried by a jury, by guilty plea or otherwise.
(ii) A person shall not be considered to have
been convicted of such an offense for purposes of
this chapter if the conviction has been expunged
or set aside, or is an offense for which the person
has been pardoned or has had civil rights restored (if the law of the applicable jurisdiction
provides for the loss of civil rights under such an
offense) unless the pardon, expungement, or restoration of civil rights expressly provides that
the person may not ship, transport, possess, or
receive firearms.
(34) The term ‘‘secure gun storage or safety device’’ means—
(A) a device that, when installed on a firearm, is designed to prevent the firearm from
being operated without first deactivating the
device;
(B) a device incorporated into the design of
the firearm that is designed to prevent the operation of the firearm by anyone not having
access to the device; or
(C) a safe, gun safe, gun case, lock box, or
other device that is designed to be or can be
used to store a firearm and that is designed to
be unlocked only by means of a key, a combination, or other similar means.
(35) The term ‘‘body armor’’ means any product sold or offered for sale, in interstate or foreign commerce, as personal protective body covering intended to protect against gunfire, regardless of whether the product is to be worn
alone or is sold as a complement to another
product or garment.
(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.
(Added Pub. L. 90–351, title IV, § 902, June 19,
1968, 82 Stat. 226; amended Pub. L. 90–618, title I,
§ 102, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1214; Pub. L. 93–639,
§ 102, Jan. 4, 1975, 88 Stat. 2217; Pub. L. 99–308,
§ 101, May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 449; Pub. L. 99–360,
§ 1(b), July 8, 1986, 100 Stat. 766; Pub. L. 99–408,
§ 1, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 920; Pub. L. 101–647,
title XVII, § 1702(b)(2), title XXII, § 2204(a), Nov.
29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4845, 4857; Pub. L. 103–159, title
I, § 102(a)(2), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1539; Pub. L.
103–322, title XI, §§ 110102(b), 110103(b), 110105(2),
110401(a), 110519, title XXXIII, § 330021(1), Sept.
13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1997, 1999, 2000, 2014, 2020, 2150;
Pub. L. 104–88, title III, § 303(1), Dec. 29, 1995, 109
Stat. 943; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(f)
[title VI, § 658(a)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat.
3009–314, 3009–371; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(b)
[title I, § 119(a)], (h) [title I, § 115], Oct. 21, 1998,
112 Stat. 2681–50, 2681–69, 2681–480, 2681–490; Pub.
L. 107–273, div. C, title I, § 11009(e)(1), Nov. 2, 2002,
116 Stat. 1821; Pub. L. 107–296, title XI,
§ 1112(f)(1)–(3), (6), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2276;

§ 921

Pub. L. 109–162, title IX, § 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, § 1112(f)(2), substituted ‘‘Attorney General’’ for ‘‘Secretary of the
Treasury’’ in concluding provisions.
Subsec. (a)(4)(B). Pub. L. 107–296, § 1112(f)(1), substituted ‘‘Attorney General’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’.
Subsec. (a)(13), (17)(C). Pub. L. 107–296, § 1112(f)(6), substituted ‘‘Attorney General’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’ wherever
appearing.
Subsec. (a)(18). Pub. L. 107–296, § 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, § 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, § 101(h) [title I,
§ 115(1)], substituted ‘‘an explosive’’ for ‘‘the explosive
in a fixed shotgun shell’’.
Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(h) [title I, § 115(2)],
substituted ‘‘an explosive’’ for ‘‘the explosive in a fixed
metallic cartridge’’.
Subsec. (a)(16). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(h) [title I,
§ 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, § 101(b) [title I,
§ 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, § 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, § 110519, added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (a)(22)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330021(1), substituted ‘‘kidnapping’’ for ‘‘kidnaping’’.

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Subsec. (a)(30). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110102(b), which
added par. (30) defining ‘‘semiautomatic assault weapon’’, was repealed by Pub. L. 103–322, § 110105(2). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1994 Amendment note
below.
Subsec. (a)(31). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110103(b), which
added par. (31) defining ‘‘large capacity ammunition
feeding device’’, was repealed by Pub. L. 103–322,
§ 110105(2). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1994
Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a)(32). Pub. L. 103–322, § 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,
§ 1702(b)(2), added pars. (25) to (27).
Subsec. (a)(28). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2204(a), added par.
(28).
1986—Subsec. (a)(10). Pub. L. 99–308, § 101(1), substituted ‘‘business of manufacturing’’ for ‘‘manufacture
of’’.
Subsec. (a)(11)(A). Pub. L. 99–308, § 101(2), struck out
‘‘or ammunition’’ after ‘‘firearms’’.
Subsec. (a)(12). Pub. L. 99–308, § 101(3), struck out ‘‘or
ammunition’’ after ‘‘firearm’’.
Subsec. (a)(13). Pub. L. 99–308, § 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, § 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, § 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, § 101(6), added par. (22).
Subsec. (a)(23), (24). Pub. L. 99–308, § 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, § 101(b) [title I, § 119(e)], Oct. 21,
1998, 112 Stat. 2681–50, 2681–70, provided that: ‘‘The

Page 206

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, § 110105, Sept. 13, 1994, 108
Stat. 2000, provided that subtitle A (§§ 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 ap-

Page 207

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

pellate proceeding pending on the date of the enactment of this Act [May 19, 1986].
PROHIBITION.—Section
102(9)
‘‘(c)
MACHINEGUN
[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, § 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, § 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, § 110101, Sept. 13, 1994, 108
Stat. 1996, provided that subtitle A (§§ 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,
§ 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, § 1, Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3816, provided that: ‘‘This Act [amending sections 922, 924, and

§ 921

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, § 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, § 119(a)] of Pub. L. 105–277, see section 101(b)
[title I, § 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, § 110104, Sept. 13, 1994, 108
Stat. 2000, which provided that the Attorney General
was to study the effect of subtitle A (§§ 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,
§ 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

§ 921

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

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;

Page 208

‘‘(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, § 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, § 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, § 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.’’

Page 209

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
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.’’

§ 922. Unlawful acts
(a) It shall be unlawful—
(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 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 to any person other than a licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, 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, licensed dealer, or licensed collector;
(B) this 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 connection with his official duty; and
(C) nothing in this paragraph shall be construed as applying in any manner in the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth 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 possession 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,

§ 922

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 transportation or receipt of a firearm obtained in conformity with
subsection (b)(3) of this section, and (C) shall
not apply to the transportation of any firearm
acquired 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, machinegun (as defined in section 5845 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle, except
as specifically authorized by the Attorney
General 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 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 transferor
resides; 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 intestate 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;
(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;
(7) for any person to manufacture or import
armor piercing ammunition, unless—
(A) the manufacture of such ammunition
is for the use of the United States, any department or agency of the United States,
any State, or any department, agency, or political subdivision of a State;
(B) the manufacture of such ammunition
is for the purpose of exportation; or
(C) the manufacture or importation of
such ammunition is for the purpose of testing or experimentation and has been authorized by the Attorney General;

§ 922

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

(8) for any manufacturer or importer to sell
or deliver armor piercing ammunition, unless
such sale or delivery—
(A) is for the use of the United States, any
department or agency of the United States,
any State, or any department, agency, or political subdivision of a State;
(B) is for the purpose of exportation; or
(C) is for the purpose of testing or experimentation and has been authorized by the
Attorney General; 1
(9) for any person, other than a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer,
or licensed collector, who does not reside in
any State to receive any firearms unless such
receipt is for lawful sporting purposes.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer,
or licensed collector to sell or deliver—
(1) any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than eighteen
years of age, and, if the firearm, or ammunition is other than a shotgun or rifle, or ammunition for a shotgun or rifle, to any individual
who the licensee knows or has reasonable
cause to believe is less than twenty-one years
of age;
(2) any firearm to any person in any State
where the purchase or possession by such person of such firearm would be 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 firearm 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 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), and (B) shall not
apply to the loan or rental of a firearm to any
person for temporary use for lawful sporting
purposes;
(4) to any person any destructive device, machinegun (as defined in section 5845 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986), short-barreled
shotgun, or short-barreled rifle, except as specifically authorized by the Attorney General
consistent with public safety and necessity;
and
(5) any firearm or armor-piercing ammunition to any person unless the licensee notes in
1 So

in original. Probably should be followed with ‘‘and’’.

Page 210

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 an 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 subsection shall not apply to a sale or delivery to any research organization designated by
the Attorney General.
(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 foreign 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 llllllllllll
lllllllllllllllllllllll
Signature lllllllll Date llll.’’
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 Attorney General, 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 refusal 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
delivery 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 of 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).
(d) It shall be unlawful for any person to sell
or otherwise dispose of any firearm or ammuni-

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

tion to any person knowing or having reasonable
cause to believe that such person—
(1) is under indictment for, or has been convicted in any 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 any
controlled substance (as defined in section 102
of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.
802));
(4) has been adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to any mental institution;
(5) who, being an alien—
(A) is illegally or unlawfully in the United
States; or
(B) except as provided in subsection (y)(2),
has been admitted to the United States
under a nonimmigrant visa (as that term is
defined in section 101(a)(26) of the Immigration
and
Nationality
Act
(8
U.S.C.
1101(a)(26)));
(6) who 2 has been discharged from the Armed
Forces under dishonorable conditions;
(7) who, having been a citizen of the United
States, has renounced his citizenship;
(8) is subject to a court order that restrains
such person from harassing, stalking, or
threatening an intimate partner of such person or child of such intimate partner or person, or engaging in other conduct that would
place an intimate partner in reasonable fear of
bodily injury to the partner or child, except
that this paragraph shall only apply to a court
order that—
(A) was issued after a hearing of which
such person received actual notice, and at
which such person had the opportunity to
participate; and
(B)(i) includes a finding that such person
represents a credible threat to the physical
safety of such intimate partner or child; or
(ii) by its terms explicitly prohibits the
use, attempted use, or threatened use of
physical force against such intimate partner
or child that would reasonably be expected
to cause bodily injury; or
(9) has been convicted in any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
This subsection shall not apply with respect to
the sale or disposition of a firearm or ammunition to a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector who
pursuant to subsection (b) of section 925 of this
chapter is not precluded from dealing in firearms 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 transportation
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 which there is any firearm or ammunition without written notice to the carrier that
such firearm or ammunition is being trans2 So

in original. The word ‘‘who’’ probably should not appear.

§ 922

ported or shipped; except that any passenger
who owns or legally possesses a firearm or ammunition 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, captain, conductor or operator
of such common or contract carrier for the duration of the trip without violating any of the provisions of this chapter. No common or contract
carrier shall require or cause any label, tag, or
other written notice to be placed on the outside
of any package, luggage, or other container that
such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.
(f)(1) 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.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any common or
contract carrier to deliver in interstate or foreign commerce any firearm without obtaining
written acknowledgement of receipt from the recipient of the package or other container in
which there is a firearm.
(g) It shall be unlawful for any person—
(1) 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
any controlled substance (as defined in section
102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.
802));
(4) who has been adjudicated as a mental defective or who has been committed to a mental institution;
(5) who, being an alien—
(A) is illegally or unlawfully in the United
States; or
(B) except as provided in subsection (y)(2),
has been admitted to the United States
under a nonimmigrant visa (as that term is
defined in section 101(a)(26) of the Immigration
and
Nationality
Act
(8
U.S.C.
1101(a)(26)));
(6) who has been discharged from the Armed
Forces under dishonorable conditions;
(7) who, having been a citizen of the United
States, has renounced his citizenship;
(8) who is subject to a court order that—
(A) was issued after a hearing of which
such person received actual notice, and at
which such person had an opportunity to
participate;
(B) restrains such person from harassing,
stalking, or threatening an intimate partner
of such person or child of such intimate
partner or person, or engaging in other conduct that would place an intimate partner in
reasonable fear of bodily injury to the partner or child; and
(C)(i) includes a finding that such person
represents a credible threat to the physical
safety of such intimate partner or child; or
(ii) by its terms explicitly prohibits the
use, attempted use, or threatened use of
physical force against such intimate partner

§ 922

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

or child that would reasonably be expected
to cause bodily injury; or
(9) who has been convicted in any court of a
misdemeanor crime of domestic violence,
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.
(h) It shall be unlawful for any individual, who
to that individual’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 ammunition 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.
(i) It shall be unlawful for any person to transport or ship in interstate or foreign commerce,
any stolen firearm or stolen ammunition, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that
the firearm or ammunition was stolen.
(j) It shall be unlawful for any person to receive, possess, 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, which constitutes, or which has been shipped or transported in, interstate or foreign commerce, either
before or after it was stolen, 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, obliterated, or altered or to possess or
receive any firearm which has had the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial number removed,
obliterated, or altered and has, at any time,
been shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.
(l) 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 manufacturer, 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.
(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.

Page 212

(o)(1) 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 authority 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.
(p)(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to
manufacture, import, sell, ship, deliver, possess,
transfer, or receive any firearm—
(A) that, after removal of grips, stocks, and
magazines, is not as detectable as the Security
Exemplar, by walk-through metal detectors
calibrated and operated to detect the Security
Exemplar; or
(B) any major component of which, when
subjected to inspection by the types of x-ray
machines commonly used at airports, does not
generate an image that accurately depicts the
shape of the component. Barium sulfate or
other compounds may be used in the fabrication of the component.
(2) For purposes of this subsection—
(A) the term ‘‘firearm’’ does not include the
frame or receiver of any such weapon;
(B) the term ‘‘major component’’ means,
with respect to a firearm, the barrel, the slide
or cylinder, or the frame or receiver of the
firearm; and
(C) the term ‘‘Security Exemplar’’ means an
object, to be fabricated at the direction of the
Attorney General, that is—
(i) constructed of, during the 12-month period beginning on the date of the enactment
of this subsection, 3.7 ounces of material
type 17–4 PH stainless steel in a shape resembling a handgun; and
(ii) suitable for testing and calibrating
metal detectors:
Provided, however, That at the close of such 12month period, and at appropriate times thereafter the Attorney General shall promulgate
regulations to permit the manufacture, importation, sale, shipment, delivery, possession,
transfer, or receipt of firearms previously prohibited under this subparagraph that are as
detectable as a ‘‘Security Exemplar’’ which
contains 3.7 ounces of material type 17–4 PH
stainless steel, in a shape resembling a handgun, or such lesser amount as is detectable in
view of advances in state-of-the-art developments in weapons detection technology.
(3) Under such rules and regulations as the Attorney General shall prescribe, this subsection
shall not apply to the manufacture, possession,
transfer, receipt, shipment, or delivery of a firearm by a licensed manufacturer or any person
acting pursuant to a contract with a licensed
manufacturer, for the purpose of examining and
testing such firearm to determine whether paragraph (1) applies to such firearm. The Attorney
General shall ensure that rules and regulations
adopted pursuant to this paragraph do not im-

Page 213

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

pair the manufacture of prototype firearms or
the development of new technology.
(4) The Attorney General shall permit the conditional importation of a firearm by a licensed
importer or licensed manufacturer, for examination and testing to determine whether or not the
unconditional importation of such firearm
would violate this subsection.
(5) This subsection shall not apply to any firearm which—
(A) has been certified by the Secretary of
Defense or the Director of Central Intelligence, after consultation with the Attorney
General and the Administrator of the Federal
Aviation Administration, as necessary for
military or intelligence applications; and
(B) is manufactured for and sold exclusively
to military or intelligence agencies of the
United States.
(6) This subsection shall not apply with respect to any firearm manufactured in, imported
into, or possessed in the United States before
the date of the enactment of the Undetectable
Firearms Act of 1988.
(q)(1) The Congress finds and declares that—
(A) crime, particularly crime involving
drugs and guns, is a pervasive, nationwide
problem;
(B) crime at the local level is exacerbated by
the interstate movement of drugs, guns, and
criminal gangs;
(C) firearms and ammunition move easily in
interstate commerce and have been found in
increasing numbers in and around schools, as
documented in numerous hearings in both the
Committee on the Judiciary 3 the House of
Representatives and the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate;
(D) in fact, even before the sale of a firearm,
the gun, its component parts, ammunition,
and the raw materials from which they are
made have considerably moved in interstate
commerce;
(E) while criminals freely move from State
to State, ordinary citizens and foreign visitors
may fear to travel to or through certain parts
of the country due to concern about violent
crime and gun violence, and parents may decline to send their children to school for the
same reason;
(F) the occurrence of violent crime in school
zones has resulted in a decline in the quality
of education in our country;
(G) this decline in the quality of education
has an adverse impact on interstate commerce
and the foreign commerce of the United
States;
(H) States, localities, and school systems
find it almost impossible to handle gun-related crime by themselves—even States, localities, and school systems that have made
strong efforts to prevent, detect, and punish
gun-related crime find their efforts unavailing
due in part to the failure or inability of other
States or localities to take strong measures;
and
(I) the Congress has the power, under the
interstate commerce clause and other provi3 So

in original. Probably should be followed by ‘‘of’’.

§ 922

sions of the Constitution, to enact measures to
ensure the integrity and safety of the Nation’s
schools by enactment of this subsection.
(2)(A) It shall be unlawful for any individual
knowingly to possess a firearm that has moved
in or that otherwise affects interstate or foreign
commerce at a place that the individual knows,
or has reasonable cause to believe, is a school
zone.
(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the
possession of a firearm—
(i) on private property not part of school
grounds;
(ii) if the individual possessing the firearm is
licensed to do so by the State in which the
school zone is located or a political subdivision of the State, and the law of the State or
political subdivision requires that, before an
individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the State or political
subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license;
(iii) that is—
(I) not loaded; and
(II) in a locked container, or a locked firearms rack that is on a motor vehicle;
(iv) by an individual for use in a program approved by a school in the school zone;
(v) by an individual in accordance with a
contract entered into between a school in the
school zone and the individual or an employer
of the individual;
(vi) by a law enforcement officer acting in
his or her official capacity; or
(vii) that is unloaded and is possessed by an
individual while traversing school premises for
the purpose of gaining access to public or private lands open to hunting, if the entry on
school premises is authorized by school authorities.
(3)(A) Except as provided in subparagraph (B),
it shall be unlawful for any person, knowingly or
with reckless disregard for the safety of another, to discharge or attempt to discharge a
firearm that has moved in or that otherwise affects interstate or foreign commerce at a place
that the person knows is a school zone.
(B) Subparagraph (A) does not apply to the
discharge of a firearm—
(i) on private property not part of school
grounds;
(ii) as part of a program approved by a
school in the school zone, by an individual who
is participating in the program;
(iii) by an individual in accordance with a
contract entered into between a school in a
school zone and the individual or an employer
of the individual; or
(iv) by a law enforcement officer acting in
his or her official capacity.
(4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed as preempting or preventing a State or
local government from enacting a statute establishing gun free school zones as provided in this
subsection.
(r) It shall be unlawful for any person to assemble from imported parts any semiautomatic
rifle or any shotgun which is identical to any
rifle or shotgun prohibited from importation

§ 922

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

under section 925(d)(3) of this chapter as not
being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes except that this subsection shall not apply to—
(1) the assembly of any such rifle or shotgun
for sale or distribution by a licensed manufacturer to the United States or any department
or agency thereof or to any State or any department, agency, or political subdivision
thereof; or
(2) the assembly of any such rifle or shotgun
for the purposes of testing or experimentation
authorized by the Attorney General.
(s)(1) Beginning on the date that is 90 days
after the date of enactment of this subsection
and ending on the day before the date that is 60
months after such date of enactment, it shall be
unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed
manufacturer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver,
or transfer a handgun (other than the return of
a handgun to the person from whom it was received) to an individual who is not licensed
under section 923, unless—
(A) after the most recent proposal of such
transfer by the transferee—
(i) the transferor has—
(I) received from the transferee a statement of the transferee containing the information described in paragraph (3);
(II) verified the identity of the transferee
by examining the identification document
presented;
(III) within 1 day after the transferee
furnishes the statement, provided notice of
the contents of the statement to the chief
law enforcement officer of the place of residence of the transferee; and
(IV) within 1 day after the transferee furnishes the statement, transmitted a copy
of the statement to the chief law enforcement officer of the place of residence of
the transferee; and
(ii)(I) 5 business days (meaning days on
which State offices are open) have elapsed
from the date the transferor furnished notice of the contents of the statement to the
chief law enforcement officer, during which
period the transferor has not received information from the chief law enforcement officer that receipt or possession of the handgun
by the transferee would be in violation of
Federal, State, or local law; or
(II) the transferor has received notice from
the chief law enforcement officer that the
officer has no information indicating that
receipt or possession of the handgun by the
transferee would violate Federal, State, or
local law;
(B) the transferee has presented to the transferor a written statement, issued by the chief
law enforcement officer of the place of residence of the transferee during the 10-day period ending on the date of the most recent proposal of such transfer by the transferee, stating that the transferee requires access to a
handgun because of a threat to the life of the
transferee or of any member of the household
of the transferee;
(C)(i) the transferee has presented to the
transferor a permit that—

Page 214

(I) allows the transferee to possess or acquire a handgun; and
(II) was issued not more than 5 years earlier by the State in which the transfer is to
take place; and
(ii) the law of the State provides that such a
permit is to be issued only after an authorized
government official has verified that the information available to such official does not indicate that possession of a handgun by the
transferee would be in violation of the law;
(D) the law of the State requires that, before
any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer,
or licensed dealer completes the transfer of a
handgun to an individual who is not licensed
under section 923, an authorized government
official verify that the information available
to such official does not indicate that possession of a handgun by the transferee would be
in violation of law;
(E) the Attorney General has approved the
transfer under section 5812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
(F) on application of the transferor, the Attorney General has certified that compliance
with subparagraph (A)(i)(III) is impracticable
because—
(i) the ratio of the number of law enforcement officers of the State in which the
transfer is to occur to the number of square
miles of land area of the State does not exceed 0.0025;
(ii) the business premises of the transferor
at which the transfer is to occur are extremely remote in relation to the chief law
enforcement officer; and
(iii) there is an absence of telecommunications facilities in the geographical area in
which the business premises are located.
(2) A chief law enforcement officer to whom a
transferor has provided notice pursuant to paragraph (1)(A)(i)(III) shall make a reasonable effort to ascertain within 5 business days whether
receipt or possession would be in violation of the
law, including research in whatever State and
local recordkeeping systems are available and in
a national system designated by the Attorney
General.
(3) The statement referred to in paragraph
(1)(A)(i)(I) shall contain only—
(A) the name, address, and date of birth appearing on a valid identification document (as
defined in section 1028(d)(1) 4) of the transferee
containing a photograph of the transferee and
a description of the identification used;
(B) a statement that the transferee—
(i) is not under indictment for, and has not
been convicted in any court of, a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year, and has not been convicted in any
court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic
violence;
(ii) is not a fugitive from justice;
(iii) is not an unlawful user of or addicted
to any controlled substance (as defined in
section 102 of the Controlled Substances
Act);
(iv) has not been adjudicated as a mental
defective or been committed to a mental institution;
4 See

References in Text note below.

Page 215

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

(v) is not an alien who—
(I) is illegally or unlawfully in the
United States; or
(II) subject to subsection (y)(2), has been
admitted to the United States under a
nonimmigrant visa (as that term is defined
in section 101(a)(26) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(26)));
(vi) has not been discharged from the
Armed Forces under dishonorable conditions; and
(vii) is not a person who, having been a citizen of the United States, has renounced
such citizenship;
(C) the date the statement is made; and
(D) notice that the transferee intends to obtain a handgun from the transferor.
(4) Any transferor of a handgun who, after
such transfer, receives a report from a chief law
enforcement officer containing information that
receipt or possession of the handgun by the
transferee violates Federal, State, or local law
shall, within 1 business day after receipt of such
request, communicate any information related
to the transfer that the transferor has about the
transfer and the transferee to—
(A) the chief law enforcement officer of the
place of business of the transferor; and
(B) the chief law enforcement officer of the
place of residence of the transferee.
(5) Any transferor who receives information,
not otherwise available to the public, in a report
under this subsection shall not disclose such information except to the transferee, to law enforcement authorities, or pursuant to the direction of a court of law.
(6)(A) Any transferor who sells, delivers, or
otherwise transfers a handgun to a transferee
shall retain the copy of the statement of the
transferee with respect to the handgun transaction, and shall retain evidence that the transferor has complied with subclauses (III) and (IV)
of paragraph (1)(A)(i) with respect to the statement.
(B) Unless the chief law enforcement officer to
whom a statement is transmitted under paragraph (1)(A)(i)(IV) determines that a transaction
would violate Federal, State, or local law—
(i) the officer shall, within 20 business days
after the date the transferee made the statement on the basis of which the notice was provided, destroy the statement, any record containing information derived from the statement, and any record created as a result of the
notice required by paragraph (1)(A)(i)(III);
(ii) the information contained in the statement shall not be conveyed to any person except a person who has a need to know in order
to carry out this subsection; and
(iii) the information contained in the statement shall not be used for any purpose other
than to carry out this subsection.
(C) If a chief law enforcement officer determines that an individual is ineligible to receive
a handgun and the individual requests the officer to provide the reason for such determination, the officer shall provide such reasons to
the individual in writing within 20 business days
after receipt of the request.

§ 922

(7) A chief law enforcement officer or other
person responsible for providing criminal history background information pursuant to this
subsection shall not be liable in an action at law
for damages—
(A) for failure to prevent the sale or transfer
of a handgun to a person whose receipt or possession of the handgun is unlawful under this
section; or
(B) for preventing such a sale or transfer to
a person who may lawfully receive or possess
a handgun.
(8) For purposes of this subsection, the term
‘‘chief law enforcement officer’’ means the chief
of police, the sheriff, or an equivalent officer or
the designee of any such individual.
(9) The Attorney General shall take necessary
actions to ensure that the provisions of this subsection are published and disseminated to licensed dealers, law enforcement officials, and
the public.
(t)(1) Beginning on the date that is 30 days
after the Attorney General notifies licensees
under section 103(d) of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act that the national instant
criminal background check system is established, a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer shall not transfer a firearm to any other person who is not licensed
under this chapter, unless—
(A) before the completion of the transfer,
the licensee contacts the national instant
criminal background check system established
under section 103 of that Act;
(B)(i) the system provides the licensee with
a unique identification number; or
(ii) 3 business days (meaning a day on which
State offices are open) have elapsed since the
licensee contacted the system, and the system
has not notified the licensee that the receipt
of a firearm by such other person would violate subsection (g) or (n) of this section; and
(C) the transferor has verified the identity of
the transferee by examining a valid identification document (as defined in section 1028(d) of
this title) of the transferee containing a photograph of the transferee.
(2) If receipt of a firearm would not violate
subsection (g) or (n) or State law, the system
shall—
(A) assign a unique identification number to
the transfer;
(B) provide the licensee with the number;
and
(C) destroy all records of the system with respect to the call (other than the identifying
number and the date the number was assigned)
and all records of the system relating to the
person or the transfer.
(3) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a firearm
transfer between a licensee and another person
if—
(A)(i) such other person has presented to the
licensee a permit that—
(I) allows such other person to possess or
acquire a firearm; and
(II) was issued not more than 5 years earlier by the State in which the transfer is to
take place; and
(ii) the law of the State provides that such a
permit is to be issued only after an authorized

§ 922

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

government official has verified that the information available to such official does not indicate that possession of a firearm by such other
person would be in violation of law;
(B) the Attorney General has approved the
transfer under section 5812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; or
(C) on application of the transferor, the Attorney General has certified that compliance
with paragraph (1)(A) is impracticable because—
(i) the ratio of the number of law enforcement officers of the State in which the
transfer is to occur to the number of square
miles of land area of the State does not exceed 0.0025;
(ii) the business premises of the licensee at
which the transfer is to occur are extremely
remote in relation to the chief law enforcement officer (as defined in subsection (s)(8));
and
(iii) there is an absence of telecommunications facilities in the geographical area in
which the business premises are located.
(4) If the national instant criminal background check system notifies the licensee that
the information available to the system does
not demonstrate that the receipt of a firearm by
such other person would violate subsection (g)
or (n) or State law, and the licensee transfers a
firearm to such other person, the licensee shall
include in the record of the transfer the unique
identification number provided by the system
with respect to the transfer.
(5) If the licensee knowingly transfers a firearm to such other person and knowingly fails to
comply with paragraph (1) of this subsection
with respect to the transfer and, at the time
such other person most recently proposed the
transfer, the national instant criminal background check system was operating and information was available to the system demonstrating that receipt of a firearm by such other person would violate subsection (g) or (n) of this
section or State law, the Attorney General may,
after notice and opportunity for a hearing, suspend for not more than 6 months or revoke any
license issued to the licensee under section 923,
and may impose on the licensee a civil fine of
not more than $5,000.
(6) Neither a local government nor an employee of the Federal Government or of any
State or local government, responsible for providing information to the national instant
criminal background check system shall be liable in an action at law for damages—
(A) for failure to prevent the sale or transfer
of a firearm to a person whose receipt or possession of the firearm is unlawful under this
section; or
(B) for preventing such a sale or transfer to
a person who may lawfully receive or possess
a firearm.
(u) It shall be unlawful for a person to steal or
unlawfully take or carry away from the person
or the premises of a person who is licensed to
engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, any firearm in
the licensee’s business inventory that has been
shipped or transported in interstate or foreign
commerce.

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[(v), (w) Repealed. Pub. L. 103–322, title XI,
§ 110105(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2000.]
(x)(1) It shall be unlawful for a person to sell,
deliver, or otherwise transfer to a person who
the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to
believe is a juvenile—
(A) a handgun; or
(B) ammunition that is suitable for use only
in a handgun.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person who is
a juvenile to knowingly possess—
(A) a handgun; or
(B) ammunition that is suitable for use only
in a handgun.
(3) This subsection does not apply to—
(A) a temporary transfer of a handgun or
ammunition to a juvenile or to the possession
or use of a handgun or ammunition by a juvenile if the handgun and ammunition are possessed and used by the juvenile—
(i) in the course of employment, in the
course of ranching or farming related to activities at the residence of the juvenile (or
on property used for ranching or farming at
which the juvenile, with the permission of
the property owner or lessee, is performing
activities related to the operation of the
farm or ranch), target practice, hunting, or
a course of instruction in the safe and lawful
use of a handgun;
(ii) with the prior written consent of the
juvenile’s parent or guardian who is not prohibited by Federal, State, or local law from
possessing a firearm, except—
(I) during transportation by the juvenile
of an unloaded handgun in a locked container directly from the place of transfer
to a place at which an activity described
in clause (i) is to take place and transportation by the juvenile of that handgun, unloaded and in a locked container, directly
from the place at which such an activity
took place to the transferor; or
(II) with respect to ranching or farming
activities as described in clause (i), a juvenile may possess and use a handgun or ammunition with the prior written approval
of the juvenile’s parent or legal guardian
and at the direction of an adult who is not
prohibited by Federal, State or local law
from possessing a firearm;
(iii) the juvenile has the prior written consent in the juvenile’s possession at all times
when a handgun is in the possession of the
juvenile; and
(iv) in accordance with State and local
law;
(B) a juvenile who is a member of the Armed
Forces of the United States or the National
Guard who possesses or is armed with a handgun in the line of duty;
(C) a transfer by inheritance of title (but not
possession) of a handgun or ammunition to a
juvenile; or
(D) the possession of a handgun or ammunition by a juvenile taken in defense of the juvenile or other persons against an intruder into
the residence of the juvenile or a residence in
which the juvenile is an invited guest.

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

(4) A handgun or ammunition, the possession
of which is transferred to a juvenile in circumstances in which the transferor is not in violation of this subsection shall not be subject to
permanent confiscation by the Government if
its possession by the juvenile subsequently becomes unlawful because of the conduct of the juvenile, but shall be returned to the lawful owner
when such handgun or ammunition is no longer
required by the Government for the purposes of
investigation or prosecution.
(5) For purposes of this subsection, the term
‘‘juvenile’’ means a person who is less than 18
years of age.
(6)(A) In a prosecution of a violation of this
subsection, the court shall require the presence
of a juvenile defendant’s parent or legal guardian at all proceedings.
(B) The court may use the contempt power to
enforce subparagraph (A).
(C) The court may excuse attendance of a parent or legal guardian of a juvenile defendant at
a proceeding in a prosecution of a violation of
this subsection for good cause shown.
(y) PROVISIONS RELATING TO ALIENS ADMITTED
UNDER NONIMMIGRANT VISAS.—
(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection—
(A) the term ‘‘alien’’ has the same meaning as in section 101(a)(3) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(3)); and
(B) the term ‘‘nonimmigrant visa’’ has the
same meaning as in section 101(a)(26) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C.
1101(a)(26)).
(2)
EXCEPTIONS.—Subsections
(d)(5)(B),
(g)(5)(B), and (s)(3)(B)(v)(II) do not apply to
any alien who has been lawfully admitted to
the United States under a nonimmigrant visa,
if that alien is—
(A) admitted to the United States for lawful hunting or sporting purposes or is in possession of a hunting license or permit lawfully issued in the United States;
(B) an official representative of a foreign
government who is—
(i) accredited to the United States Government or the Government’s mission to
an international organization having its
headquarters in the United States; or
(ii) en route to or from another country
to which that alien is accredited;
(C) an official of a foreign government or a
distinguished foreign visitor who has been so
designated by the Department of State; or
(D) a foreign law enforcement officer of a
friendly foreign government entering the
United States on official law enforcement
business.
(3) WAIVER.—
(A) CONDITIONS FOR WAIVER.—Any individual who has been admitted to the United
States under a nonimmigrant visa may receive a waiver from the requirements of subsection (g)(5), if—
(i) the individual submits to the Attorney General a petition that meets the requirements of subparagraph (C); and
(ii) the Attorney General approves the
petition.
(B) PETITION.—Each petition under subparagraph (B) shall—

§ 922

(i) demonstrate that the petitioner has
resided in the United States for a continuous period of not less than 180 days before
the date on which the petition is submitted under this paragraph; and
(ii) include a written statement from the
embassy or consulate of the petitioner, authorizing the petitioner to acquire a firearm or ammunition and certifying that
the alien would not, absent the application
of subsection (g)(5)(B), otherwise be prohibited from such acquisition under subsection (g).
(C) APPROVAL OF PETITION.—The Attorney
General shall approve a petition submitted
in accordance with this paragraph, if the Attorney General determines that waiving the
requirements of subsection (g)(5)(B) with respect to the petitioner—
(i) would be in the interests of justice;
and
(ii) would not jeopardize the public safety.
(z) SECURE GUN STORAGE OR SAFETY DEVICE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided under
paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer to sell, deliver, or transfer any
handgun to any person other than any person
licensed under this chapter, unless the transferee is provided with a secure gun storage or
safety device (as defined in section 921(a)(34))
for that handgun.
(2) EXCEPTIONS.—Paragraph (1) shall not
apply to—
(A)(i) the manufacture for, transfer to, or
possession by, the United States, a department or agency of the United States, a
State, or a department, agency, or political
subdivision of a State, of a handgun; or
(ii) the transfer to, or possession by, a law
enforcement officer employed by an entity
referred to in clause (i) of a handgun for law
enforcement purposes (whether on or off
duty); or
(B) the transfer to, or possession by, a rail
police officer employed by a rail carrier and
certified or commissioned as a police officer
under the laws of a State of a handgun for
purposes of law enforcement (whether on or
off duty);
(C) the transfer to any person of a handgun
listed as a curio or relic by the Secretary
pursuant to section 921(a)(13); or
(D) the transfer to any person of a handgun for which a secure gun storage or safety
device is temporarily unavailable for the
reasons described in the exceptions stated in
section 923(e), if the licensed manufacturer,
licensed importer, or licensed dealer delivers
to the transferee within 10 calendar days
from the date of the delivery of the handgun
to the transferee a secure gun storage or
safety device for the handgun.
(3) LIABILITY FOR USE.—
(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, a person who has lawful possession and control of a handgun, and
who uses a secure gun storage or safety device with the handgun, shall be entitled to

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

immunity from a qualified civil liability action.
(B) PROSPECTIVE ACTIONS.—A qualified
civil liability action may not be brought in
any Federal or State court.
(C) DEFINED TERM.—As used in this paragraph, the term ‘‘qualified civil liability action’’—
(i) means a civil action brought by any
person against a person described in subparagraph (A) for damages resulting from
the criminal or unlawful misuse of the
handgun by a third party, if—
(I) the handgun was accessed by another person who did not have the permission or authorization of the person
having lawful possession and control of
the handgun to have access to it; and
(II) at the time access was gained by
the person not so authorized, the handgun had been made inoperable by use of
a secure gun storage or safety device;
and
(ii) shall not include an action brought
against the person having lawful possession and control of the handgun for negligent entrustment or negligence per se.
[APPENDIX A Repealed. Pub. L. 103–322, title XI,
§ 110105(2), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2000]

(Added Pub. L. 90–351, title IV, § 902, June 19,
1968, 82 Stat. 228; amended Pub. L. 90–618, title I,
§ 102, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1216; Pub. L. 97–377,
title I, § 165(a), Dec. 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1923; Pub. L.
99–308, § 102, May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 451; Pub. L.
99–408, § 2, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 920; Pub. L.
99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L.
100–649, § 2(a), (f)(2)(A), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat.
3816, 3818; Pub. L. 100–690, title VII, § 7060(c), Nov.
18, 1988, 102 Stat. 4404; Pub. L. 101–647, title XVII,
§ 1702(b)(1), title XXII, §§ 2201, 2202, 2204(b), title
XXXV, § 3524, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4844, 4856,
4857, 4924; Pub. L. 103–159, title I, § 102(a)(1), (b),
title III, § 302(a)–(c), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1536,
1539, 1545; Pub. L. 103–322, title XI, §§ 110102(a),
110103(a), 110105(2), 110106, 110201(a), 110401(b), (c),
110511, 110514, title XXXII, §§ 320904, 320927, title
XXXIII, § 330011(i), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1996,
1998, 2000, 2010, 2014, 2019, 2125, 2131, 2145; Pub. L.
104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(f) [title VI, §§ 657,
658(b)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–369,
3009–372; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 603(b), (c)(1),
(d)–(f)(1), (g), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3503, 3504;
Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(b) [title I, § 121], Oct.
21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–50, 2681–71; Pub. L. 107–273,
div. B, title IV, § 4003(a)(1), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat.
1811; Pub. L. 107–296, title XI, § 1112(f)(4), (6), Nov.
25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2276; Pub. L. 109–92, §§ 5(c)(1),
6(a), Oct. 26, 2005, 119 Stat. 2099, 2101.)
AMENDMENT OF SECTION
Pub. L. 100–649, § 2(f)(2)(A), Nov. 10, 1988, 102
Stat. 3818, as amended by Pub. L. 105–277, div.
A, § 101(h) [title VI, § 649], Oct. 21, 1998, 112
Stat. 2681–480, 2681–528; Pub. L. 108–174, § 1(1),
Dec. 9, 2003, 117 Stat. 2481, provided that, effective 25 years after the 30th day beginning after
Nov. 10, 1988, subsection (p) of this section is repealed.
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The effective date of this chapter, referred to in subsec. (a)(3), is December 16, 1968.

Page 218

Section 5845 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (a)(4) and (b)(4), is classified to section 5845 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
For date this subsection takes effect, referred to in
subsec. (o)(2)(B), as May 19, 1986, see Effective Date of
1986 Amendment note, set out below.
The date of the enactment of this subsection and the
date of the enactment of the Undetectable Firearms
Act of 1988, referred to in subsec. (p)(2)(C)(i), (6), respectively, are both the date of enactment of Pub. L.
100–649, which enacted subsec. (p) of this section and
which was approved Nov. 10, 1988.
The date of enactment of this subsection, referred to
in subsec. (s)(1), is the date of enactment of Pub. L.
103–159, which was approved Nov. 30, 1993.
Section 5812 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsecs. (s)(1)(E) and (t)(3)(B), is classified
to section 5812 of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 1028 of this title, referred to in subsec.
(s)(3)(A), was subsequently amended, and section
1028(d)(1) no longer defines the term ‘‘identification
document’’. However, such term is defined elsewhere in
that section.
Section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act, referred
to in subsec. (s)(3)(B)(iii), is classified to section 802 of
Title 21, Food and Drugs.
Section 103 of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, referred to in subsec. (t)(1), is section 103 of
Pub. L. 103–159, which is set out below.
AMENDMENTS
2005—Subsec. (a)(7), (8). Pub. L. 109–92, § 6(a), added
pars. (7) and (8) and struck out former pars. (7) and (8)
which related to prohibitions on the manufacture, importation, sale, and delivery of armor piercing ammunition.
Subsec. (z). Pub. L. 109–92, § 5(c)(1), added subsec. (z).
2002—Subsecs. (a) to (c), (p)(2) to (4). Pub. L. 107–296,
§ 1112(f)(6), substituted ‘‘Attorney General’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’ wherever appearing.
Subsec. (p)(5)(A). Pub. L. 107–296, § 1112(f)(4), substituted ‘‘after consultation with the Attorney General’’ for ‘‘after consultation with the Secretary’’.
Subsecs. (r), (s). Pub. L. 107–296, § 1112(f)(6), substituted ‘‘Attorney General’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’ wherever
appearing.
Subsec. (t)(1)(C). Pub. L. 107–273 substituted ‘‘1028(d)’’
for ‘‘1028(d)(1)’’.
Subsecs. (t)(3), (5), (v), (w). Pub. L. 107–296, § 1112(f)(6),
substituted ‘‘Attorney General’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’ wherever appearing.
1998—Subsec. (d)(5). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(b) [title I,
§ 121(1)], added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5)
which read as follows: ‘‘who, being an alien, is illegally
or unlawfully in the United States;’’.
Subsec. (g)(5). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(b) [title I, § 121(2)],
added par. (5) and struck out former par. (5) which read
as follows: ‘‘who, being an alien, is illegally or unlawfully in the United States;’’.
Subsec. (s)(3)(B)(v). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(b) [title I,
§ 121(3)], added cl. (v) and struck out former cl. (v)
which read as follows: ‘‘is not an alien who is illegally
or unlawfully in the United States;’’.
Subsec. (y). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(b) [title I, § 121(4)],
added subsec. (y).
1996—Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(g), amended Appendix A by
substituting ‘‘Uberti 1866 Sporting Rifle’’ for ‘‘Uberti
1866 Sporting Rilfe’’ in category designated ‘‘Centerfire
Rifles—Lever & Slide’’, ‘‘Sako FiberClass Sporter’’ for
‘‘Sako Fiberclass Sporter’’ in category designated
‘‘Centerfire Rifles—Bolt Action’’, ‘‘Remington 870 SPS
Special Purpose Magnum’’ for ‘‘Remington 879 SPS
Special Purpose Magnum’’ in category designated
‘‘Shotguns—Slide Actions’’, and ‘‘E.A.A./Sabatti Falcon-Mon Over/Under’’ for ‘‘E.A.A/Sabatti Falcon-Mon
Over/Under’’ in category designated ‘‘Shotguns—Over/
Unders’’.
Subsec. (d)(9). Pub. L. 104–208, § 101(f) [§ 658(b)(1)],
added par. (9).
Subsec. (g)(7). Pub. L. 104–208, § 101(f) [§ 658(b)(2)(A)],
struck out ‘‘or’’ at end.

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Subsec. (g)(8)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(b), which directed the amendment of cl. (ii) by substituting a semicolon for the comma at end, could not be executed because of the prior amendment by Pub. L. 104–208, § 101(f)
[§ 658(b)(2)]. See below.
Pub. L. 104–208, § 101(f) [§ 658(b)(2)(B)], substituted
‘‘; or’’ for comma at end.
Subsec. (g)(9). Pub. L. 104–208, § 101(f) [§ 658(b)(2)(C)],
added par. (9).
Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 104–208, § 101(f) [title VI, § 657],
amended subsec. generally, revising and restating
former provisions.
Subsec. (s)(1). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(c)(1), amended directory language of Pub. L. 103–322, § 320927. See 1994
Amendment note below.
Subsec. (s)(3)(B)(i). Pub. L. 104–208, § 101(f) [title VI,
§ 658(b)(3)], inserted ‘‘, and has not been convicted in
any court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence’’ before the semicolon.
Subsec. (t)(2). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(d), substituted
‘‘subsection (g) or (n)’’ for ‘‘section 922(g) or (n)’’ in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (w)(4). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(e), substituted
‘‘section 923(i) of this title’’ for ‘‘section 923(i) of title
18, United States Code,’’.
Subsec. (x). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(f)(1), amended directory language of Pub. L. 103–322, § 110201(a). See 1994
Amendment note below.
1994—Pub. L. 103–322, § 110106, which added Appendix A
specifying firearms that were not prohibited by subsec.
(v)(1) at end of section, was repealed by Pub. L. 103–322,
§ 110105(2). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1994
Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a)(9). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110514, added par. (9).
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330011(i), amended directory language of Pub. L. 101–647, § 3524. See 1990
Amendment note below.
Subsec. (d)(8). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110401(b), added par.
(8).
Subsec. (g)(8). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110401(c), added par.
(8).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110511, amended subsec.
(j) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (j) read as
follows: ‘‘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, which constitutes, or which has been shipped or transported in,
interstate or foreign commerce, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the firearm or ammunition was stolen.’’
Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 103–322, § 320904, added par. (1) and
redesignated former pars. (1) to (3) as (2) to (4), respectively.
Subsec. (s)(1). Pub. L. 103–322, § 320927, as amended by
Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(c)(1), inserted ‘‘(other than the return of a handgun to the person from whom it was received)’’ after ‘‘handgun’’ in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (v). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110102(a), which added
subsec. (v) prohibiting the manufacture, transfer, or
possession of automatic assault weapons, was repealed
by Pub. L. 103–322, § 110105(2). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1994 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (w). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110103(a), which added
subsec. (w) prohibiting the transfer or possession of a
large capacity ammunition feeding device, was repealed
by Pub. L. 103–322, § 110105(2). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1994 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (x). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110201(a), as amended by
Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(f)(1), added subsec. (x).
1993—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 103–159, § 302(a), inserted at
end ‘‘No common or contract carrier shall require or
cause any label, tag, or other written notice to be
placed on the outside of any package, luggage, or other
container that such package, luggage, or other container contains a firearm.’’
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 103–159, § 302(b), designated existing provisions as par. (1) and added par. (2).
Subsec. (s). Pub. L. 103–159, § 102(a)(1), added subsec.
(s).

§ 922

Subsec. (t). Pub. L. 103–159, § 102(b), added subsec. (t).
Subsec. (u). Pub. L. 103–159, § 302(c), added subsec. (u).
1990—Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2201, substituted
‘‘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 transferor resides;’’
for ‘‘resides in any State other than that in 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);’’.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 101–647, § 3524, as amended by
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330011(i), substituted semicolon for period at end.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2202(a), substituted
‘‘which constitutes, or which has been shipped or transported in’’ for ‘‘or which constitutes’’.
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2202(b), inserted before
period at end ‘‘or to possess or receive any firearm
which has had the importer’s or manufacturer’s serial
number removed, obliterated, or altered and has, at
any time, been shipped or transported in interstate or
foreign commerce’’.
Subsec. (q). Pub. L. 101–647, § 1702(b)(1), added subsec.
(q).
Subsec. (r). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2204(b), added subsec. (r).
1988—Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 100–690 inserted ‘‘who’’
before ‘‘is’’.
Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 100–649 added subsec. (p).
1986—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(1), amended
par. (1) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (1) read as
follows: ‘‘for any person, except a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed dealer, to engage in
the business of importing, 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;’’
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(2)(A), in provision
preceding subpar. (A) struck out ‘‘or ammunition’’
after ‘‘any firearm’’.
Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(2)(B), substituted ‘‘licensed dealer, or licensed collector’’ for ‘‘or
licensed dealer for the sole purpose of repair or customizing’’.
Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(3), substituted
‘‘firearm’’ for ‘‘rifle or shotgun’’ and ‘‘with subsection
(b)(3) of this section’’ for ‘‘with the provisions of subsection (b)(3) of this section’’.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted ‘‘Internal
Revenue Code of 1986’’ for ‘‘Internal Revenue Code of
1954’’.
Subsec. (a)(7), (8). Pub. L. 99–408 added pars. (7) and
(8).
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(4)(A), struck out
‘‘or ammunition’’ after ‘‘firearm’’ in two places.
Subsec. (b)(3)(A). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(4)(B), inserted a
new cl. (A) and struck out former cl. (A) which provided
that par. (3) ‘‘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, complied with all of the requirements of section 922(c) applicable to intrastate transactions other than at the licensee’s business premises,’’.
Subsec. (b)(3)(B), (C). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(4)(C), (D), inserted ‘‘and’’ before ‘‘(B)’’ and struck out cl. (C), which
provided that par. (3) ‘‘shall not preclude any person
who is participating in any organized rifle or shotgun
match or contest, or is engaged in hunting, in a State
other than his State of residence and whose rifle or
shotgun 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

§ 922

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

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’’.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted ‘‘Internal
Revenue Code of 1986’’ for ‘‘Internal Revenue Code of
1954’’.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(4)(E), substituted
‘‘or armor-piercing ammunition’’ for ‘‘or ammunition
except .22 caliber rimfire ammunition’’.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(5)(A), substituted
‘‘person’’ for ‘‘licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector’’ in provision preceding par. (1).
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(5)(B), amended par.
(3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: ‘‘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’’.
Subsec. (d)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(5)(C), (D),
added pars. (5) to (7).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(6)(D), in concluding
provision substituted ‘‘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’’ for ‘‘any firearm or
ammunition in interstate or foreign commerce’’.
Subsec. (g)(1). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(6)(A), struck out
‘‘is under indictment for, or who’’ after ‘‘who’’.
Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(6)(B), amended par.
(3) generally. Prior to amendment, par. (3) read as follows: ‘‘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’’.
Subsec. (g)(5) to (7). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(6)(C), added
pars. (5) to (7).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(7), amended subsec.
(h) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (h) read as
follows: ‘‘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 any mental institution;
to receive any firearm or ammunition which has been
shipped or transported in interstate or foreign commerce.’’
Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(8), added subsec. (n).
Subsec. (o). Pub. L. 99–308, § 102(9), added subsec. (o).
1982—Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 97–377 inserted ‘‘except .22
caliber rimfire ammunition’’ after ‘‘or ammunition’’.
1968—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 90–618 reenacted par. (1)
without change.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 90–618 added licensed collectors
to the enumerated list of licensees subject to the provisions of this chapter, struck out exemption for the
shipment or transportation in interstate or foreign
commerce for rifles or shotguns, and inserted exemption authorizing an individual to mail a lawfully owned
firearm to the specified licensees for the sole purpose of
repair or customizing.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 90–618 added licensed collectors
to the enumerated list of licensees, struck out exemption for shotguns or rifles purchased or otherwise obtained outside the state of residence of the recipient,
struck out provision making it unlawful for any person
to purchase or otherwise obtain outside his state of residence any firearm which it would be unlawful for him

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to purchase or possess in that state, and provided for
exemptions when any person outside of his state of residence acquires a firearm by bequest or interstate succession and transports the firearm or otherwise receives it in his state of residence, if it is lawful for such
person to purchase or possess such firearm in his state
of residence, when a rifle or shotgun is obtained in conformity with the provisions of subsec. (b)(3) of this section, and when any firearm has been acquired in any
state prior to the effective date of this chapter.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 90–618 added licensed collectors
to the enumerated list of licensees, and provided that
the transporting of the specified articles be authorized
by the Secretary when consistent with public safety
and necessity.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 90–618 added licensed collectors
to the enumerated list of exempted licensees, prohibited the transfer, etc., of any firearm when the transferor has reasonable cause to believe that the transferee resides in a State other than that in which the
transferor resides, and substituted provisions which exempted the transfer, transportation, or delivery of firearms incident to a bequest or intestate succession and
the loan or rental of firearms to any person for temporary use for lawful sporting purposes for provisions
which exempted the transfer of shotguns or rifles and
prohibited the transfer, etc., of any firearm which the
transferee could not lawfully purchase or possess in accord with the applicable laws, regulations or ordinances of the state or political subdivision in which the
transferee resides.
Subsec. (a)(6). Pub. L. 90–618 added licensed collectors
to the enumerated list of licensees, and extended the
provisions to include the acquisition or attempted acquisition of ammunition.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 90–618, in provision preceding par.
(1), added licensed collectors to the enumerated list of
licensees.
Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 90–618 substituted provisions
making it unlawful to sell or deliver any firearm or
ammunition to any individual who the licensee knows
or has reasonable cause to believe is less than 18, and
to sell or deliver any firearm, other than a rifle or shotgun, or ammunition, other than ammunition for a rifle
or shotgun, to any individual who the licensee knows
or has reasonable cause to believe is less than 21, for
provisions making it unlawful to sell or deliver any
firearm to any individual who the licensee knows or
has reasonable cause to believe is less than 21, if the
firearm is other than a shotgun or rifle.
Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 90–618 extended the prohibition
to include the sale or delivery of ammunition to any
person where the purchase or possession by such person
of such ammunition would be unlawful, and struck out
‘‘or in the locality in which such person resides’’ after
‘‘or other disposition,’’.
Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 90–618 inserted the exemptions
to the prohibition against the sale or delivery of any
firearm to any person who the licensee knows or has
reasonable cause to believe does not reside in the state
in which the licensee’s place of business is located.
Subsec. (b)(4). Pub. L. 90–618 substituted provisions
making it unlawful to sell or deliver any of the specified articles, except as specifically authorized by the
Secretary as consistent with public safety and necessity, for provisions making it unlawful to sell or deliver
any of the specified articles, unless the transferor has
obtained a sworn statement executed by the principal
law enforcement officer of the locality in which the
transferee resides stating that such person’s receipt or
possession would not be unlawful, and that the receipt
or possession is intended for lawful purposes, with such
sworn statement to be retained by the licensee as part
of the records required to be kept under this chapter.
Subsec. (b)(5). Pub. L. 90–618 extended the prohibition
to include the sale or delivery of ammunition and, in
the material following subsec. (b)(5), added licensed
collectors to the enumerated list of licensees, and the
provision that subsec. (b)(4) shall not apply to a sale or
delivery to any research organization designated by the
Secretary.

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Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 90–618 added subsec. (c), redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d), added licensed collectors to the enumerated list of licensees, extended
the prohibition against disposal of firearms or ammunition to include the disposal by any person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to marihuana or any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, or any person who
has been adjudicated a mental defective or has been
committed to any mental institution, and inserted ‘‘or
ammunition’’ after ‘‘the sale or disposition of a firearm’’. Former subsec. (d) redesignated (f).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 90–618 added subsec. (e). Former
subsec. (e) redesignated (g).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec.
(d) as (f) and extended the prohibition against transportation or delivery to include ammunition. Former subsec. (f) redesignated (h).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec.
(e) as (g) and extended the prohibition against the shipment or transportation of firearms or ammunition to
include the shipment or transportation by any persons
who is an unlawful user of or addicted to marihuana or
any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, or any person who has been adjudicated a mental defective or has
been committed to a mental institution. Former subsec. (g) redesignated (i).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec. (f) as (h) and extended the prohibition against the
receipt of any firearms or ammunition to include the
receipt by any person who is an unlawful user of or addicted to marihuana or any depressant, stimulant, or
narcotic drug, or any person who has been adjudicated
a mental defective or has been committed to any mental institution. Former subsec. (h) redesignated (j).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec.
(g) as (i) and substituted ‘‘that the firearm or ammunition was’’ for ‘‘the same to have been’’. Former subsec.
(i) redesignated (k).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec.
(h) as (j) and substituted ‘‘which is moving as, which is
a part of,’’ for ‘‘moving as or which is a part of’’ and
‘‘that the firearm or ammunition was’’ for ‘‘the same
to have been’’. Former subsec. (j) redesignated (l).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec. (i) as (k). Former subsec. (k) redesignated (m).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec.
(j) as (l).
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec. (k) as (m) and added licensed collectors to the enumerated list of licensees.
CHANGE OF NAME
Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or
the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the
Director’s capacity as the head of the intelligence community deemed to be a reference to the Director of National Intelligence. Reference to the Director of Central Intelligence or the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency in the Director’s capacity as the head of
the Central Intelligence Agency deemed to be a reference to the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. See section 1081(a), (b) of Pub. L. 108–458, set out as
a note under section 401 of Title 50, War and National
Defense.
Post Office Department, referred to in subsec. (c)(2),
redesignated United States Postal Service pursuant to
Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(o), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 733, set out
as a note preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal Service.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2005 AMENDMENT
Pub. L. 109–92, § 5(d), Oct. 26, 2005, 119 Stat. 2101, provided that: ‘‘This section [amending this section and
section 924 of this title and enacting provisions set out
as notes under this section and section 921 of this title]
and the amendments made by this section shall take effect 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act
[Oct. 26, 2005].’’
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

§ 922

an Effective Date note under section 101 of Title 6, Domestic Security.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Section 603(c)(2) of Pub. L. 104–294 provided that:
‘‘The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this
section] shall take effect as if the amendment had been
included in section 320927 of the Act referred to in paragraph (1) [Pub. L. 103–322] on the date of the enactment
of such Act [Sept. 13, 1994].’’
Section 603(f)(2) of Pub. L. 104–294 provided that: ‘‘The
amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect as if the amendment had been included in section 110201 of the Act referred to in paragraph (1) [Pub. L. 103–322] on the date of the enactment
of such Act [Sept. 13, 1994].’’
Section 603(i)(2) of Pub. L. 104–294 provided that: ‘‘The
amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending section
210603(b) of Pub. L. 103–322, which amended sections
103(k) and 106(b)(2) of Pub. L. 103–159, set out as notes
below] shall take effect as if the amendment had been
included in section 210603(b) of the Act referred to in
paragraph (1) [Pub. L. 103–322] on the date of the enactment of such Act [Sept. 13, 1994].’’
EFFECTIVE AND TERMINATION DATES OF 1994
AMENDMENT
Amendment by sections 110102(a), 110103(a), and 110106
of Pub. L. 103–322 repealed 10 years after Sept. 13, 1994,
see section 110105(2) of Pub. L. 103–322, formerly set out
as a note under section 921 of this title.
Section 330011(i) of Pub. L. 103–322 provided that the
amendment made by that section is effective as of the
date on which section 3524 of Pub. L. 101–647 took effect.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 1702(b)(1) of Pub. L. 101–647 applicable to conduct engaged in after the end of the 60day period beginning on Nov. 29, 1990, see section
1702(b)(4) of Pub. L. 101–647, set out as a note under section 921 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT; SUNSET
PROVISION
Pub. L. 100–649, § 2(f), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3818, as
amended by Pub. L. 101–647, title XXXV, § 3526(b), Nov.
29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4924; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(h)
[title VI, § 649], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–480, 2681–528;
Pub. L. 108–174, § 1, Dec. 9, 2003, 117 Stat. 2481, provided
that:
‘‘(1) EFFECTIVE DATE.—This Act and the amendments
made by this Act [amending this section and sections
924 and 925 of this title and enacting provisions set out
as notes under this section, section 921 of this title, and
section 1356 of former Title 49, Transportation] shall
take effect on the 30th day beginning after the date of
the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1988].
‘‘(2) Sunset.—Effective 25 years after the effective
date of this Act—
‘‘(A) subsection (p) of section 922 of title 18, United
States Code, is hereby repealed;
‘‘(B) subsection (f) of section 924 of such title is
hereby repealed and subsections (g) through (o) of
such section are hereby redesignated as subsections
(f) through (n), respectively;
‘‘(C) subsection (f) of section 925 of such title is
hereby repealed;
‘‘(D) section 924(a)(1) of such title is amended by
striking ‘this subsection, subsection (b), (c), or (f) of
this section, or in section 929’ and inserting ‘this
chapter’; and
‘‘(E) section 925(a) of such title is amended—
‘‘(i) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘and provisions
relating to firearms subject to the prohibitions of
section 922(p)’; and
‘‘(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking ‘, except for
provisions relating to firearms subject to the prohibitions of section 922(p),’; and
‘‘(iii) in each of paragraphs (3) and (4), by striking
‘except for provisions relating to firearms subject
to the prohibitions of section 922(p),’.’’

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT

Amendment by section 102(1)–(8) of Pub. L. 99–308 effective 180 days after May 19, 1986, and amendment by
section 102(9) of Pub. L. 99–308 effective May 19, 1986, see
section 110(a), (c) of Pub. L. 99–308, set out as a note
under section 921 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1968 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–618 effective Dec. 16, 1968,
except subsec. (l) effective Oct. 22, 1968, see section 105
of Pub. L. 90–618, set out as a note under section 921 of
this title.
PURPOSES
Pub. L. 109–92, § 5(b), Oct. 26, 2005, 119 Stat. 2099, provided that: ‘‘The purposes of this section [amending
this section and section 924 of this title and enacting
provisions set out as notes under this section and section 921 of this title] are—
‘‘(1) to promote the safe storage and use of handguns by consumers;
‘‘(2) to prevent unauthorized persons from gaining
access to or use of a handgun, including children who
may not be in possession of a handgun; and
‘‘(3) to avoid hindering industry from supplying
firearms to law abiding citizens for all lawful purposes, including hunting, self-defense, collecting, and
competitive or recreational shooting.’’
[For definition of ‘‘person’’ as used in section 5(b) of
Pub. L. 109–92, set out above, see section 7903 of Title 15,
Commerce and Trade.]
LIABILITY; EVIDENCE
Pub. L. 109–92, § 5(c)(3), Oct. 26, 2005, 119 Stat. 2101,
provided that:
‘‘(A) LIABILITY.—Nothing in this section [amending
this section and section 924 of this title and enacting
provisions set out as notes under this section and section 921 of this title] shall be construed to—
‘‘(i) create a cause of action against any Federal
firearms licensee or any other person for any civil liability; or
‘‘(ii) establish any standard of care.
‘‘(B) EVIDENCE.—Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, evidence regarding compliance or noncompliance with the amendments made by this section shall
not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of any
court, agency, board, or other entity, except with respect to an action relating to section 922(z) of title 18,
United States Code, as added by this subsection.
‘‘(C) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to bar a governmental action
to impose a penalty under section 924(p) of title 18,
United States Code, for a failure to comply with section 922(z) of that title.’’
[For definition of ‘‘person’’ as used in section 5(c)(3)
of Pub. L. 109–92, set out above, see section 7903 of Title
15, Commerce and Trade.]
CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS FOR PERSONS OFFERING
FIREARM AS COLLATERAL
Pub. L. 106–58, title VI, § 634, Sept. 29, 1999, 113 Stat.
473, provided that: ‘‘None of the funds made available in
this or any other Act with respect to any fiscal year
may be used for any system to implement section 922(t)
of title 18, United States Code, unless the system allows, in connection with a person’s delivery of a firearm to a Federal firearms licensee as collateral for a
loan, the background check to be performed at the time
the collateral is offered for delivery to such licensee:
Provided, That the licensee notifies local law enforcement within 48 hours of the licensee receiving a denial
on the person offering the collateral: Provided further,
That the provisions of section 922(t) shall apply at the
time of the redemption of the firearm.’’
Similar provisions were contained in the following
prior appropriation act:

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Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(h) [title VI, § 655], Oct. 21,
1998, 112 Stat. 2681–480, 2681–530.
AVAILABILITY OF VIOLENT CRIME REDUCTION TRUST
FUND TO FUND ACTIVITIES AUTHORIZED BY BRADY
HANDGUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION ACT AND NATIONAL
CHILD PROTECTION ACT OF 1993
Pub. L. 103–322, title XXI, § 210603(a), Sept. 13, 1994, 108
Stat. 2074, which provided that certain amounts authorized in sections 103(k) and 106(b)(2) of Pub. L.
103–159, set out below, and section 5119b(b) of Title 42,
The Public Health and Welfare, may be appropriated
from the Violent Crime Reduction Trust Fund, was repealed by Pub. L. 109–162, title XI, § 1154(b)(4), Jan. 5,
2006, 119 Stat. 3113.
NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
SYSTEM
Pub. L. 110–180, Jan. 8, 2008, 121 Stat. 2559, provided
that:
‘‘SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.
‘‘(a) SHORT TILE [sic].—This Act may be cited as the
‘NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007’.
‘‘(b) Table of Contents.—[Omitted.]
‘‘SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
‘‘Congress finds the following:
‘‘(1) Approximately 916,000 individuals were prohibited from purchasing a firearm for failing a background check between November 30, 1998, (the date
the National Instant Criminal Background Check
System (NICS) began operating) and December 31,
2004.
‘‘(2) From November 30, 1998, through December 31,
2004, nearly 49,000,000 Brady background checks were
processed through NICS.
‘‘(3) Although most Brady background checks are
processed through NICS in seconds, many background
checks are delayed if the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) does not have automated access to
complete information from the States concerning
persons prohibited from possessing or receiving a
firearm under Federal or State law.
‘‘(4) Nearly 21,000,000 criminal records are not accessible by NICS and millions of criminal records are
missing critical data, such as arrest dispositions, due
to data backlogs.
‘‘(5) The primary cause of delay in NICS background checks is the lack of—
‘‘(A) updates and available State criminal disposition records; and
‘‘(B) automated access to information concerning
persons prohibited from possessing or receiving a
firearm because of mental illness, restraining orders, or misdemeanor convictions for domestic violence.
‘‘(6) Automated access to this information can be
improved by—
‘‘(A) computerizing information relating to criminal history, criminal dispositions, mental illness,
restraining orders, and misdemeanor convictions
for domestic violence; or
‘‘(B) making such information available to NICS
in a usable format.
‘‘(7) Helping States to automate these records will
reduce delays for law-abiding gun purchasers.
‘‘(8) On March 12, 2002, the senseless shooting, which
took the lives of a priest and a parishioner at the Our
Lady of Peace Church in Lynbrook, New York,
brought attention to the need to improve information-sharing that would enable Federal and State law
enforcement agencies to conduct a complete background check on a potential firearm purchaser. The
man who committed this double murder had a prior
disqualifying mental health commitment and a restraining order against him, but passed a Brady background check because NICS did not have the necessary information to determine that he was ineli-

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

gible to purchase a firearm under Federal or State
law.
‘‘(9) On April 16, 2007, a student with a history of
mental illness at the Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University shot to death 32 students and
faculty members, wounded 17 more, and then took his
own life. The shooting, the deadliest campus shooting
in United States history, renewed the need to improve information-sharing that would enable Federal
and State law enforcement agencies to conduct complete background checks on potential firearms purchasers. In spite of a proven history of mental illness,
the shooter was able to purchase the two firearms
used in the shooting. Improved coordination between
State and Federal authorities could have ensured
that the shooter’s disqualifying mental health information was available to NICS.
‘‘SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
‘‘As used in this Act, the following definitions shall
apply:
‘‘(1) COURT ORDER.—The term ‘court order’ includes
a court order (as described in section 922(g)(8) of title
18, United States Code).
‘‘(2) MENTAL HEALTH TERMS.—The terms ‘adjudicated as a mental defective’ and ‘committed to a
mental institution’ have the same meanings as in
section 922(g)(4) of title 18, United States Code.
‘‘(3) MISDEMEANOR CRIME OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.—
The term ‘misdemeanor crime of domestic violence’
has the meaning given the term in section 921(a)(33)
of title 18, United States Code.
‘‘TITLE I—TRANSMITTAL OF RECORDS
‘‘SEC. 101. ENHANCEMENT OF REQUIREMENT THAT
FEDERAL DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES PROVIDE RELEVANT INFORMATION TO THE NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND
CHECK SYSTEM.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—[Amended section 103 of Pub. L.
103–159, set out below.]
‘‘(b) PROVISION AND MAINTENANCE OF NICS RECORDS.—
‘‘(1) DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY.—The Secretary of Homeland Security shall make available to
the Attorney General—
‘‘(A) records, updated not less than quarterly,
which are relevant to a determination of whether a
person is disqualified from possessing or receiving a
firearm under subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of
title 18, United States Code, for use in background
checks performed by the National Instant Criminal
Background Check System; and
‘‘(B) information regarding all the persons described in subparagraph (A) of this paragraph who
have changed their status to a category not identified under section 922(g)(5) of title 18, United States
Code, for removal, when applicable, from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System.
‘‘(2) DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.—The Attorney General shall—
‘‘(A) ensure that any information submitted to,
or maintained by, the Attorney General under this
section is kept accurate and confidential, as required by the laws, regulations, policies, or procedures governing the applicable record system;
‘‘(B) provide for the timely removal and destruction of obsolete and erroneous names and information from the National Instant Criminal Background Check System; and
‘‘(C) work with States to encourage the development of computer systems, which would permit
electronic notification to the Attorney General
when—
‘‘(i) a court order has been issued, lifted, or
otherwise removed by order of the court; or
‘‘(ii) a person has been adjudicated as a mental
defective or committed to a mental institution.
‘‘(c) STANDARD FOR ADJUDICATIONS AND COMMITMENTS
RELATED TO MENTAL HEALTH.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—No department or agency of the
Federal Government may provide to the Attorney

§ 922

General any record of an adjudication related to the
mental health of a person or any commitment of a
person to a mental institution if—
‘‘(A) the adjudication or commitment, respectively, has been set aside or expunged, or the person
has otherwise been fully released or discharged
from all mandatory treatment, supervision, or
monitoring;
‘‘(B) the person has been found by a court, board,
commission, or other lawful authority to no longer
suffer from the mental health condition that was
the basis of the adjudication or commitment, respectively, or has otherwise been found to be rehabilitated through any procedure available under
law; or
‘‘(C) the adjudication or commitment, respectively, is based solely on a medical finding of disability, without an opportunity for a hearing by a
court, board, commission, or other lawful authority, and the person has not been adjudicated as a
mental defective consistent with section 922(g)(4) of
title 18, United States Code, except that nothing in
this section or any other provision of law shall prevent a Federal department or agency from providing to the Attorney General any record demonstrating that a person was adjudicated to be not
guilty by reason of insanity, or based on lack of
mental responsibility, or found incompetent to
stand trial, in any criminal case or under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
‘‘(2) TREATMENT OF CERTAIN ADJUDICATIONS AND COMMITMENTS.—
‘‘(A) PROGRAM FOR RELIEF FROM DISABILITIES.—
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—Each department or agency of
the United States that makes any adjudication
related to the mental health of a person or imposes any commitment to a mental institution,
as described in subsection (d)(4) and (g)(4) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, shall establish, not later than 120 days after the date of
enactment of this Act [Jan. 8, 2008], a program
that permits such a person to apply for relief
from the disabilities imposed by such subsections.
‘‘(ii) PROCESS.—Each application for relief submitted under the program required by this subparagraph shall be processed not later than 365
days after the receipt of the application. If a Federal department or agency fails to resolve an application for relief within 365 days for any reason,
including a lack of appropriated funds, the department or agency shall be deemed for all purposes to have denied such request for relief without cause. Judicial review of any petitions
brought under this clause shall be de novo.
‘‘(iii) JUDICIAL REVIEW.—Relief and judicial review with respect to the program required by this
subparagraph shall be available according to the
standards prescribed in section 925(c) of title 18,
United States Code. If the denial of a petition for
relief has been reversed after such judicial review,
the court shall award the prevailing party, other
than the United States, a reasonable attorney’s
fee for any and all proceedings in relation to attaining such relief, and the United States shall be
liable for such fee. Such fee shall be based upon
the prevailing rates awarded to public interest
legal aid organizations in the relevant community.
‘‘(B) RELIEF FROM DISABILITIES.—In the case of an
adjudication related to the mental health of a person or a commitment of a person to a mental institution, a record of which may not be provided to
the Attorney General under paragraph (1), including because of the absence of a finding described in
subparagraph (C) of such paragraph, or from which
a person has been granted relief under a program
established under subparagraph (A) or (B), or because of a removal of a record under section
103(e)(1)(D) of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act [Pub. L. 103–159, set out below], the adju-

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

dication or commitment, respectively, shall be
deemed not to have occurred for purposes of subsections (d)(4) and (g)(4) of section 922 of title 18,
United States Code. Any Federal agency that
grants a person relief from disabilities under this
subparagraph shall notify such person that the person is no longer prohibited under 922(d)(4) or
922(g)(4) of title 18, United States Code, on account
of the relieved disability for which relief was granted pursuant to a proceeding conducted under this
subparagraph, with respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms.
‘‘(3) NOTICE REQUIREMENT.—Effective 30 days after
the date of enactment of this Act, any Federal department or agency that conducts proceedings to adjudicate a person as a mental defective under 922(d)(4)
or 922(g)(4) of title 18, United States Code, shall provide both oral and written notice to the individual at
the commencement of the adjudication process including—
‘‘(A) notice that should the agency adjudicate the
person as a mental defective, or should the person
be committed to a mental institution, such adjudication, when final, or such commitment, will prohibit the individual from purchasing, possessing, receiving, shipping or transporting a firearm or ammunition under section 922(d)(4) or section 922(g)(4)
of title 18, United States Code;
‘‘(B) information about the penalties imposed for
unlawful possession, receipt, shipment or transportation of a firearm under section 924(a)(2) of title 18,
United States Code; and
‘‘(C) information about the availability of relief
from the disabilities imposed by Federal laws with
respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms.
‘‘(4) EFFECTIVE DATE.—Except for paragraph (3), this
subsection shall apply to names and other information provided before, on, or after the date of enactment of this Act. Any name or information provided
in violation of this subsection (other than in violation of paragraph (3)) before, on, or after such date
shall be removed from the National Instant Criminal
Background Check System.
‘‘SEC. 102. REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN WAIVER.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Beginning 3 years after the date of
the enactment of this Act [Jan. 8, 2008], a State shall
be eligible to receive a waiver of the 10 percent matching requirement for National Criminal History Improvement Grants under the Crime Identification Technology Act of 1988 [1998] (42 U.S.C. 14601 [et seq.]) if the
State provides at least 90 percent of the information
described in subsection (c). The length of such a waiver
shall not exceed 2 years.
‘‘(b) STATE ESTIMATES.—
‘‘(1) INITIAL STATE ESTIMATE.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—To assist the Attorney General
in making a determination under subsection (a) of
this section, and under section 104, concerning the
compliance of the States in providing information
to the Attorney General for the purpose of receiving a waiver under subsection (a) of this section, or
facing a loss of funds under section 104, by a date
not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act [Jan. 8, 2008], each State shall provide the Attorney General with a reasonable estimate, as calculated by a method determined by the
Attorney General and in accordance with section
104(d), of the number of the records described in
subparagraph (C) applicable to such State that concern persons who are prohibited from possessing or
receiving a firearm under subsection (g) or (n) of
section 922 of title 18, United States Code.
‘‘(B) FAILURE TO PROVIDE INITIAL ESTIMATE.—A
State that fails to provide an estimate described in
subparagraph (A) by the date required under such
subparagraph shall be ineligible to receive any
funds under section 103, until such date as it provides such estimate to the Attorney General.

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‘‘(C) RECORD DEFINED.—For purposes of subparagraph (A), a record is the following:
‘‘(i) A record that identifies a person who has
been convicted in any court of a crime punishable
by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1 year.
‘‘(ii) A record that identifies a person for whom
an indictment has been returned for a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding 1
year that is valid under the laws of the State involved or who is a fugitive from justice, as of the
date of the estimate, and for which a record of
final disposition is not available.
‘‘(iii) A record that identifies a person who is an
unlawful user of, or addicted to a controlled substance (as such terms ‘unlawful user’ and ‘addicted’ are respectively defined in regulations implementing section 922(g)(3) of title 18, United
States Code, as in effect on the date of the enactment of this Act) as demonstrated by arrests,
convictions, and adjudications, and whose record
is not protected from disclosure to the Attorney
General under any provision of State or Federal
law.
‘‘(iv) A record that identifies a person who has
been adjudicated as a mental defective or committed to a mental institution, consistent with
section 922(g)(4) of title 18, United States Code,
and whose record is not protected from disclosure
to the Attorney General under any provision of
State or Federal law.
‘‘(v) A record that is electronically available
and that identifies a person who, as of the date of
such estimate, is subject to a court order described in section 922(g)(8) of title 18, United
States Code.
‘‘(vi) A record that is electronically available
and that identifies a person convicted in any
court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, as defined in section 921(a)(33) of title 18,
United States Code.
‘‘(2) SCOPE.—The Attorney General, in determining
the compliance of a State under this section or section 104 for the purpose of granting a waiver or imposing a loss of Federal funds, shall assess the total
percentage of records provided by the State concerning any event occurring within the prior 20 years,
which would disqualify a person from possessing a
firearm under subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of
title 18, United States Code.
‘‘(3) CLARIFICATION.—Notwithstanding paragraph
(2), States shall endeavor to provide the National Instant Criminal Background Check System with all
records concerning persons who are prohibited from
possessing or receiving a firearm under subsection (g)
or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, regardless of the elapsed time since the disqualifying
event.
‘‘(c) ELIGIBILITY OF STATE RECORDS FOR SUBMISSION
TO THE NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK
SYSTEM.—
‘‘(1) REQUIREMENTS FOR ELIGIBILITY.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—From the information collected by a State, the State shall make electronically available to the Attorney General records relevant to a determination of whether a person is disqualified from possessing or receiving a firearm
under subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18,
United States Code, or applicable State law.
‘‘(B) NICS UPDATES.—The State, on being made
aware that the basis under which a record was made
available under subparagraph (A) does not apply, or
no longer applies, shall, as soon as practicable—
‘‘(i) update, correct, modify, or remove the
record from any database that the Federal or
State government maintains and makes available
to the National Instant Criminal Background
Check System, consistent with the rules pertaining to that database; and
‘‘(ii) notify the Attorney General that such
basis no longer applies so that the record system

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in which the record is maintained is kept up to
date.
The Attorney General upon receiving notice pursuant to clause (ii) shall ensure that the record in the
National Instant Criminal Background Check System is updated, corrected, modified, or removed
within 30 days of receipt.
‘‘(C) CERTIFICATION.—To remain eligible for a
waiver under subsection (a), a State shall certify to
the Attorney General, not less than once during
each 2-year period, that at least 90 percent of all
records described in subparagraph (A) has been
made electronically available to the Attorney General in accordance with subparagraph (A).
‘‘(D) INCLUSION OF ALL RECORDS.—For purposes of
this paragraph, a State shall identify and include
all of the records described under subparagraph (A)
without regard to the age of the record.
‘‘(2) APPLICATION TO PERSONS CONVICTED OF MISDEMEANOR CRIMES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.—The State
shall make available to the Attorney General, for use
by the National Instant Criminal Background Check
System, records relevant to a determination of
whether a person has been convicted in any court of
a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. With respect to records relating to such crimes, the State
shall provide information specifically describing the
offense and the specific section or subsection of the
offense for which the defendant has been convicted
and the relationship of the defendant to the victim in
each case.
‘‘(3) APPLICATION TO PERSONS WHO HAVE BEEN ADJUDICATED AS A MENTAL DEFECTIVE OR COMMITTED TO A
MENTAL INSTITUTION.—The State shall make available

to the Attorney General, for use by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, the name
and other relevant identifying information of persons
adjudicated as a mental defective or those committed
to mental institutions to assist the Attorney General
in enforcing section 922(g)(4) of title 18, United States
Code.
‘‘(d) PRIVACY PROTECTIONS.—For any information provided to the Attorney General for use by the National
Instant Criminal Background Check System, relating
to persons prohibited from possessing or receiving a
firearm under section 922(g)(4) of title 18, United States
Code, the Attorney General shall work with States and
local law enforcement and the mental health community to establish regulations and protocols for protecting the privacy of information provided to the system.
The Attorney General shall make every effort to meet
with any mental health group seeking to express its
views concerning these regulations and protocols and
shall seek to develop regulations as expeditiously as
practicable.
‘‘(e) ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT.—Not later than
January 31 of each year, the Attorney General shall
submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House
of Representatives a report on the progress of States in
automating the databases containing the information
described in subsection (b) and in making that information electronically available to the Attorney General
pursuant to the requirements of subsection (c).
‘‘SEC. 103. IMPLEMENTATION ASSISTANCE TO
STATES.
‘‘(a) AUTHORIZATION.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—From amounts made available to
carry out this section and subject to section
102(b)(1)(B), the Attorney General shall make grants
to States and Indian tribal governments, in a manner
consistent with the National Criminal History Improvement Program, which shall be used by the
States and Indian tribal governments, in conjunction
with units of local government and State and local
courts, to establish or upgrade information and identification technologies for firearms eligibility determinations. Not less than 3 percent, and no more than
10 percent of each grant under this paragraph shall be

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used to maintain the relief from disabilities program
in accordance with section 105.
‘‘(2) GRANTS TO INDIAN TRIBES.—Up to 5 percent of
the grant funding available under this section may be
reserved for Indian tribal governments, including
tribal judicial systems.
‘‘(b) USE OF GRANT AMOUNTS.—Grants awarded to
States or Indian tribes under this section may only be
used to—
‘‘(1) create electronic systems, which provide accurate and up-to-date information which is directly related to checks under the National Instant Criminal
Background Check System (referred to in this section
as ‘NICS’), including court disposition and corrections records;
‘‘(2) assist States in establishing or enhancing their
own capacities to perform NICS background checks;
‘‘(3) supply accurate and timely information to the
Attorney General concerning final dispositions of
criminal records to databases accessed by NICS;
‘‘(4) supply accurate and timely information to the
Attorney General concerning the identity of persons
who are prohibited from obtaining a firearm under
section 922(g)(4) of title 18, United States Code, to be
used by the Federal Bureau of Investigation solely to
conduct NICS background checks;
‘‘(5) supply accurate and timely court orders and
records of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence
for inclusion in Federal and State law enforcement
databases used to conduct NICS background checks;
‘‘(6) collect and analyze data needed to demonstrate
levels of State compliance with this Act; and
‘‘(7) maintain the relief from disabilities program
in accordance with section 105, but not less than 3
percent, and no more than 10 percent of each grant
shall be used for this purpose.
‘‘(c) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible for a grant under
this section, a State shall certify, to the satisfaction of
the Attorney General, that the State has implemented
a relief from disabilities program in accordance with
section 105.
‘‘(d) CONDITION.—As a condition of receiving a grant
under this section, a State shall specify the projects for
which grant amounts will be used, and shall use such
amounts only as specified. A State that violates this
subsection shall be liable to the Attorney General for
the full amount of the grant received under this section.
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $125,000,000 for fiscal
year 2009, $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $250,000,000
for fiscal year 2011, $125,000,000 for fiscal year 2012,
and $125,000,000 for fiscal year 2013.
‘‘(2) ALLOCATIONS.—For fiscal years 2009 and 2010,
the Attorney General shall endeavor to allocate at
least 1⁄2 of the authorized appropriations to those
States providing more than 50 percent of the records
required to be provided under sections 102 and 103.
For fiscal years 2011, 2012, and 2013, the Attorney General shall endeavor to allocate at least 1⁄2 of the authorized appropriations to those States providing
more than 70 percent of the records required to be
provided under section 102 and 103. The allocations in
this paragraph shall be subject to the discretion of
the Attorney General, who shall have the authority
to make adjustments to the distribution of the authorized appropriations as necessary to maximize incentives for State compliance.
‘‘(f) USER FEE.—The Federal Bureau of Investigation
shall not charge a user fee for background checks pursuant to section 922(t) of title 18, United States Code.
‘‘SEC. 104. PENALTIES FOR NONCOMPLIANCE.
‘‘(a) ATTORNEY GENERAL REPORT.—
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Not later than January 31 of each
year, the Attorney General shall submit to the Committee on the Judiciary of the Senate and the Committee on the Judiciary of the House of Representatives a report on the progress of the States in auto-

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

mating the databases containing information described under sections 102 and 103, and in providing
that information pursuant to the requirements of
sections 102 and 103.
‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Department of
Justice, such funds as may be necessary to carry out
paragraph (1).
‘‘(b) PENALTIES.—
‘‘(1) DISCRETIONARY REDUCTION.—
‘‘(A) During the 2-year period beginning 3 years
after the date of enactment of this Act [Jan. 8,
2008], the Attorney General may withhold not more
than 3 percent of the amount that would otherwise
be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42
U.S.C. 3755) if the State provides less than 50 percent of the records required to be provided under
sections 102 and 103.
‘‘(B) During the 5-year period after the expiration
of the period referred to in subparagraph (A), the
Attorney General may withhold not more than 4
percent of the amount that would otherwise be allocated to a State under section 505 of the Omnibus
Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (42
U.S.C. 3755) if the State provides less than 70 percent of the records required to be provided under
sections 102 and 103.
‘‘(2) MANDATORY REDUCTION.—After the expiration
of the periods referred to in paragraph (1), the Attorney General shall withhold 5 percent of the amount
that would otherwise be allocated to a State under
section 505 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe
Streets Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C. 3755), if the State provides less than 90 percent of the records required to
be provided under sections 102 and 103.
‘‘(3) WAIVER BY ATTORNEY GENERAL.—The Attorney
General may waive the applicability of paragraph (2)
to a State if the State provides substantial evidence,
as determined by the Attorney General, that the
State is making a reasonable effort to comply with
the requirements of sections 102 and 103, including an
inability to comply due to court order or other legal
restriction.
‘‘(c) REALLOCATION.—Any funds that are not allocated
to a State because of the failure of the State to comply
with the requirements of this Act shall be reallocated
to States that meet such requirements.
‘‘(d) METHODOLOGY.—The method established to calculate the number of records to be reported, as set
forth in section 102(b)(1)(A), and State compliance with
the required level of reporting under sections 102 and
103 shall be determined by the Attorney General. The
Attorney General shall calculate the methodology
based on the total number of records to be reported
from all subcategories of records, as described in section 102(b)(1)(C).
‘‘SEC. 105. RELIEF FROM DISABILITIES PROGRAM
REQUIRED AS CONDITION FOR PARTICIPATION
IN GRANT PROGRAMS.
‘‘(a) PROGRAM DESCRIBED.—A relief from disabilities
program is implemented by a State in accordance with
this section if the program—
‘‘(1) permits a person who, pursuant to State law,
has been adjudicated as described in subsection (g)(4)
of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, or has
been committed to a mental institution, to apply to
the State for relief from the disabilities imposed by
subsections (d)(4) and (g)(4) of such section by reason
of the adjudication or commitment;
‘‘(2) provides that a State court, board, commission,
or other lawful authority shall grant the relief, pursuant to State law and in accordance with the principles of due process, if the circumstances regarding
the disabilities referred to in paragraph (1), and the
person’s record and reputation, are such that the person 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; and

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‘‘(3) permits a person whose application for the relief is denied to file a petition with the State court
of appropriate jurisdiction for a de novo judicial review of the denial.
‘‘(b) AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE RELIEF FROM CERTAIN
DISABILITIES WITH RESPECT TO FIREARMS.—If, under a
State relief from disabilities program implemented in
accordance with this section, an application for relief
referred to in subsection (a)(1) of this section is granted
with respect to an adjudication or a commitment to a
mental institution or based upon a removal of a record
under section 102(c)(1)(B), the adjudication or commitment, as the case may be, is deemed not to have occurred for purposes of subsections (d)(4) and (g)(4) of
section 922 of title 18, United States Code.
‘‘SEC. 106. ILLEGAL IMMIGRANT GUN PURCHASE
NOTIFICATION.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other provision of law or of this Act, all records obtained by the
National Instant Criminal Background Check system
relevant to whether an individual is prohibited from
possessing a firearm because such person is an alien illegally or unlawfully in the United States shall be
made available to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
‘‘(b) REGULATIONS.—The Attorney General, at his or
her discretion, shall promulgate guidelines relevant to
what records relevant to illegal aliens shall be provided
pursuant to the provisions of this Act.
‘‘TITLE II—FOCUSING FEDERAL ASSISTANCE ON
THE IMPROVEMENT OF RELEVANT RECORDS
‘‘SEC. 201. CONTINUING EVALUATIONS.
‘‘(a) EVALUATION REQUIRED.—The Director of the Bureau of Justice Statistics (referred to in this section as
the ‘Director’) shall study and evaluate the operations
of the National Instant Criminal Background Check
System. Such study and evaluation shall include compilations and analyses of the operations and record systems of the agencies and organizations necessary to
support such System.
‘‘(b) REPORT ON GRANTS.—Not later than January 31
of each year, the Director shall submit to Congress a
report containing the estimates submitted by the
States under section 102(b).
‘‘(c) REPORT ON BEST PRACTICES.—Not later than January 31 of each year, the Director shall submit to Congress, and to each State participating in the National
Criminal History Improvement Program, a report of
the practices of the States regarding the collection,
maintenance, automation, and transmittal of information relevant to determining whether a person is prohibited from possessing or receiving a firearm by Federal or State law, by the State or any other agency, or
any other records relevant to the National Instant
Criminal Background Check System, that the Director
considers to be best practices.
‘‘(d) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary for each of the fiscal years 2009 through 2013 to
complete the studies, evaluations, and reports required
under this section.
‘‘TITLE III—GRANTS TO STATE COURT SYSTEMS
FOR THE IMPROVEMENT IN AUTOMATION AND
TRANSMITTAL OF DISPOSITION RECORDS
‘‘SEC. 301. DISPOSITION RECORDS AUTOMATION
AND TRANSMITTAL IMPROVEMENT GRANTS.
‘‘(a) GRANTS AUTHORIZED.—From amounts made
available to carry out this section, the Attorney General shall make grants to each State, consistent with
State plans for the integration, automation, and accessibility of criminal history records, for use by the State
court system to improve the automation and transmittal of criminal history dispositions, records relevant to
determining whether a person has been convicted of a
misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, court orders,
and mental health adjudications or commitments, to

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Federal and State record repositories in accordance
with sections 102 and 103 and the National Criminal
History Improvement Program.
‘‘(b) GRANTS TO INDIAN TRIBES.—Up to 5 percent of the
grant funding available under this section may be reserved for Indian tribal governments for use by Indian
tribal judicial systems.
‘‘(c) USE OF FUNDS.—Amounts granted under this section shall be used by the State court system only—
‘‘(1) to carry out, as necessary, assessments of the
capabilities of the courts of the State for the automation and transmission of arrest and conviction
records, court orders, and mental health adjudications or commitments to Federal and State record repositories; and
‘‘(2) to implement policies, systems, and procedures
for the automation and transmission of arrest and
conviction records, court orders, and mental health
adjudications or commitments to Federal and State
record repositories.
‘‘(d) ELIGIBILITY.—To be eligible to receive a grant
under this section, a State shall certify, to the satisfaction of the Attorney General, that the State has implemented a relief from disabilities program in accordance
with section 105.
‘‘(e) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated to the Attorney General
to carry out this section $62,500,000 for fiscal year 2009,
$125,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $125,000,000 for fiscal
year 2011, $62,500,000 for fiscal year 2012, and $62,500,000
for fiscal year 2013.
‘‘TITLE IV—GAO AUDIT
‘‘SEC. 401. GAO AUDIT.
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Comptroller General of the
United States shall conduct an audit of the expenditure
of all funds appropriated for criminal records improvement pursuant to section 106(b) of the Brady Handgun
Violence Prevention Act (Public Law 103–159) [set out
below] to determine if the funds were expended for the
purposes authorized by the Act and how those funds
were expended for those purposes or were otherwise expended.
‘‘(b) REPORT.—Not later than 6 months after the date
of enactment of this Act [Jan. 8, 2008], the Comptroller
General shall submit a report to Congress describing
the findings of the audit conducted pursuant to subsection (a).’’
Pub. L. 103–159, title I, § 103, Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat.
1541, as amended by Pub. L. 103–322, title XXI,
§ 210603(b), Sept. 13, 1994, 103 Stat. 2074; Pub. L. 104–294,
title VI, § 603(h), (i)(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3504; Pub.
L. 110–180, title I, § 101(a), Jan. 8, 2008, 121 Stat. 2561,
provided that:
‘‘(a) DETERMINATION OF TIMETABLES.—Not later than 6
months after the date of enactment of this Act [Nov.
30, 1993], the Attorney General shall—
‘‘(1) determine the type of computer hardware and
software that will be used to operate the national instant criminal background check system and the
means by which State criminal records systems and
the telephone or electronic device of licensees will
communicate with the national system;
‘‘(2) investigate the criminal records system of each
State and determine for each State a timetable by
which the State should be able to provide criminal
records on an on-line capacity basis to the national
system; and
‘‘(3) notify each State of the determinations made
pursuant to paragraphs (1) and (2).
‘‘(b) ESTABLISHMENT OF SYSTEM.—Not later than 60
months after the date of the enactment of this Act
[Nov. 30, 1993], the Attorney General shall establish a
national instant criminal background check system
that any licensee may contact, by telephone or by
other electronic means in addition to the telephone, for
information, to be supplied immediately, on whether
receipt of a firearm by a prospective transferee would
violate section 922 of title 18, United States Code, or
State law.

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‘‘(c) EXPEDITED ACTION BY THE ATTORNEY GENERAL.—
The Attorney General shall expedite—
‘‘(1) the upgrading and indexing of State criminal
history records in the Federal criminal records system maintained by the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
‘‘(2) the development of hardware and software systems to link State criminal history check systems
into the national instant criminal background check
system established by the Attorney General pursuant
to this section; and
‘‘(3) the current revitalization initiatives by the
Federal Bureau of Investigation for technologically
advanced fingerprint and criminal records identification.
‘‘(d) NOTIFICATION OF LICENSEES.—On establishment
of the system under this section, the Attorney General
shall notify each licensee and the chief law enforcement officer of each State of the existence and purpose
of the system and the means to be used to contact the
system.
‘‘(e) ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS.—
‘‘(1) AUTHORITY TO OBTAIN OFFICIAL INFORMATION.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other
law, the Attorney General may secure directly from
any department or agency of the United States
such information on persons for whom receipt of a
firearm would violate subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, or State
law, as is necessary to enable the system to operate
in accordance with this section.
‘‘(B) REQUEST OF ATTORNEY GENERAL.—On request
of the Attorney General, the head of such department or agency shall furnish electronic versions of
the information described under subparagraph (A)
to the system.
‘‘(C) QUARTERLY SUBMISSION TO ATTORNEY GENERAL.—If a Federal department or agency under
subparagraph (A) has any record of any person demonstrating that the person falls within one of the
categories described in subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United States Code, the head of
such department or agency shall, not less frequently than quarterly, provide the pertinent information contained in such record to the Attorney
General.
‘‘(D) INFORMATION UPDATES.—The Federal department or agency, on being made aware that the basis
under which a record was made available under subparagraph (A) does not apply, or no longer applies,
shall—
‘‘(i) update, correct, modify, or remove the
record from any database that the agency maintains and makes available to the Attorney General, in accordance with the rules pertaining to
that database; and
‘‘(ii) notify the Attorney General that such
basis no longer applies so that the National Instant Criminal Background Check System is kept
up to date.
The Attorney General upon receiving notice pursuant to clause (ii) shall ensure that the record in the
National Instant Criminal Background Check System is updated, corrected, modified, or removed
within 30 days of receipt.
‘‘(E) ANNUAL REPORT.—The Attorney General
shall submit an annual report to Congress that describes the compliance of each department or agency with the provisions of this paragraph.
‘‘(2) OTHER AUTHORITY.—The Attorney General shall
develop such computer software, design and obtain
such telecommunications and computer hardware,
and employ such personnel, as are necessary to establish and operate the system in accordance with this
section.
‘‘(f) WRITTEN REASONS PROVIDED ON REQUEST.—If the
national instant criminal background check system determines that an individual is ineligible to receive a
firearm and the individual requests the system to provide the reasons for the determination, the system

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

shall provide such reasons to the individual, in writing,
within 5 business days after the date of the request.
‘‘(g) CORRECTION OF ERRONEOUS SYSTEM INFORMATION.—If the system established under this section informs an individual contacting the system that receipt
of a firearm by a prospective transferee would violate
subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of title 18, United
States Code, or State law, the prospective transferee
may request the Attorney General to provide the prospective transferee with the reasons therefor. Upon receipt of such a request, the Attorney General shall immediately comply with the request. The prospective
transferee may submit to the Attorney General information to correct, clarify, or supplement records of the
system with respect to the prospective transferee.
After receipt of such information, the Attorney General shall immediately consider the information, investigate the matter further, and correct all erroneous
Federal records relating to the prospective transferee
and give notice of the error to any Federal department
or agency or any State that was the source of such erroneous records.
‘‘(h) REGULATIONS.—After 90 days’ notice to the public and an opportunity for hearing by interested parties, the Attorney General shall prescribe regulations
to ensure the privacy and security of the information
of the system established under this section.
‘‘(i) PROHIBITION RELATING TO ESTABLISHMENT OF
REGISTRATION SYSTEMS WITH RESPECT TO FIREARMS.—
No department, agency, officer, or employee of the
United States may—
‘‘(1) require that any record or portion thereof generated by the system established under this section
be recorded at or transferred to a facility owned,
managed, or controlled by the United States or any
State or political subdivision thereof; or
‘‘(2) use the system established under this section
to establish any system for the registration of firearms, firearm owners, or firearm transactions or dispositions, except with respect to persons, prohibited
by section 922(g) or (n) of title 18, United States Code,
or State law, from receiving a firearm.
‘‘(j) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section:
‘‘(1) LICENSEE.—The term ‘licensee’ means a licensed importer (as defined in section 921(a)(9) of title
18, United States Code), a licensed manufacturer (as
defined in section 921(a)(10) of that title), or a licensed dealer (as defined in section 921(a)(11) of that
title).
‘‘(2) OTHER TERMS.—The terms ‘firearm’, ‘handgun’,
‘licensed importer’, ‘licensed manufacturer’, and ‘licensed dealer’ have the meanings stated in section
921(a) of title 18, United States Code, as amended by
subsection (a)(2).
‘‘(k) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to enable the Attorney General to carry out this
section.’’
FUNDING FOR IMPROVEMENT OF CRIMINAL RECORDS
Section 106(b) of Pub. L. 103–159, as amended by Pub.
L. 103–322, title XXI, § 210603(b), Sept. 13, 1994, 103 Stat.
2074; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 603(i)(1), Oct. 11, 1996, 110
Stat. 3504, provided that:
‘‘(1) GRANTS FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF CRIMINAL
RECORDS.—The Attorney General, through the Bureau
of Justice Statistics, shall, subject to appropriations
and with preference to States that as of the date of enactment of this Act [Nov. 30, 1993] have the lowest percent currency of case dispositions in computerized
criminal history files, make a grant to each State to be
used—
‘‘(A) for the creation of a computerized criminal
history record system or improvement of an existing
system;
‘‘(B) to improve accessibility to the national instant criminal background system; and
‘‘(C) upon establishment of the national system, to
assist the State in the transmittal of criminal
records to the national system.

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‘‘(2) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There are
authorized to be appropriated for grants under paragraph (1) a total of $200,000,000 for fiscal year 1994 and
all fiscal years thereafter.’’
GUN-FREE ZONE SIGNS
Section 1702(b)(5) of Pub. L. 101–647 provided that:
‘‘Federal, State, and local authorities are encouraged
to cause signs to be posted around school zones giving
warning of prohibition of the possession of firearms in
a school zone.’’
IDENTIFICATION OF FELONS AND OTHER PERSONS
INELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE HANDGUNS
Section 6213 of Pub. L. 100–690 provided that:
‘‘(a) IDENTIFICATION OF FELONS INELIGIBLE TO PURCHASE HANDGUNS.—The Attorney General shall develop
a system for immediate and accurate identification of
felons who attempt to purchase 1 or more firearms but
are ineligible to purchase firearms by reason of section
922(g)(1) of title 18, United States Code. The system
shall be accessible to dealers but only for the purpose
of determining whether a potential purchaser is a convicted felon. The Attorney General shall establish a
plan (including a cost analysis of the proposed system)
for implementation of the system. In developing the
system, the Attorney General shall consult with the
Secretary of the Treasury, other Federal, State, and
local law enforcement officials with expertise in the
area, and other experts. The Attorney General shall
begin implementation of the system 30 days after the
report to the Congress as provided in subsection (b).
‘‘(b) REPORT TO CONGRESS.—Not later than 1 year
after the date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 18,
1988], the Attorney General shall report to the Congress
a description of the system referred to in subsection (a)
and a plan (including a cost analysis of the proposed
system) for implementation of the system. Such report
may include, if appropriate, recommendations for
modifications of the system and legislation necessary
in order to fully implement such system.
‘‘(c) ADDITIONAL STUDY OF OTHER PERSONS INELIGIBLE
TO PURCHASE FIREARMS.—The Attorney General in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury shall conduct a study to determine if an effective method for
immediate and accurate identification of other persons
who attempt to purchase 1 or more firearms but are ineligible to purchase firearms by reason of section 922(g)
of title 18, United States Code. In conducting the study,
the Attorney General shall consult with the Secretary
of the Treasury, other Federal, State, and local law enforcement officials with expertise in the area, and
other experts. Such study shall be completed within 18
months after the date of the enactment of this Act
[Nov. 18, 1988] and shall be submitted to the Congress
and made available to the public. Such study may include, if appropriate, recommendations for legislation.
‘‘(d) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the terms
‘firearm’ and ‘dealer’ shall have the meanings given
such terms in section 921(a) of title 18, United States
Code.’’
STUDIES TO IDENTIFY EQUIPMENT CAPABLE OF DISTINGUISHING SECURITY EXEMPLAR FROM OTHER METAL
OBJECTS LIKELY TO BE CARRIED ON ONE’S PERSON
Section 2(e) of Pub. L. 100–649 provided that: ‘‘The Attorney General, the Secretary of the Treasury, and the
Secretary of Transportation shall each conduct studies
to identify available state-of-the-art equipment capable of detecting the Security Exemplar (as defined in
section 922(p)(2)(C) of title 18, United States Code) and
distinguishing the Security Exemplar from innocuous
metal objects likely to be carried on one’s person. Such
studies shall be completed within 6 months after the
date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 10, 1988] and
shall include a schedule providing for the installation
of such equipment at the earliest practicable time at
security checkpoints maintained or regulated by the
agency conducting the study. Such equipment shall be

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

installed in accordance with each schedule. In addition,
such studies may include recommendations, where appropriate, concerning the use of secondary security
equipment and procedures to enhance detection capability at security checkpoints.’’

§ 923. Licensing
(a) No person shall engage in the business of
importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms, or importing or manufacturing ammunition, until he has filed an application with and
received a license to do so from the Attorney
General. The application shall be in such form
and contain only that information necessary to
determine eligibility for licensing as the Attorney General shall by regulation prescribe and
shall include a photograph and fingerprints of
the applicant. Each applicant shall pay a fee for
obtaining 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, ammunition for
destructive devices or armor piercing ammunition, a fee of $1,000 per year;
(B) of firearms other than destructive devices, a fee of $50 per year; or
(C) of ammunition for firearms, other than
ammunition for destructive devices or armor
piercing ammunition, a fee of $10 per year.
(2) If the applicant is an importer—
(A) of destructive devices, ammunition for
destructive devices or armor piercing ammunition, a fee of $1,000 per year; or
(B) of firearms other than destructive devices or ammunition for firearms other than
destructive devices, or ammunition other than
armor piercing ammunition, 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; or
(B) who is not a dealer in destructive devices, a fee of $200 for 3 years, except that the
fee for renewal of a valid license shall be $90
for 3 years.
(b) Any person desiring to be licensed as a collector shall file an application for such license
with the Attorney General. The application
shall be in such form and contain only that information necessary to determine eligibility as
the Attorney General 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 proper application and
payment of the prescribed fee, the Attorney
General 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 transport, ship, and receive firearms and ammunition
covered by such license in interstate or foreign
commerce during the period stated in the license. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer from maintaining and disposing
of a personal collection of firearms, subject only
to such restrictions as apply in this chapter to

§ 923

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 licensees by this chapter,
then such firearm shall be deemed part of such
licensee’s business inventory, except that any licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer who
has maintained a firearm as part of a personal
collection for one year and who sells or otherwise disposes of such firearm shall record the description of the firearm in a bound volume, containing the name and place of residence and date
of birth of the transferee if the transferee is an
individual, or the identity and principal and
local places of business of the transferee if the
transferee is a corporation or other business entity: Provided, That no other recordkeeping shall
be required.
(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 management and policies of the corporation, partnership, or association) is not prohibited from transporting, shipping, or receiving firearms or ammunition in interstate or
foreign commerce under section 922(g) and (n)
of this chapter;
(C) the applicant has not willfully violated
any of the provisions 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 statement as to any
material fact, in connection with his application;
(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;
(F) the applicant certifies that—
(i) the business to be conducted under the
license is not prohibited by State or local
law in the place where the licensed premise
is located;
(ii)(I) within 30 days after the application
is approved the business will comply with
the requirements of State and local law applicable to the conduct of the business; and
(II) the business will not be conducted
under the license until the requirements of
State and local law applicable to the business have been met; and
(iii) that the applicant has sent or delivered a form to be prescribed by the Attorney
General, to the chief law enforcement officer
of the locality in which the premises are lo-

§ 923

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

cated, which indicates that the applicant intends to apply for a Federal firearms license;
and
(G) in the case of an application to be licensed as a dealer, the applicant certifies that
secure gun storage or safety devices will be
available at any place in which firearms are
sold under the license to persons who are not
licensees (subject to the exception that in any
case in which a secure gun storage or safety
device is temporarily unavailable because of
theft, casualty loss, consumer sales, backorders from a manufacturer, or any other
similar reason beyond the control of the licensee, the dealer shall not be considered to be
in violation of the requirement under this subparagraph to make available such a device).
(2) The Attorney General must approve or
deny an application for a license within the 60day period beginning on the date it is received.
If the Attorney General fails to act within such
period, the applicant may file an action under
section 1361 of title 28 to compel the Attorney
General to act. If the Attorney General approves
an applicant’s application, such applicant shall
be issued a license upon the payment of the prescribed fee.
(e) The Attorney General may, after notice
and opportunity for hearing, revoke any license
issued under this section if the holder of such license has willfully violated any provision of this
chapter or any rule or regulation prescribed by
the Attorney General under this chapter or fails
to have secure gun storage or safety devices
available at any place in which firearms are sold
under the license to persons who are not licensees (except that in any case in which a secure gun storage or safety device is temporarily
unavailable because of theft, casualty loss, consumer sales, backorders from a manufacturer, or
any other similar reason beyond the control of
the licensee, the dealer shall not be considered
to be in violation of the requirement to make
available such a device). The Attorney General
may, after notice and opportunity for hearing,
revoke the license of a dealer who willfully
transfers armor piercing ammunition. The Secretary’s 1 action under this subsection may be
reviewed only as provided in subsection (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 Attorney General 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.
(2) If the Attorney General denies an application for, or revokes, a license, 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 Attorney General shall upon the request 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.
1 So

in original. Probably should be ‘‘Attorney General’s’’.

Page 230

(3) If after a hearing held under paragraph (2)
the Attorney General decides not to reverse his
decision to deny an application or revoke a license, the Attorney General 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 de novo
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 whether or not
such evidence was considered at the hearing
held under paragraph (2). If the court decides
that the Attorney General was not authorized to
deny the application or to revoke the license,
the court shall order the Attorney General to
take such action as may be necessary to comply
with the judgment of the court.
(4) If criminal proceedings are instituted
against a licensee alleging 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 Attorney General 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
instituted by the Attorney General more than
one year after the filing of the indictment or information.
(g)(1)(A) Each licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, and licensed dealer shall maintain
such records of importation, production, shipment, receipt, sale, or other disposition of firearms at his place of business for such period, and
in such form, as the Attorney General may by
regulations prescribe. Such importers, manufacturers, and dealers shall not be required to submit to the Attorney General reports and information with respect to such records and the contents thereof, except as expressly required by
this section. The Attorney General, 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 judge and securing from such magistrate
judge a warrant authorizing entry, enter during
business hours the premises (including places of
storage) of any licensed firearms importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed 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 Attorney General may inspect or examine the inventory and records of a licensed

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

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 requirements of this chapter—
(I) not more than once during any 12month period; or
(II) at any time with respect to records relating to a firearm involved in a criminal investigation that is traced to the licensee; or
(iii) 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.
(C) The Attorney General may inspect the inventory and records of a licensed collector without such reasonable cause or warrant—
(i) for ensuring compliance with the record
keeping requirements 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 Attorney General designated
for such inspections 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 Attorney General to seize any
records or other documents other than those
records or documents constituting material evidence of a violation of law. If the Attorney General seizes such records or documents, copies
shall be provided the licensee within a reasonable time. The Attorney General may make
available to any Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency any information which he
may obtain by reason of this chapter with respect to the identification of persons prohibited
from purchasing or receiving firearms or ammunition who have purchased or received firearms
or ammunition, 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 Attorney
General 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
Attorney General reports and information with
respect to such records and the contents thereof,
except as expressly required by this section.
(3)(A) Each licensee shall prepare a report of
multiple sales or other dispositions whenever
the licensee sells or otherwise disposes of, at one

§ 923

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 Attorney General and forwarded to the office specified thereon and to the department of State police or State law enforcement agency of the
State or local law enforcement agency of the
local jurisdiction in which the sale or other disposition took place, not later than the close of
business on the day that the multiple sale or
other disposition occurs.
(B) Except in the case of forms and contents
thereof regarding a purchaser who is prohibited
by subsection (g) or (n) of section 922 of this
title from receipt of a firearm, the department
of State police or State law enforcement agency
or local law enforcement agency of the local jurisdiction shall not disclose any such form or
the contents thereof to any person or entity,
and shall destroy each such form and any record
of the contents thereof no more than 20 days
from the date such form is received. No later
than the date that is 6 months after the effective date of this subparagraph, and at the end of
each 6-month period thereafter, the department
of State police or State law enforcement agency
or local law enforcement agency of the local jurisdiction shall certify to the Attorney General
of the United States that no disclosure contrary
to this subparagraph has been made and that all
forms and any record of the contents thereof
have been destroyed as provided in this subparagraph.
(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 Attorney General. However, where State law or local ordinance requires the delivery of records to other
responsible authority, the Attorney General
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 Attorney General, and until
notified to the contrary in writing by the Attorney General, submit on a form specified by the
Attorney General, 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 Attorney General
in such letter may specify.
(B) The Attorney General 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 licensee 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 Attorney General, and the Attorney General approves
such alternate method of reporting.
(6) Each licensee shall report the theft or loss
of a firearm from the licensee’s inventory or col-

§ 923

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

lection, within 48 hours after the theft or loss is
discovered, to the Attorney General and to the
appropriate local authorities.
(7) Each licensee shall respond immediately
to, and in no event later than 24 hours after the
receipt of, a request by the Attorney General for
information contained in the records required to
be kept by this chapter as may be required for
determining the disposition of 1 or more firearms in the course of a bona fide criminal investigation. The requested information shall be
provided orally or in writing, as the Attorney
General may require. The Attorney General
shall implement a system whereby the licensee
can positively identify and establish that an individual requesting information via telephone is
employed by and authorized by the agency to request such information.
(h) Licenses issued under the provisions of
subsection (c) of this 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 of
the weapon, in such manner as the Attorney
General shall by regulations prescribe, each firearm imported or manufactured by such importer
or manufacturer.
(j) A licensed importer, licensed manufacturer,
or licensed dealer may, under rules or regulations prescribed by the Attorney General, conduct 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 organization, or any affiliate of any
such organization devoted to the collection,
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
transactions 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 Attorney General 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
construed to authorize the Attorney General to
inspect or examine the inventory 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 diminish 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, including the
right of a licensee to conduct ‘‘curios or relics’’
firearms transfers and business away from their

Page 232

business premises with another licensee without
regard as to whether the location of where the
business is conducted is located in the State
specified on the license of either licensee.
(k) Licensed importers and licensed manufacturers shall mark all armor piercing projectiles
and packages containing such projectiles for distribution in the manner prescribed by the Attorney General by regulation. The Attorney General shall furnish information to each dealer licensed under this chapter defining which projectiles are considered armor piercing ammunition
as defined in section 921(a)(17)(B).
(l) The Attorney General shall notify the chief
law enforcement officer in the appropriate State
and local jurisdictions of the names and addresses of all persons in the State to whom a firearms
license is issued.
(Added Pub. L. 90–351, title IV, § 902, June 19,
1968, 82 Stat. 231; amended Pub. L. 90–618, title I,
§ 102, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1221; Pub. L. 92–377,
title I, § 165(b), Dec. 21, 1982, 96 Stat. 1923; Pub. L.
99–308, § 103, May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 453; Pub. L.
99–360, § 1(c), July 8, 1986, 100 Stat. 766; Pub. L.
99–408, §§ 3–7, Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 921; Pub. L.
100–690, title VII, § 7060(d), Nov. 18, 1988, 102 Stat.
4404; Pub. L. 101–647, title XXII, § 2203(a), title
XXXV, § 3525, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4857, 4924;
Pub. L. 101–650, title III, § 321, Dec. 1, 1990, 104
Stat. 5117; Pub. L. 103–159, title II, § 201, title III,
§ 303, Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1544, 1545; Pub. L.
103–322, title XI, §§ 110102(d), 110103(d), 110105(2),
110301(a), 110302–110307, title XXXIII, § 330011(i),
Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 1998–2000, 2012–2014, 2145;
Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(f) [title I,
§ 118], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–326;
Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 603(j)(1), (k), (l), Oct.
11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3504, 3505; Pub. L. 105–277, div.
A, § 101(b) [title I, § 119(b), (c)], Oct. 21, 1998, 112
Stat. 2681–50, 2681–69; Pub. L. 107–296, title XI,
§ 1112(f)(5), (6), Nov. 25, 2002, 116 Stat. 2276.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The effective date of this subparagraph, referred to in
subsec. (g)(3)(B), is the date of enactment of Pub. L.
103–159, which was approved Nov. 30, 1993.
The date of the enactment of the Firearms Owners’
Protection Act, referred to in subsec. (j), is the date of
enactment of Pub. L. 99–308, which was approved May
19, 1986.
AMENDMENTS
2002—Subsecs. (a) to (g), (i) to (k). Pub. L. 107–296,
§ 1112(f)(6), substituted ‘‘Attorney General’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’ wherever appearing.
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 107–296, § 1112(f)(5), substituted
‘‘Attorney General’’ for ‘‘Secretary of the Treasury’’.
1998—Subsec. (d)(1)(G). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(b) [title I,
§ 119(b)], added subpar. (G).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 105–277, § 101(b) [title I, § 119(c)],
inserted before period at end of first sentence ‘‘or fails
to have secure gun storage or safety devices available
at any place in which firearms are sold under the license to persons who are not licensees (except that in
any case in which a secure gun storage or safety device
is temporarily unavailable because of theft, casualty
loss, consumer sales, backorders from a manufacturer,
or any other similar reason beyond the control of the
licensee, the dealer shall not be considered to be in violation of the requirement to make available such a device)’’.
1996—Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(k),
substituted ‘‘; or’’ for period at end of subcl. (II) and realigned margins.

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Subsec. (g)(3)(A). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(j)(1), amended
directory language of Pub. L. 103–159, § 201(1). See 1993
Amendment note below.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 104–208 substituted for period at
end ‘‘, including the right of a licensee to conduct ‘curios or relics’ firearms transfers and business away
from their business premises with another licensee
without regard as to whether the location of where the
business is conducted is located in the State specified
on the license of either licensee.’’
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(l), redesignated last
subsec. as subsec. (l) and realigned margins.
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110301(a), inserted
‘‘and shall include a photograph and fingerprints of the
applicant’’ after ‘‘regulation prescribe’’ in introductory
provisions.
Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330011(i), amended
directory language of Pub. L. 101–647, § 3525. See 1990
Amendment note below.
Subsec. (d)(1)(F). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110302, added subpar. (F).
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110303, substituted
‘‘60-day period’’ for ‘‘forty-five-day period’’.
Subsec. (g)(1)(B)(ii). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110304, amended
cl. (ii) generally. Prior to amendment, cl. (ii) read as
follows: ‘‘for ensuring compliance with the record keeping requirements of this chapter not more than once
during any twelve-month period; or’’.
Subsec. (g)(6). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110305, added par. (6).
Subsec. (g)(7). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110306, added par. (7).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110103(d), which inserted
at end ‘‘A large capacity ammunition feeding device
manufactured after the date of the enactment of this
sentence shall be identified by a serial number that
clearly shows that the device was manufactured or imported after the effective date of this subsection, and
such other identification as the Secretary may by regulation prescribe.’’, was repealed by Pub. L. 103–322,
§ 110105(2). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1994
Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 103–322, § 110102(d), which inserted penultimate sentence which read as follows: ‘‘The serial number of any semiautomatic assault weapon manufactured after the date of the enactment of this sentence
shall clearly show the date on which the weapon was
manufactured.’’, was repealed by Pub. L. 103–322,
§ 110105(2). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1994
Amendment note below.
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110307, which directed the
amendment of this section by adding subsec. (1) at end,
was executed by adding subsec. (l) at end to reflect the
probable intent of Congress.
1993—Subsec. (a)(3)(A). Pub. L. 103–159, § 303(1), inserted ‘‘or’’ at end of subpar. (A).
Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 103–159, § 303(2), (3), substituted ‘‘who is not a dealer in destructive devices, a
fee of $200 for 3 years, except that the fee for renewal
of a valid license shall be $90 for 3 years.’’ for ‘‘who is
a pawnbroker dealing in firearms other than destructive devices, a fee of $25 per year; or’’.
Subsec. (a)(3)(C). Pub. L. 103–159, § 303(4), struck out
subpar. (C) which read as follows: ‘‘who is not a dealer
in destructive devices or a pawnbroker, a fee of $10 per
year.’’
Subsec. (g)(3). Pub. L. 103–159, § 201, as amended by
Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(j)(1), designated existing provisions
as subpar. (A), inserted ‘‘and to the department of
State police or State law enforcement agency of the
State or local law enforcement agency of the local jurisdiction in which the sale or other disposition took
place,’’ after ‘‘thereon’’, and added subpar. (B).
1990—Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 101–647, § 3525, as
amended by Pub. L. 103–322, § 330011(i), inserted a
comma after ‘‘devices’’.
Subsec. (d)(1)(B). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2203(a), substituted
‘‘(n)’’ for ‘‘(h)’’.
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–690, § 7060(d)(1), struck
out period after ‘‘licensing’’ in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 100–690, § 7060(d)(2), struck out
the period that followed a period after ‘‘paragraph (2)’’.

§ 923

1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–308, § 103(1), amended first
sentence generally and substituted ‘‘only that information necessary to determine eligibility for licensing.’’
for ‘‘such information’’ in second sentence. Prior to
amendment, first sentence read as follows: ‘‘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.’’
Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 99–408, § 3, in amending subpar. (A) generally, substituted ‘‘, ammunition for destructive devices or armor piercing ammunition’’ for
‘‘or ammunition for destructive devices’’.
Subsec. (a)(1)(C). Pub. L. 99–408, § 4, in amending subpar. (C) generally, substituted ‘‘, other than ammunition for destructive devices or armor piercing ammunition’’ for ‘‘other than destructive devices’’.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 99–408, § 5, amended subpars. (A)
and (B) generally. Prior to amendment, subpars. (A)
and (B) read as follows:
‘‘(A) of destructive devices or ammunition for destructive devices, 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.’’
Subsec. (a)(3)(B). Pub. L. 99–308, § 103(2), struck out
‘‘or ammunition for firearms other than destructive devices,’’ after ‘‘destructive devices’’.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–308, § 103(3), substituted ‘‘only
that information necessary to determine eligibility’’
for ‘‘such information’’.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–360 inserted provision which
required any licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer who has maintained a firearm as part of a personal
collection for one year and sells or otherwise disposes
of such firearm to record the description of the firearm
in a bound volume, specified other information to be
recorded, and provided that no other recordkeeping be
required.
Pub. L. 99–308, § 103(4), inserted provision that nothing
in this chapter be construed to prohibit a licensed manufacturer, importer, or dealer from maintaining and
disposing of a personal collection of firearms subject to
such restrictions as apply in this chapter to other persons, and provision specifying circumstances under
which such disposition or any other acquisition shall
result in such firearms being deemed part of the licensee’s business inventory.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–408, § 6, inserted provisions relating to licenses of dealers willfully transferring
armor piercing ammunition.
Pub. L. 99–308, § 103(5), inserted ‘‘willfully’’ before
‘‘violated’’.
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 99–308, § 103(6)(A), inserted ‘‘de
novo’’ before ‘‘judicial review’’ in second sentence and
‘‘whether or not such evidence was considered at the
hearing held under paragraph (2).’’ after ‘‘to the proceeding’’ in third sentence.
Subsec. (f)(4). Pub. L. 99–308, § 103(6)(B), added par. (4).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 99–308, § 103(7), amended subsec.
(g) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (g) read as
follows: ‘‘Each licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, and licensed collector shall
maintain such records of importation, production, shipment, receipt, sale, or other disposition, of firearms
and ammunition except .22 caliber rimfire ammunition
at such place, for such period, and in such form as the
Secretary may by regulations prescribe. Such importers, manufacturers, 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
contents 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 collector 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

§ 923

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

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 any political subdivision 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.’’
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 99–308, § 103(8), amended subsec. (j)
generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (j) read as follows: ‘‘This section shall not apply to anyone who engages only in hand loading, reloading, or custom loading ammunition for his own firearm, and who does not
hand load, reload, or custom load ammunition for others.’’
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 99–408, § 7, added subsec. (k).
1982—Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 97–377 inserted ‘‘except .22
caliber rimfire ammunition’’ after ‘‘and ammunition’’.
The amendment by Pub. L. 97–377, which purported to
amend subsec. (9), was executed instead to subsec. (g)
as the probable intent of Congress because this section
does not contain a subsec. (9).
1968—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90–618 struck out ‘‘be required to’’ after ‘‘Each applicant shall’’.
Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 90–618 inserted ‘‘the applicant
is’’ after ‘‘If’’ in text preceding subpar. (A), substituted
‘‘or ammunition for destructive devices,’’ for ‘‘and/or
ammunition’’ in subpar. (A), decreased the fee from $500
per year to $50 per year in subpar. (B), and added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 90–618 inserted ‘‘the applicant
is’’ after ‘‘If’’ in text preceding subpar. (A), substituted
‘‘or ammunition for destructive devices,’’ for ‘‘and/or
ammunition’’ in subpar. (A), and inserted provision for
ammunition for firearms other than destructive devices and decreased the fee from $500 per year to $50 per
year in subpar. (B).
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 90–618 inserted ‘‘the applicant
is’’ after ‘‘If’’ in text preceding subpar. (A), substituted
‘‘in destructive devices or ammunition for destructive
devices,’’ for ‘‘of destructive devices and/or ammunition’’ in subpar. (A), and inserted provision for ammunition for firearms other than destructive devices and
decreased the fee from $250 per year to $25 per year in
subpar. (B).
Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 90–618 added subsec. (b), redesignated former subsec. (b) as (c) and made mandatory the requirement that the Secretary issue the appropriate license to a qualified applicant. Former subsec. (c) redesignated (d).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec.
(c) as (d)(1), made changes in phraseology, inserted references to section 922(g) and (h) of this chapter in subsec. (d)(1)(B) and to applicants engaged in collecting in
subsec. (d)(1)(E)(ii), and added subsec. (d)(2). Former
subsec. (d) redesignated (g).
Subsecs. (e), (f). Pub. L. 90–618 added subsecs. (e) and
(f) and redesignated former subsecs. (e) and (f) as (h)
and (i), respectively.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec.
(d) as (g) and added licensed collectors to the enumerated list of licensees subject to the provisions of this
section.
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec. (e) as (h) and substituted ‘‘subsection (c)’’ for ‘‘subsection (b)’’.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated former subsec.
(f) as (i) and inserted ‘‘, by means of a serial number
engraved or cast on the receiver or frame of the weapon,’’ after ‘‘shall identify’’.
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 90–618 added subsec. (j).
CHANGE OF NAME
Words ‘‘magistrate judge’’ substituted for ‘‘magistrate’’ wherever appearing in subsec. (g)(1)(A) pursuant to section 321 of Pub. L. 101–650, set out as a note
under section 631 of Title 28, Judiciary and Judicial
Procedure.

Page 234

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
Amendment by Pub. L. 105–277, effective 180 days
after Oct. 21, 1998, see section 101(b) [title I, § 119(e)] of
Pub. L. 105–277, set out as a note under section 921 of
this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Section 603(j)(2) of Pub. L. 104–294 provided that: ‘‘The
amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this section] shall take effect as if the amendment had been included in the Act referred to in paragraph (1) [Pub. L.
103–159] on the date of the enactment of such Act [Nov.
30, 1993].’’
EFFECTIVE AND TERMINATION DATES OF 1994
AMENDMENT
Amendment by sections 110102(d) and 110103(d) of Pub.
L. 103–322 repealed 10 years after Sept. 13, 1994, see section 110105(2) of Pub. L. 103–322, formerly set out as a
note under section 921 of this title.
Section 330011(i) of Pub. L. 103–322 provided that the
amendment made by that section is effective as of the
date on which section 3525 of Pub. L. 101–647 took effect.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
Amendment by sections 3 to 5 of Pub. L. 99–408 effective first day of first calendar month beginning more
than ninety days after Aug. 28, 1986, and amendment by
sections 6 and 7 of Pub. L. 99–408 effective Aug. 28, 1986,
see section 9 of Pub. L. 99–408, set out as a note under
section 921 of this title.
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–360 effective on date on
which amendment of this section by Firearms Owners’
Protection Act, Pub. L. 99–308, became effective, see
section 2 of Pub. L. 99–360, set out as a note under section 921 of this title.
Amendment by section 103(1)–(6)(A), (7), (8) of Pub. L.
99–308 effective 180 days after May 19, 1986, and amendment by section 103(6)(B) of Pub. L. 99–308 applicable to
any action, petition, or appellate proceeding pending
on May 19, 1986, see section 110(a), (b) of Pub. L. 99–308,
set out as a note under section 921 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1968 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–618 effective Dec. 16, 1968,
see section 105 of Pub. L. 90–618, set out as a note under
section 921 of this title.
STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION; EVIDENCE
Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(b) [title I, § 119(d)], Oct. 21,
1998, 112 Stat. 2681–50, 2681–70, provided that:
‘‘(1) STATUTORY CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in the
amendments made by this section [amending this section and section 921 of this title] shall be construed—
‘‘(A) as creating a cause of action against any firearms dealer or any other person for any civil liability; or
‘‘(B) as establishing any standard of care.
‘‘(2) EVIDENCE.—Notwithstanding any other provision
of law, evidence regarding compliance or noncompliance with the amendments made by this section shall
not be admissible as evidence in any proceeding of any
court, agency, board, or other entity.’’
FUNDING FOR BUREAU NOT AUTHORIZED FOR
DISCLOSURE OF DATA
Pub. L. 111–117, div. B, title II, Dec. 16, 2009, 123 Stat.
3128, provided in part: ‘‘That, beginning in fiscal year
2010 and thereafter, no funds appropriated under this or
any other Act may be used to disclose part or all of the
contents of the Firearms Trace System database maintained by the National Trace Center of the Bureau of

Page 235

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives or any information required to be kept by licensees pursuant to
section 923(g) of title 18, United States Code, or required to be reported pursuant to paragraphs (3) and (7)
of such section 923(g), except to: (1) a Federal, State,
local, or tribal law enforcement agency, or a Federal,
State, or local prosecutor; or (2) a foreign law enforcement agency solely in connection with or for use in a
criminal investigation or prosecution; or (3) a Federal
agency for a national security or intelligence purpose;
unless such disclosure of such data to any of the entities described in (1), (2) or (3) of this proviso would compromise the identity of any undercover law enforcement officer or confidential informant, or interfere
with any case under investigation; and no person or entity described in (1), (2) or (3) shall knowingly and publicly disclose such data; and all such data shall be immune from legal process, shall not be subject to subpoena or other discovery, shall be inadmissible in evidence, and shall not be used, relied on, or disclosed in
any manner, nor shall testimony or other evidence be
permitted based on the data, in a civil action in any
State (including the District of Columbia) or Federal
court or in an administrative proceeding other than a
proceeding commenced by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to enforce the provisions of chapter 44 of such title, or a review of such an
action or proceeding; except that this proviso shall not
be construed to prevent: (A) the disclosure of statistical information concerning total production, importation, and exportation by each licensed importer (as
defined in section 921(a)(9) of such title) and licensed
manufacturer (as defined in section 921(a)(10) of such
title); (B) the sharing or exchange of such information
among and between Federal, State, local, or foreign
law enforcement agencies, Federal, State, or local prosecutors, and Federal national security, intelligence, or
counterterrorism officials; or (C) the publication of annual statistical reports on products regulated by the
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives,
including total production, importation, and exportation by each licensed importer (as so defined) and licensed manufacturer (as so defined), or statistical aggregate data regarding firearms traffickers and trafficking channels, or firearms misuse, felons, and trafficking investigations’’.
Similar provisions were contained in the following
prior appropriation acts:
Pub. L. 111–8, div. B, title II, Mar. 11, 2009, 123 Stat.
575.
Pub. L. 110–161, div. B, title II, Dec. 26, 2007, 121 Stat.
1903.
Pub. L. 109–108, title I, Nov. 22, 2005, 119 Stat. 2295.
Pub. L. 108–447, div. B, title I, Dec. 8, 2004, 118 Stat.
2859.

§ 924. Penalties
(a)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this subsection, subsection (b), (c), (f), or (p) 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), (f),
(k), or (q) 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(l); or
(D) willfully violates any other provision of
this chapter,
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not
more than five years, or both.

§ 924

(2) Whoever knowingly violates subsection
(a)(6), (d), (g), (h), (i), (j), or (o) of section 922
shall be fined as provided in this title, imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both.
(3) Any licensed dealer, licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, or licensed collector who
knowingly—
(A) makes any false statement or representation with respect 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 under this title, imprisoned not
more than one year, or both.
(4) Whoever violates section 922(q) shall be
fined under this title, imprisoned for not more
than 5 years, or both. Notwithstanding any
other provision of law, the term of imprisonment imposed under this paragraph shall not
run concurrently with any other term of imprisonment imposed under any other provision of
law. Except for the authorization of a term of
imprisonment of not more than 5 years made in
this paragraph, for the purpose of any other law
a violation of section 922(q) shall be deemed to
be a misdemeanor.
(5) Whoever knowingly violates subsection (s)
or (t) of section 922 shall be fined under this
title, imprisoned for not more than 1 year, or
both.
(6)(A)(i) A juvenile who violates section 922(x)
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not
more than 1 year, or both, except that a juvenile
described in clause (ii) shall be sentenced to probation on appropriate conditions and shall not
be incarcerated unless the juvenile fails to comply with a condition of probation.
(ii) A juvenile is described in this clause if—
(I) the offense of which the juvenile is
charged is possession of a handgun or ammunition in violation of section 922(x)(2); and
(II) the juvenile has not been convicted in
any court of an offense (including an offense
under section 922(x) or a similar State law, but
not including any other offense consisting of
conduct that if engaged in by an adult would
not constitute an offense) or adjudicated as a
juvenile delinquent for conduct that if engaged in by an adult would constitute an offense.
(B) A person other than a juvenile who knowingly violates section 922(x)—
(i) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned
not more than 1 year, or both; and
(ii) if the person sold, delivered, or otherwise
transferred a handgun or ammunition to a juvenile knowing or having reasonable cause to
know that the juvenile intended to carry or
otherwise possess or discharge or otherwise
use the handgun or ammunition in the commission of a crime of violence, shall be fined
under this title, imprisoned not more than 10
years, or both.
(7) Whoever knowingly violates section 931
shall be fined under this title, imprisoned not
more than 3 years, or both.
(b) Whoever, with intent to commit therewith
an offense punishable by imprisonment for a
term exceeding one year, or with knowledge or

§ 924

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

reasonable cause to believe that an offense punishable by imprisonment 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 under this title, or imprisoned not more
than ten years, or both.
(c)(1)(A) Except to the extent that a greater
minimum sentence is otherwise provided by this
subsection or by any other provision of law, any
person who, during and in relation to any crime
of violence or drug trafficking crime (including
a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime
that provides for an enhanced punishment if
committed by the use of a deadly or dangerous
weapon or device) for which the person may be
prosecuted in a court of the United States, uses
or carries a firearm, or who, in furtherance of
any such crime, possesses a firearm, shall, in addition to the punishment provided for such
crime of violence or drug trafficking crime—
(i) be sentenced to a term of imprisonment
of not less than 5 years;
(ii) if the firearm is brandished, be sentenced
to a term of imprisonment of not less than 7
years; and
(iii) if the firearm is discharged, be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less
than 10 years.
(B) If the firearm possessed by a person convicted of a violation of this subsection—
(i) is a short-barreled rifle, short-barreled
shotgun, or semiautomatic assault weapon,
the person shall be sentenced to a term of imprisonment of not less than 10 years; or
(ii) is a machinegun or a destructive device,
or is equipped with a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, the person shall be sentenced to
a term of imprisonment of not less than 30
years.
(C) In the case of a second or subsequent conviction under this subsection, the person shall—
(i) be sentenced to a term of imprisonment
of not less than 25 years; and
(ii) if the firearm involved is a machinegun
or a destructive device, or is equipped with a
firearm silencer or firearm muffler, be sentenced to imprisonment for life.
(D) Notwithstanding any other provision of
law—
(i) a court shall not place on probation any
person convicted of a violation of this subsection; and
(ii) no term of imprisonment imposed on a
person under this subsection shall run concurrently with any other term of imprisonment
imposed on the person, including any term of
imprisonment imposed for the crime of violence or drug trafficking crime during which
the firearm was used, carried, or possessed.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term
‘‘drug trafficking crime’’ means any felony punishable under the Controlled Substances Act (21
U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Controlled Substances
Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or
chapter 705 of title 46.
(3) For purposes of this subsection the term
‘‘crime of violence’’ means an offense that is a
felony and—

Page 236

(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 physical force against the person or
property of another may be used in the course
of committing the offense.
(4) For purposes of this subsection, the term
‘‘brandish’’ means, with respect to a firearm, to
display all or part of the firearm, or otherwise
make the presence of the firearm known to another person, in order to intimidate that person,
regardless of whether the firearm is directly
visible to that person.
(5) Except to the extent that a greater minimum sentence is otherwise provided under this
subsection, or by any other provision of law, any
person who, during and in relation to any crime
of violence or drug trafficking crime (including
a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime
that provides for an enhanced punishment if
committed by the use of a deadly or dangerous
weapon or device) for which the person may be
prosecuted in a court of the United States, uses
or carries armor piercing ammunition, or who,
in furtherance of any such crime, possesses
armor piercing ammunition, shall, in addition
to the punishment provided for such crime of
violence or drug trafficking crime or conviction
under this section—
(A) be sentenced to a term of imprisonment
of not less than 15 years; and
(B) if death results from the use of such ammunition—
(i) if the killing is murder (as defined in
section 1111), be punished by death or sentenced to a term of imprisonment for any
term of years or for life; and
(ii) if the killing is manslaughter (as defined in section 1112), be punished as provided in section 1112.
(d)(1) Any firearm or ammunition involved in
or used in any 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 States or any possession thereof any firearm or ammunition in violation of section 922(l),
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 1986 relating to the seizure, forfeiture, and disposition of firearms, as defined in
section 5845(a) of that Code, shall, so far as applicable, extend to seizures 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, or
lapse of or court termination of the restraining
order to which he is subject, the seized or relinquished firearms or ammunition shall be returned forthwith to the owner or possessor or to
a person delegated by the owner or possessor un-

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

less 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.
(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 appropriation Acts.
(3) The offenses referred to in paragraphs (1)
and (2)(C) of this subsection are—
(A) any crime of violence, as that term is defined in section 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.);
(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 ammunition 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),
922(j), 922(l), 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.
(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 a violent felony or a serious drug offense, or both, committed on occasions different from one another, such person
shall be fined under this title 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).

§ 924

(2) As used in this subsection—
(A) the term ‘‘serious drug offense’’ means—
(i) an offense under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act
(21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title
46 for which a maximum term of imprisonment of ten years or more is prescribed by
law; or
(ii) an offense under State law, involving
manufacturing, distributing, or possessing
with intent to manufacture or distribute, a
controlled substance (as defined in section
102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21
U.S.C. 802)), for which a maximum term of
imprisonment of ten years or more is prescribed by law;
(B) the term ‘‘violent felony’’ means any
crime punishable by imprisonment for a term
exceeding one year, or any act of juvenile delinquency involving the use or carrying of a
firearm, knife, or destructive device that
would be punishable by imprisonment for such
term if committed by an adult, that—
(i) has as an element the use, attempted
use, or threatened use of physical force
against the person of another; or
(ii) is burglary, arson, or extortion, involves use of explosives, or otherwise involves conduct that presents a serious potential risk of physical injury to another; and
(C) the term ‘‘conviction’’ includes a finding
that a person has committed an act of juvenile
delinquency involving a violent felony.
(f) In the case of a person who knowingly violates section 922(p), such person shall be fined
under this title, or imprisoned not more than 5
years, or both.
(g) Whoever, with the intent to engage in conduct which—
(1) constitutes an offense listed in section
1961(1),
(2) is punishable under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21
U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title 46,
(3) violates any State law relating to any
controlled substance (as defined in section
102(6) of the Controlled Substances Act (21
U.S.C. 802(6))), or
(4) constitutes a crime of violence (as defined in subsection (c)(3)),
travels from any State or foreign country into
any other State and acquires, transfers, or attempts to acquire or transfer, a firearm in such
other State in furtherance of such purpose, shall
be imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined in
accordance with this title, or both.
(h) Whoever knowingly transfers a firearm,
knowing that such firearm will be used to commit a crime of violence (as defined in subsection
(c)(3)) or drug trafficking crime (as defined in
subsection (c)(2)) shall be imprisoned not more
than 10 years, fined in accordance with this
title, or both.
(i)(1) A person who knowingly violates section
922(u) shall be fined under this title, imprisoned
not more than 10 years, or both.
(2) Nothing contained in this subsection shall
be construed as indicating an intent on the part

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

of Congress to occupy the field in which provisions of this subsection operate to the exclusion
of State laws on the same subject matter, nor
shall any provision of this subsection be construed as invalidating any provision of State
law unless such provision is inconsistent with
any of the purposes of this subsection.
(j) A person who, in the course of a violation
of subsection (c), causes the death of a person
through the use of a firearm, shall—
(1) if the killing is a murder (as defined in
section 1111), be punished by death or by imprisonment for any term of years or for life;
and
(2) if the killing is manslaughter (as defined
in section 1112), be punished as provided in
that section.
(k) A person who, with intent to engage in or
to promote conduct that—
(1) is punishable under the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act (21
U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or chapter 705 of title 46;
(2) violates any law of a State relating to
any controlled substance (as defined in section
102 of the Controlled Substances Act, 21 U.S.C.
802); or
(3) constitutes a crime of violence (as defined in subsection (c)(3)),
smuggles or knowingly brings into the United
States a firearm, or attempts to do so, shall be
imprisoned not more than 10 years, fined under
this title, or both.
(l) A person who steals any firearm which is
moving as, or is a part of, or which has moved
in, interstate or foreign commerce shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years, fined under
this title, or both.
(m) A person who steals any firearm from a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector shall be fined
under this title, imprisoned not more than 10
years, or both.
(n) A person who, with the intent to engage in
conduct that constitutes a violation of section
922(a)(1)(A), travels from any State or foreign
country into any other State and acquires, or
attempts to acquire, a firearm in such other
State in furtherance of such purpose shall be imprisoned for not more than 10 years.
(o) A person who conspires to commit an offense under subsection (c) shall be imprisoned
for not more than 20 years, fined under this
title, or both; and if the firearm is a machinegun
or destructive device, or is equipped with a firearm silencer or muffler, shall be imprisoned for
any term of years or life.
(p) PENALTIES RELATING TO SECURE GUN STORAGE OR SAFETY DEVICE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—
(A) SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF LICENSE;
CIVIL PENALTIES.—With respect to each violation of section 922(z)(1) by a licensed manufacturer, licensed importer, or licensed
dealer, the Secretary may, after notice and
opportunity for hearing—
(i) suspend for not more than 6 months,
or revoke, the license issued to the licensee under this chapter that was used to
conduct the firearms transfer; or

Page 238

(ii) subject the licensee to a civil penalty
in an amount equal to not more than
$2,500.
(B) REVIEW.—An action of the Secretary
under this paragraph may be reviewed only
as provided under section 923(f).
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE REMEDIES.—The suspension or revocation of a license or the imposition of a civil penalty under paragraph (1)
shall not preclude any administrative remedy
that is otherwise available to the Secretary.
(Added Pub. L. 90–351, title IV, § 902, June 19,
1968, 82 Stat. 233; amended Pub. L. 90–618, title I,
§ 102, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1223; Pub. L. 91–644,
title II, § 13, Jan. 2, 1971, 84 Stat. 1889; Pub. L.
98–473, title II, §§ 223(a), 1005(a), Oct. 12, 1984, 98
Stat. 2028, 2138; Pub. L. 99–308, § 104(a), May 19,
1986, 100 Stat. 456; Pub. L. 99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986,
100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L. 99–570, title I, § 1402, Oct.
27, 1986, 100 Stat. 3207–39; Pub. L. 100–649, § 2(b),
(f)(2)(B), (D), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat. 3817, 3818;
Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, §§ 6211, 6212, 6451, 6460,
6462, title VII, §§ 7056, 7060(a), Nov. 18, 1988, 102
Stat. 4359, 4360, 4371, 4373, 4374, 4402, 4403; Pub. L.
101–647, title XI, § 1101, title XVII, § 1702(b)(3),
title XXII, §§ 2203(d), 2204(c), title XXXV,
§§ 3526–3529, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4829, 4845, 4857,
4924; Pub. L. 103–159, title I, § 102(c), title III,
§ 302(d), Nov. 30, 1993, 107 Stat. 1541, 1545; Pub. L.
103–322, title VI, § 60013, title XI, §§ 110102(c),
110103(c), 110105(2), 110201(b), 110401(e), 110503,
110504(a), 110507, 110510, 110515(a), 110517, 110518(a),
title XXXIII, §§ 330002(h), 330003(f)(2), 330011(i),
(j), 330016(1)(H), (K), (L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat.
1973, 1998–2000, 2011, 2015, 2016, 2018–2020, 2140,
2141, 2145, 2147; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI,
§ 603(m)(1), (n)–(p)(1), (q)–(s), Oct. 11, 1996, 110
Stat. 3505; Pub. L. 105–386, § 1(a), Nov. 13, 1998, 112
Stat. 3469; Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV,
§ 4002(d)(1)(E), div. C, title I, § 11009(e)(3), Nov. 2,
2002, 116 Stat. 1809, 1821; Pub. L. 108–174, § 1(2), (3),
Dec. 9, 2003, 117 Stat. 2481; Pub. L. 109–92,
§§ 5(c)(2), 6(b), Oct. 26, 2005, 119 Stat. 2100, 2102;
Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(d)(3), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat.
1707.)
AMENDMENT OF SECTION
Pub. L. 100–649, § 2(f)(2)(B), (D), Nov. 10,
1988, 102 Stat. 3818, as amended by Pub. L.
101–647, title XXXV, § 3526(b), Nov. 29, 1990, 104
Stat. 4924; Pub. L. 105–277, div. A, § 101(h) [title
VI, § 649], Oct. 21, 1998, 112 Stat. 2681–480,
2681–528; Pub. L. 108–174, § 1, Dec. 9, 2003, 117
Stat. 2481, provided that, effective 25 years after
the 30th day beginning after Nov. 10, 1988, subsection (a)(1) of this section is amended by
striking ‘‘this subsection, subsection (b), (c), or
(f) of this section, or in section 929’’ and inserting ‘‘this chapter’’, subsection (f) of this section
is repealed, and subsections (g) through (o) of
this section are redesignated as subsections (f)
through (n), respectively, of this section.
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (d)(1), is set out as Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 5845(a) of that Code, referred to in subsec.
(d)(1), is classified to section 5845(a) of Title 26.
The Controlled Substances Act, referred to in subsecs. (c)(2), (d)(3)(B), (e)(2)(A)(i), (g)(2), and (k)(1), is

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

title II of Pub. L. 91–513, Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1242, as
amended, which is classified principally to subchapter
I (§ 801 et seq.) of chapter 13 of Title 21, Food and Drugs.
For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 801 of Title 21
and Tables.
The Controlled Substances Import and Export Act,
referred to in subsecs. (c)(2), (d)(3)(B), (e)(2)(A)(i), (g)(2),
and (k)(1), is title III of Pub. L. 91–513, Oct. 27, 1970, 84
Stat. 1285, as amended, which is classified principally
to subchapter II (§ 951 et seq.) of chapter 13 of Title 21.
For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see
Short Title note set out under section 951 of Title 21
and Tables.
AMENDMENTS
2006—Subsecs. (c)(2), (e)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 109–304,
§ 17(d)(3)(A), substituted ‘‘chapter 705 of title 46’’ for
‘‘the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (46 U.S.C.
App. 1901 et seq.)’’.
Subsec. (g)(2). Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(d)(3), substituted
‘‘801 et seq.’’ for ‘‘802 et seq.’’ and ‘‘chapter 705 of title
46’’ for ‘‘the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (46
U.S.C. App. 1901 et seq.)’’.
Subsec. (k)(1). Pub. L. 109–304, § 17(d)(3)(A), substituted ‘‘chapter 705 of title 46’’ for ‘‘the Maritime
Drug Law Enforcement Act (46 U.S.C. App. 1901 et
seq.)’’.
2005—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–92, § 5(c)(2)(A), substituted ‘‘(f), or (p)’’ for ‘‘or (f)’’ in introductory provisions.
Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 109–92, § 6(b), added par. (5).
Subsec. (p). Pub. L. 109–92, § 5(c)(2)(B), added subsec.
(p).
2002—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 107–273, § 11009(e)(3), added
par. (7).
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 107–273, § 4002(d)(1)(E), substituted ‘‘under this title’’ for ‘‘not more than $25,000’’.
1998—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 105–386, § 1(a)(1), added
par. (1) and struck out former par. (1) which read as follows: ‘‘Whoever, during and in relation to any crime of
violence or drug trafficking crime (including a crime of
violence or drug trafficking crime which provides for
an enhanced punishment if committed by the use of a
deadly or dangerous weapon or device) for which he
may be prosecuted in a court of the United States, uses
or carries a firearm, shall, in addition to the punishment provided for such crime of violence or drug trafficking crime, be sentenced to imprisonment for five
years, and if the firearm is a short-barreled rifle, shortbarreled shotgun, or semiautomatic assault weapon, to
imprisonment for ten years, and if the firearm is a machinegun, or a destructive device, or is equipped with a
firearm silencer or firearm muffler, to imprisonment
for thirty years. In the case of his second or subsequent
conviction under this subsection, such person shall be
sentenced to imprisonment for twenty years, and if the
firearm is a machinegun, or a destructive device, or is
equipped with a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, to
life imprisonment without release. Notwithstanding
any other provision of law, the court shall not place on
probation or suspend the sentence of any person convicted of a violation of this subsection, nor shall the
term of imprisonment imposed under this subsection
run concurrently with any other term of imprisonment
including that imposed for the crime of violence or
drug trafficking crime in which the firearm was used or
carried.’’
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 105–386, § 1(a)(2), added par. (4).
1996—Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(n), repealed Pub. L. 103–322, § 330002(h). See 1994 Amendment
note below.
Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(m)(1)(A), amended directory language of Pub. L. 103–322, § 110507. See 1994 Amendment
note below.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(m)(1)(B), amended
directory language of Pub. L. 103–322, § 110507(2). See
1994 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a)(5), (6). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(o), redesignated par. (5), relating to punishment for juveniles, as
(6).

§ 924

Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(p)(1), amended directory language of Pub. L. 103–322, § 110102(c)(2). See
1994 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(r), redesignated subsec. (i), relating to death penalty for gun murders, as
(j).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(r), redesignated subsec. (i) as (j). Former subsec. (j) redesignated (k).
Subsec. (j)(3). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(q), inserted closing
parenthesis before comma at end.
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(r), redesignated subsec. (j) as (k). Former subsec. (k) redesignated (l).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(s), amended directory
language of Pub. L. 103–322, § 110504. See 1994 Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(r), redesignated subsec. (k) as (l).
Former subsec. (l) redesignated (m).
Subsecs. (m) to (o). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(r), redesignated subsecs. (l) to (n) as (m) to (o), respectively.
1994—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(K), substituted ‘‘fined under this title’’ for ‘‘fined not more
than $5,000’’ in concluding provisions.
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330011(i), amended directory language of Pub. L. 101–647, § 3528. See 1990 Amendment
note below.
Pub. L. 103–322, § 110201(b)(1), which directed the striking of ‘‘paragraph (2) or (3) of’’ in subsec. (a)(1), could
not be executed because of prior amendment by Pub. L.
103–159. See 1993 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330002(h), which directed amendment of subpar. (B) by substituting ‘‘(r)’’
for ‘‘(q)’’, was repealed by Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(n), which
provided that § 330002(h) shall be considered never to
have been enacted.
Pub. L. 103–322, § 110507(1), as amended by Pub. L.
104–294, § 603(m)(1)(A), struck out ‘‘(a)(6),’’ after
‘‘(a)(4),’’.
Pub. L. 103–322, § 110103(c), which substituted ‘‘(v), or
(w)’’ for ‘‘or (v)’’, was repealed by Pub. L. 103–322,
§ 110105(2). See Effective and Termination Dates of 1994
Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 103–322, § 110102(c)(1), which substituted ‘‘(r),
or (v) of section 922’’ for ‘‘or (q) of section 922’’, was repealed by Pub. L. 103–322, § 110105(2). See Effective and
Termination Dates of 1994 Amendment note below.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110507(2), as amended
by Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(m)(1)(B), inserted ‘‘(a)(6),’’ after
‘‘subsection’’.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(H), substituted ‘‘fined under this title’’ for ‘‘fined not more
than $1,000’’.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(K), substituted ‘‘fined under this title’’ for ‘‘fined not more
than $5,000’’.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(H), substituted ‘‘fined under this title’’ for ‘‘fined not more
than $1,000’’ in par. (5) relating to knowing violations of
subsec. (s) or (t) of section 922.
Pub. L. 103–322, § 110201(b)(2), added par. (5) relating to
punishment for juveniles.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(L), substituted
‘‘fined under this title’’ for ‘‘fined not more than
$10,000’’.
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330011(j), amended directory language of Pub. L. 101–647, § 3527. See 1990
Amendment note below.
Pub. L. 103–322, § 110510(b), which directed the amendment of subsec. (c)(1) by striking ‘‘No person sentenced
under this subsection shall be eligible for parole during
the term of imprisonment imposed under this subsection.’’, was executed by striking the last sentence,
which read ‘‘No person sentenced under this subsection
shall be eligible for parole during the term of imprisonment imposed herein.’’, to reflect the probable intent of
Congress.
Pub. L. 103–322, §§ 110102(c)(2), 110105(2), as amended by
Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(p)(1), temporarily amended subsec.
(c)(1) by inserting ‘‘, or semiautomatic assault weapon,’’ after ‘‘short-barreled shotgun’’. See Effective and
Termination Dates of 1994 Amendment note below.

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110401(e), substituted
‘‘or lapse of or court termination of the restraining
order to which he is subject, the seized or relinquished
firearms’’ for ‘‘the seized firearms’’.
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110510(a), struck out
before period at end ‘‘, and such person shall not be eligible for parole with respect to the sentence imposed
under this subsection’’.
Subsec. (e)(2)(A)(i). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330003(f)(2), substituted ‘‘the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (46
U.S.C. App. 1901 et seq.)’’ for ‘‘the first section or section 3 of Public Law 96–350 (21 U.S.C. 955a et seq.)’’.
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 103–322, § 60013, added subsec. (i)
relating to death penalty for gun murders.
Subsec. (i)(1). Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(L), substituted ‘‘fined under this title’’ for ‘‘fined not more
than $10,000’’ in par. (1) of subsec. (i) relating to knowing violations of section 922(u).
Subsec. (j). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110503, added subsec. (j).
Subsec. (k). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110504(a), as amended by
Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(s), added subsec. (k).
Subsec. (l). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110515(a), added subsec.
(l).
Subsec. (m). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110517, added subsec.
(m).
Subsec. (n). Pub. L. 103–322, § 110518(a), added subsec.
(n).
1993—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 103–159, § 102(c)(1), struck
out ‘‘paragraph (2) or (3) of’’ before ‘‘this subsection’’ in
introductory provisions.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 103–159, § 102(c)(2), added par.
(5).
Subsec. (i). Pub. L. 103–159, § 302(d), added subsec. (i).
1990—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–647, § 3528, as amended
by Pub. L. 103–322, § 330011(i), substituted ‘‘(3) of this
subsection’’ for ‘‘3 of this subsection’’ in introductory
provisions.
Pub. L. 101–647, § 2203(d), struck out ‘‘, and shall become eligible for parole as the Parole Commission shall
determine’’ before period at end.
Subsec. (a)(1)(B). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2204(c), substituted
‘‘(k), or (q)’’ for ‘‘or (k)’’.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 101–647, § 3529(1), substituted
‘‘subsection’’ for ‘‘subsections’’ and inserted a comma
after ‘‘10 years’’.
Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2203(d), struck out
‘‘, and shall become eligible for parole as the Parole
Commission shall determine’’ before period at end.
Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 101–647, § 1702(b)(3), added par.
(4).
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 101–647, § 3527, as amended by
Pub. L. 103–322, § 330011(j), struck out ‘‘imprisonment
for’’ before ‘‘life imprisonment without release’’.
Pub. L. 101–647, § 1101(2), which directed amendment of
first sentence by ‘‘inserting ‘or a destructive device,’
after ‘a machinegun,’ wherever the term ‘machine gun’
appears, in section 924(c)(1)’’, was executed by inserting
the new language after ‘‘a machinegun,’’ once in the
first sentence and once in the second sentence to reflect the probable intent of Congress.
Pub. L. 101–647, § 1101(1), inserted ‘‘and if the firearm
is a short-barreled rifle, short-barreled shotgun to imprisonment for ten years,’’ after ‘‘sentenced to imprisonment for five years,’’.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 101–647, § 3529(2), (3), struck out
‘‘and’’ at end of subpar. (A)(ii) and substituted ‘‘; and’’
for period at end of subpar. (B)(ii).
Subsecs. (f) to (h). Pub. L. 101–647, § 3526(a), redesignated subsec. (f) relating to punishment for traveling
from any State or foreign country into another State
to obtain firearms for drug trafficking purposes as subsec. (g) and redesignated former subsec. (g) as (h).
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–690, § 6462, in par. (1), inserted ‘‘or 3’’ and substituted ‘‘, (c), or (f)’’ for ‘‘or (c)’’
in introductory provisions and struck out ‘‘(g), (i), (j),’’
after ‘‘(f),’’ in subpar. (B), added par. (2), and redesignated former par. (2) as (3).
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 100–690, § 7060(a), substituted
‘‘crime (including a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime which’’ for ‘‘crime,, including a crime of vio-

Page 240

lence or drug trafficking crime, which’’, ‘‘device) for’’
for ‘‘device, for’’, ‘‘crime, be sentenced’’ for ‘‘crime,, be
sentenced’’, and ‘‘crime in which’’ for ‘‘crime, or drug
trafficking crime in which’’.
Pub. L. 100–690, § 6460(1), (2)(A), substituted ‘‘thirty
years. In’’ for ‘‘ten years. In’’ and ‘‘twenty years, and
if’’ for ‘‘ten years, and if’’.
Pub. L. 100–690, § 6460(2)(B), which directed amendment of subsec. (c)(1) by striking ‘‘20 years’’ and inserting ‘‘life imprisonment without release’’ was executed
by substituting ‘‘life imprisonment without release’’
for ‘‘twenty years’’ to reflect the probable intent of
Congress because ‘‘20 years’’ did not appear.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 100–690, § 6212, amended par. (2)
generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows:
‘‘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 substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.
802)).’’
Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 100–690, § 7056, inserted ‘‘committed on occasions different from one another,’’ after
‘‘or both,’’.
Subsec. (e)(2)(B). Pub. L. 100–690, § 6451(1), inserted
‘‘, or any act of juvenile delinquency involving the use
or carrying of a firearm, knife, or destructive device
that would be punishable by imprisonment for such
term if committed by an adult,’’ after ‘‘one year’’.
Subsec. (e)(2)(C). Pub. L. 100–690, § 6451(2), added subpar. (C).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100–690, § 6211, added subsec. (f) relating to punishment for traveling from any State or
foreign country into another State to obtain firearms
for drug trafficking purposes.
Pub. L. 100–649, § 2(b)(2), added subsec. (f) relating to
penalty for violating section 922(p).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 100–690, § 6211, added subsec. (g).
1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–308, § 104(a)(1), amended
subsec. (a) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (a)
read as follows: ‘‘Whoever violates any provision of this
chapter or knowingly makes any false statement or
representation with respect to the information required
by the provisions of 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, 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.’’
Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 99–308, § 104(a)(2)(C)–(E), designated existing provision as par. (1), and substituted
‘‘violence or drug trafficking crime,’’ for ‘‘violence’’ in
four places and inserted ‘‘, and if the firearm is a machinegun, or is equipped with a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, to imprisonment for ten years’’ after ‘‘five
years’’, ‘‘, and if the firearm is a machinegun, or is
equipped with a firearm silencer or firearm muffler, to
imprisonment for twenty years’’ after ‘‘ten years’’, and
‘‘or drug trafficking crime’’ before ‘‘in which the firearm was used or carried’’.
Subsec. (c)(2), (3). Pub. L. 99–308, § 104(a)(2)(F), added
pars. (2) and (3).
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–308, § 104(a)(3), amended subsec.
(d) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (d) read as
follows: ‘‘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 defined in section 5845(a)
of that Code, shall, so far as applicable, extend to seizures and forfeitures under the provisions of this chapter.’’
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted ‘‘Internal
Revenue Code of 1986’’ for ‘‘Internal Revenue Code of
1954’’.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 99–308, § 104(a)(4), added subsec.
(e).

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 99–570, § 1402(a), substituted
‘‘for a violent felony or a serious drug offense, or both’’
for ‘‘for robbery or burglary, or both’’.
Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 99–570, § 1402(b), amended par.
(2) generally, substituting provisions defining terms
‘‘serious drug offense’’ and ‘‘violent felony’’ for provisions defining ‘‘robbery’’ and ‘‘burglary’’.
1984—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 98–473, § 223(a), which directed amendment of subsec. (a) by striking out ‘‘, and
shall become eligible for parole as the Board of Parole
shall determine’’ effective Nov. 1, 1987, pursuant to section 235 of Pub. L. 98–473, as amended, could not be executed because quoted language no longer appears due to
general amendment of subsec. (a) by Pub. L. 99–308,
§ 104(a)(1). See 1986 Amendment note above.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 98–473, § 1005(a), amended subsec.
(c) generally, substituting provisions setting forth
mandatory, determinate sentence for persons who use
or carry firearms during and in relation to any Federal
crime of violence for provisions setting out a minimum
sentencing scheme for the use or carrying, unlawfully,
of a firearm during a Federal felony.
1971—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 91–644, in first sentence, substituted ‘‘felony for which he’’ for ‘‘felony which’’ in
items (1) and (2) and inserted ‘‘, in addition to the punishment provided for the commission of such felony,’’
before ‘‘be sentenced’’, and in second sentence substituted ‘‘for not less than two nor more than twentyfive years’’ for ‘‘for not less than five years nor more
than 25 years’’, inserted ‘‘in the case of a second or subsequent conviction’’ after ‘‘suspend the sentence’’, and
prohibited term of imprisonment imposed under this
subsec. to run concurrently with any term for commission of the felony.
1968—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90–618 inserted provision authorizing the Board of Parole to grant parole to a person convicted under this chapter.
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 90–618 inserted ‘‘or any ammunition’’ after ‘‘a firearm’’.
Subsecs. (c), (d). Pub. L. 90–618 added subsec. (c), redesignated former subsec. (c) as (d), and as so redesignated, substituted ‘‘section 5845(a) of that Code’’ for
‘‘section 5848(1) of said Code’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 2005 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 5(c)(2) of Pub. L. 109–92 effective 180 days after Oct. 26, 2005, see section 5(d) of Pub.
L. 109–92, set out as a note under section 922 of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1996 AMENDMENT
Section 603(m)(2) of Pub. L. 104–294 provided that:
‘‘The amendments made by paragraph (1) [amending
this section] shall take effect as if the amendments had
been included in section 110507 of the Act referred to in
paragraph (1) [Pub. L. 103–322] on the date of the enactment of such Act [Sept. 13, 1994].’’
Section 603(p)(2) of Pub. L. 104–294 provided that:
‘‘The amendment made by paragraph (1) [amending this
section] shall take effect as if the amendment had been
included in section 110102(c)(2) of the Act referred to in
paragraph (1) [Pub. L. 103–322] on the date of the enactment of such Act [Sept. 13, 1994].’’
EFFECTIVE AND TERMINATION DATES OF 1994
AMENDMENT
Amendment by sections 110102(c) and 110103(c) of Pub.
L. 103–322 repealed 10 years after Sept. 13, 1994, see section 110105(2) of Pub. L. 103–322, formerly set out as a
note under section 921 of this title.
Section 330011(i) of Pub. L. 103–322 provided that the
amendment made by that section is effective as of the
date on which section 3528 of Pub. L. 101–647 took effect.
Section 330011(j) of Pub. L. 103–322 provided that the
amendment made by that section is effective as of the
date on which section 3527 of Pub. L. 101–647 took effect.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 1702(b)(3) of Pub. L. 101–647 applicable to conduct engaged in after end of 60-day pe-

§ 925

riod beginning on Nov. 29, 1990, see section 1702(b)(4) of
Pub. L. 101–647, set out as a note under section 921 of
this title.
Section 2203(d) of Pub. L. 101–647 provided that the
amendment by that section is effective with respect to
any offense committed after Nov. 1, 1987.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT; SUNSET
PROVISION
Amendment by section 2(b) of Pub. L. 100–649 effective 30th day beginning after Nov. 10, 1988, and amendment by section 2(f)(2)(B), (D) effective 25 years after
such effective date, see section 2(f) of Pub. L. 100–649, as
amended, set out as a note under section 922 of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–308 effective 180 days after
May 19, 1986, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 99–308, set out
as a note under section 921 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Amendment by section 223(a) of Pub. L. 98–473 effective Nov. 1, 1987, and applicable only to offenses committed after the taking effect of such amendment, see
section 235(a)(1) of Pub. L. 98–473, set out as an Effective Date note under section 3551 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1968 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–618 effective Dec. 16, 1968,
see section 105 of Pub. L. 90–618, set out as a note under
section 921 of this title.

§ 925. Exceptions: Relief from disabilities
(a)(1) The provisions of this chapter, except for
sections 922(d)(9) and 922(g)(9) and provisions relating to firearms subject to the prohibitions of
section 922(p), shall not apply with respect to
the transportation, shipment, receipt, possession, or importation of any firearm 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, except for
provisions relating to firearms subject to the
prohibitions of section 922(p), 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 before the repeal of such section
by section 1624(a) of the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety
Act, 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, except for provisions relating to firearms
subject to the prohibitions of section 922(p), or
any other Federal 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 Department of Defense, whose entire membership is composed of
such members, and such members or clubs may
receive a firearm or ammunition determined by
the Attorney General to be generally recognized
as particularly suitable for sporting purposes
and intended for the personal use of such member or club.

§ 925

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

(4) When established to the satisfaction of the
Attorney General to be consistent with the provisions of this chapter, except for provisions relating to firearms subject to the prohibitions of
section 922(p), and other applicable Federal and
State laws and published ordinances, the Attorney General may 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 Attorney General 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 paragraph (3) of this subsection, the term ‘‘United States’’ means each of
the several States and the District of Columbia.
(b) A licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector who
is indicted for a crime punishable by imprisonment 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 is prohibited from possessing,
shipping, transporting, or receiving firearms or
ammunition may make application to the Attorney General for relief from the disabilities
imposed by Federal laws with respect to the acquisition, receipt, transfer, shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms, and the Attorney General may grant such relief if it is established to his satisfaction that the circumstances
regarding the disability, 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. Any person whose application for relief
from disabilities is denied by the Attorney General 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. 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, shall not
be barred by such disability from further operations under his license pending final action on
an application for relief filed pursuant to this
section. Whenever the Attorney General grants
relief to any person pursuant to this section he
shall promptly publish in the Federal Register
notice of such action, together with the reasons
therefor.
(d) The Attorney General shall authorize a
firearm or ammunition to be imported or

Page 242

brought into the United States or any possession thereof if 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 defined in section 5845(b) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (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 1986
and is generally recognized as particularly
suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting
purposes, excluding surplus military firearms,
except in any case where the Attorney General
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; or
(4) was previously taken out of the United
States or a possession by the person who is
bringing in the firearm or ammunition.
The Attorney General shall permit the conditional importation or bringing in of a firearm or
ammunition for examination and testing in connection 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.
(e) Notwithstanding any other provision of
this title, the Attorney General shall authorize
the importation of, by any licensed importer,
the following:
(1) All rifles and shotguns listed as curios or
relics by the Attorney General pursuant to
section 921(a)(13), and
(2) All handguns, listed as curios or relics by
the Attorney General pursuant to section
921(a)(13), provided that such handguns are
generally recognized as particularly suitable
for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.
(f) The Attorney General shall not authorize,
under subsection (d), the importation of any
firearm the importation of which is prohibited
by section 922(p).
(Added Pub. L. 90–351, title IV, § 902, June 19,
1968, 82 Stat. 233; amended Pub. L. 90–618, title I,
§ 102, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1224; Pub. L. 98–573,
title II, § 233, Oct. 30, 1984, 98 Stat. 2991; Pub. L.
99–308, § 105, May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 459; Pub. L.
99–514, § 2, Oct. 22, 1986, 100 Stat. 2095; Pub. L.
100–649, § 2(c), (f)(2)(C), (E), Nov. 10, 1988, 102 Stat.
3817, 3818; Pub. L. 101–647, title XXII, § 2203(b),
(c), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4857; Pub. L. 104–106,
div. A, title XVI, § 1624(b)(3), Feb. 10, 1996, 110
Stat. 522; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(f)
[title VI, § 658(d)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat.
3009–314, 3009–372; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI,
§ 607(c), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3511; Pub. L.
107–296, title XI, § 1112(f)(6), Nov. 25, 2002, 116
Stat. 2276; Pub. L. 108–174, § 1(3), Dec. 9, 2003, 117
Stat. 2481.)
AMENDMENT OF SECTION
Pub. L. 100–649, § 2(f)(2)(C), (E), Nov. 10, 1988,
102 Stat. 3818, as amended by Pub. L. 105–277,

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

div. A, § 101(h) [title VI, § 649], Oct. 21, 1998, 112
Stat. 2681–480, 2681–528; Pub. L. 108–174, § 1(1),
(3), Dec. 9, 2003, 117 Stat. 2481, provided that,
effective 25 years after the 30th day beginning
after Nov. 10, 1988, subsection (a) of this section
is amended by striking ‘‘and provisions relating
to firearms subject to the prohibitions of section
922(p)’’ in par. (1), striking ‘‘, except for provisions relating to firearms subject to the prohibitions of section 922(p),’’ in par. (2), and striking
‘‘except for provisions relating to firearms subject to the prohibitions of section 922(p),’’ in
pars. (3) and (4) and subsection (f) of this section is repealed.
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 4308 of title 10 before the repeal of such section by section 1624(a) of the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms Safety Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(2)(A), means section 4308 of Title
10, Armed Forces, prior to repeal by section 1624(a)(1) of
Pub. L. 104–106, div. A, title XVI, Feb. 10, 1996, 110 Stat.
522.
Section 5845(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
referred to in subsec. (d)(2), is classified to section
5845(b) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.
Section 5845(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986,
referred to in subsec. (d)(3), is classified to section
5845(a) of Title 26.
AMENDMENTS
2002—Subsecs. (a), (c) to (f). Pub. L. 107–296, which directed amendment of this section by substituting ‘‘Attorney General’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’ wherever appearing,
was executed by making the substitution wherever appearing in subsecs. (a)(4) and (c) to (f), by not making
the substitution for ‘‘Secretary of the Army’’ in subsec.
(a)(2), and by substituting ‘‘Attorney General’’ for
‘‘Secretary of the Treasury’’ in subsec. (a)(3), to reflect
the probable intent of Congress.
1996—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 104–208 inserted ‘‘sections
922(d)(9) and 922(g)(9) and’’ after ‘‘except for’’.
Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 104–106 inserted ‘‘before the
repeal of such section by section 1624(a) of the Corporation for the Promotion of Rifle Practice and Firearms
Safety Act’’ after ‘‘section 4308 of title 10’’.
Subsec. (a)(5). Pub. L. 104–294 substituted ‘‘For the
purpose of paragraph (3)’’ for ‘‘For the purpose of paragraphs (3) and (4)’’.
1990—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2203(b), inserted
‘‘possession,’’ before ‘‘or importation’’.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2203(c), substituted ‘‘regarding the disability’’ for ‘‘regarding the conviction’’
and ‘‘barred by such disability’’ for ‘‘barred by such
conviction’’ and struck out ‘‘by reason of such a conviction’’ after ‘‘incurred under this chapter’’.
1988—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 100–649, § 2(c)(1), inserted
‘‘, except for provisions relating to firearms subject to
the prohibitions of section 922(p),’’ after ‘‘chapter’’ in
pars. (1) to (4).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 100–649, § 2(c)(2), added subsec. (f).
1986—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 99–308, § 105(1), substituted
‘‘is prohibited from possessing, shipping, transporting,
or receiving firearms or ammunition’’ for ‘‘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)’’ and
‘‘shipment, transportation, or possession of firearms,
and’’ for ‘‘shipment, or possession of firearms and incurred by reason of such conviction, and’’ and inserted
provision that any person whose application for relief
has been denied may file for judicial relief of such denial and that the court may admit additional evidence
to avoid a miscarriage of justice.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 99–308, § 105(2)(A), (B), (D), in provision preceding par. (1) substituted ‘‘shall authorize’’
for ‘‘may authorize’’ and struck out ‘‘the person im-

§ 925

porting or bringing in the firearm or ammunition establishes to the satisfaction of the Secretary that’’
after ‘‘thereof if’’, and in provision following par. (4)
substituted ‘‘shall permit’’ for ‘‘may permit’’.
Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted ‘‘Internal
Revenue Code of 1986’’ for ‘‘Internal Revenue Code of
1954’’.
Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 99–514 substituted ‘‘Internal
Revenue Code of 1986’’ for ‘‘Internal Revenue Code of
1954’’.
Pub. L. 99–308, § 105(2)(C), inserted ‘‘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’’.
1984—Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 98–573 added subsec. (e).
1968—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 90–618 redesignated existing
provisions as par. (1), made minor changes in phraseology, and added pars. (2) to (5).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 90–618 added licensed collectors to
the enumerated list of licensees.
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 90–618 substituted ‘‘imposed by
Federal laws with respect to the acquisition, receipt,
transfer, shipment, or possession of firearms and’’ for
‘‘under this chapter’’, ‘‘to act in a manner dangerous to
public safety’’ for ‘‘to conduct his operations in an unlawful manner,’’ and ‘‘licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector’’ for ‘‘licensee’’.
Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 90–618 made minor changes in
phraseology, subjected ammunition to the authority of
the Secretary in text preceding par. (1), substituted
‘‘section 5845(b)’’ for ‘‘section 5848(2)’’ in par. (2), substituted ‘‘section 5845(a)’’ for ‘‘section 5848(1)’’ and ‘‘excluding surplus military firearms’’ for ‘‘and in the case
of surplus military firearms is a rifle or shotgun’’ in
par. (3), inserted ‘‘or ammunition’’ after ‘‘the firearm’’
in par. (4), and authorized the Secretary to permit the
importation of ammunition for examination and testing in text following par. (4).
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 1996 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 104–106 effective on the earlier
of the date on which the Secretary of the Army submits a certification in accordance with section 5523 of
[former] Title 36, Patriotic Societies and Observances,
or Oct. 1, 1996, see section 1624(c) of Pub. L. 104–106, set
out as a note under section 4316 of Title 10, Armed
Forces.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1988 AMENDMENT; SUNSET
PROVISION
Amendment by section 2(c) of Pub. L. 100–649 effective
30th day beginning after Nov. 10, 1988, and amendment
by section 2(f)(2)(C), (E) effective 25 years after such effective date, see section 2(f) of Pub. L. 100–649, as
amended, set out as a note under section 922 of this
title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–308 applicable to any action, petition, or appellate proceeding pending on May
19, 1986, see section 110(b) of Pub. L. 99–308, set out as
a note under section 921 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1984 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 98–573 effective 15th day after
Oct. 30, 1984, see section 214(a), (b) of Pub. L. 98–573, set
out as a note under section 1304 of Title 19, Customs
Duties.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1968 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–618 effective Dec. 16, 1968,
except subsecs. (a)(1) and (d) effective Oct. 22, 1968, see

§ 925A

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

section 105 of Pub. L. 90–618, set out as a note under section 921 of this title.

§ 925A. Remedy for erroneous denial of firearm
Any person denied a firearm pursuant to subsection (s) or (t) of section 922—
(1) due to the provision of erroneous information relating to the person by any State or
political subdivision thereof, or by the national instant criminal background check system established under section 103 of the Brady
Handgun Violence Prevention Act; or
(2) who was not prohibited from receipt of a
firearm pursuant to subsection (g) or (n) of
section 922,
may bring an action against the State or political subdivision responsible for providing the erroneous information, or responsible for denying
the transfer, or against the United States, as the
case may be, for an order directing that the erroneous information be corrected or that the
transfer be approved, as the case may be. In any
action under this section, the court, in its discretion, may allow the prevailing party a reasonable attorney’s fee as part of the costs.
(Added Pub. L. 103–159, title I, § 104(a), Nov. 30,
1993, 107 Stat. 1543.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
Section 103 of the Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act, referred to in par. (1), is section 103 of Pub. L.
103–159, which is set out as a note under section 922 of
this title.

§ 926. Rules and regulations
(a) The Attorney General may prescribe only
such rules and regulations as are necessary to
carry out the provisions of this chapter, including—
(1) regulations providing that a person licensed under this chapter, when dealing with
another person so licensed, shall provide such
other licensed person a certified copy of this
license;
(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 paragraph (1) of this subsection; and
(3) regulations providing for effective receipt
and secure storage of firearms relinquished by
or seized from persons described in subsection
(d)(8) or (g)(8) of section 922.
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 chapter 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. Nothing in this section
expands or restricts the Secretary’s 1 authority
to inquire into the disposition of any firearm in
the course of a criminal investigation.
(b) The Attorney General shall give not less
than ninety days public notice, and shall afford
1 So

in original. Probably should be ‘‘Attorney General’s’’.

Page 244

interested parties opportunity for hearing, before prescribing such rules and regulations.
(c) The Attorney General shall not prescribe
rules or regulations that require purchasers of
black powder under the exemption provided in
section 845(a)(5) of this title to complete affidavits or forms attesting to that exemption.
(Added Pub. L. 90–351, title IV, § 902, June 19,
1968, 82 Stat. 234; amended Pub. L. 90–618, title I,
§ 102, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1226; Pub. L. 99–308,
§ 106, May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 459; Pub. L. 103–322,
title XI, § 110401(d), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2015;
Pub. L. 107–296, title XI, § 1112(f)(6), Nov. 25, 2002,
116 Stat. 2276.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The date of the enactment of the Firearms Owners’
Protection Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is the date of
enactment of Pub. L. 99–308, which was approved May
19, 1986.
AMENDMENTS
2002—Subsecs. (a) to (c). Pub. L. 107–296 substituted
‘‘Attorney General’’ for ‘‘Secretary’’.
1994—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 103–322 added par. (3).
1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–308, § 106(1)–(4), designated existing provision as subsec. (a), and in subsec.
(a) as so designated, in provision preceding par. (1) substituted ‘‘may prescribe only’’ for ‘‘may prescribe’’ and
‘‘as are’’ for ‘‘as he deems reasonably’’, and in closing
provision substituted provision that no rule or regulation prescribed after May 19, 1986, require that records
required under this chapter be recorded at or transferred to a facility owned, managed, or controlled by
the United States or any State or political subdivision
thereof, nor any system of registration of firearms,
firearms owners, or firearms transactions or dispositions be established and that nothing in this section expand or restrict the authority of the Secretary to inquire into the disposition of any firearm in the course
of a criminal investigation for provision that the Secretary give reasonable public notice, and afford an opportunity for a hearing, prior to prescribing rules and
regulations.
Subsecs. (b), (c). Pub. L. 99–308, § 106(5), added subsecs.
(b) and (c).
1968—Pub. L. 90–618 inserted provisions authorizing
the Secretary to prescribe regulations requiring a licensee, when dealing with another licensee, to provide
such other licensee a certified copy of the license, and
regulations authorizing the issuance of certified copies
of the license required under this chapter.
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 1986 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–308 effective 180 days after
May 19, 1986, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 99–308, set out
as a note under section 921 of this title.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1968 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–618 effective Dec. 16, 1968,
see section 105 of Pub. L. 90–618, set out as a note under
section 921 of this title.

§ 926A. Interstate transportation of firearms
Notwithstanding any other provision of any
law or any rule or regulation of a State or any
political subdivision thereof, any person who is
not otherwise prohibited by this chapter from
transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm

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TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

shall be entitled to transport a firearm for any
lawful purpose from any place where he may
lawfully possess and carry such firearm to any
other place where he may lawfully possess and
carry such firearm if, during such transportation the firearm is unloaded, and neither the
firearm nor any ammunition being transported
is readily accessible or is directly accessible
from the passenger compartment of such transporting vehicle: Provided, That in the case of a
vehicle without a compartment separate from
the driver’s compartment the firearm or ammunition shall be contained in a locked container
other than the glove compartment or console.
(Added Pub. L. 99–360, § 1(a), July 8, 1986, 100
Stat. 766.)
PRIOR PROVISIONS
A prior section 926A, added Pub. L. 99–308, § 107(a),
May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 460, provided that any person not
prohibited by this chapter from transporting, shipping,
or receiving a firearm be entitled to transport an unloaded, not readily accessible firearm in interstate
commerce notwithstanding any provision of any legislation enacted, or rule or regulation prescribed by any
State or political subdivision thereof, prior to repeal by
Pub. L. 99–360, § 1(a).
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective on date on which Firearms Owners’
Protection Act, Pub. L. 99–308, became effective, see
section 2 of Pub. L. 99–360, set out as an Effective Date
of 1986 Amendments note under section 921 of this title.

§ 926B. Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified law enforcement officers
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the
law of any State or any political subdivision
thereof, an individual who is a qualified law enforcement officer and who is carrying the identification required by subsection (d) may carry a
concealed firearm that has been shipped or
transported in interstate or foreign commerce,
subject to subsection (b).
(b) This section shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that—
(1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed
firearms on their property; or
(2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.
(c) As used in this section, the term ‘‘qualified
law enforcement officer’’ means an employee of
a governmental agency who—
(1) is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of
any person for, any violation of law, and has
statutory powers of arrest;
(2) is authorized by the agency to carry a
firearm;
(3) is not the subject of any disciplinary action by the agency which could result in suspension or loss of police powers;
(4) meets standards, if any, established by
the agency which require the employee to regularly qualify in the use of a firearm;
(5) is not under the influence of alcohol or
another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or
substance; and

§ 926C

(6) is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.
(d) The identification required by this subsection is the photographic identification issued
by the governmental agency for which the individual is employed as a law enforcement officer.
(e) As used in this section, the term ‘‘firearm’’—
(1) except as provided in this subsection, has
the same meaning as in section 921 of this
title;
(2) includes ammunition not expressly prohibited by Federal law or subject to the provisions of the National Firearms Act; and
(3) does not include—
(A) any machinegun (as defined in section
5845 of the National Firearms Act);
(B) any firearm silencer (as defined in section 921 of this title); and
(C) any destructive device (as defined in
section 921 of this title).
(f) For the purposes of this section, a law enforcement officer of the Amtrak Police Department, a law enforcement officer of the Federal
Reserve, or a law enforcement or police officer
of the executive branch of the Federal Government qualifies as an employee of a governmental agency who is authorized by law to engage in or supervise the prevention, detection,
investigation, or prosecution of, or the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and
has statutory powers of arrest.
(Added Pub. L. 108–277, § 2(a), July 22, 2004, 118
Stat. 865; amended Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(a), (b),
Oct. 12, 2010, 124 Stat. 2855.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The National Firearms Act, referred to in subsec. (e),
is classified generally to chapter 53 (§ 5801 et seq.) of
Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. See section 5849 of
Title 26. Section 5845 of the Act is classified to section
5845 of Title 26.
AMENDMENTS
2010—Subsec. (c)(3). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(a)(1), inserted
‘‘which could result in suspension or loss of police powers’’ after ‘‘agency’’.
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(b), added subsec. (e)
and struck out former subsec. (e) which read as follows:
‘‘As used in this section, the term ‘firearm’ does not include—
‘‘(1) any machinegun (as defined in section 5845 of
the National Firearms Act);
‘‘(2) any firearm silencer (as defined in section 921
of this title); and
‘‘(3) any destructive device (as defined in section 921
of this title).’’
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(a)(2), added subsec. (f).

§ 926C. Carrying of concealed firearms by qualified retired law enforcement officers
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of the
law of any State or any political subdivision
thereof, an individual who is a qualified retired
law enforcement officer and who is carrying the
identification required by subsection (d) may
carry a concealed firearm that has been shipped
or transported in interstate or foreign commerce, subject to subsection (b).
(b) This section shall not be construed to supersede or limit the laws of any State that—

§ 926C

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

(1) permit private persons or entities to prohibit or restrict the possession of concealed
firearms on their property; or
(2) prohibit or restrict the possession of firearms on any State or local government property, installation, building, base, or park.

Page 246

the agency to carry a firearm of the same type
as the concealed firearm; or
(2)(A) a photographic identification issued
by the agency from which the individual separated from service as a law enforcement officer; and
(B) a certification issued by the State in
which the individual resides or by a certified
firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active
duty officers within that State that indicates
that the individual has, not less than 1 year
before the date the individual is carrying the
concealed firearm, been tested or otherwise
found by the State or a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers
within that State to have met—
(I) the active duty standards for qualification in firearms training, as established by
the State, to carry a firearm of the same
type as the concealed firearm; or
(II) if the State has not established such
standards, standards set by any law enforcement agency within that State to carry a
firearm of the same type as the concealed
firearm.

(c) As used in this section, the term ‘‘qualified
retired law enforcement officer’’ means an individual who—
(1) separated from service in good standing
from service with a public agency as a law enforcement officer;
(2) before such separation, was authorized by
law to engage in or supervise the prevention,
detection, investigation, or prosecution of, or
the incarceration of any person for, any violation of law, and had statutory powers of arrest;
(3)(A) before such separation, served as a law
enforcement officer for an aggregate of 10
years or more; or
(B) separated from service with such agency,
after completing any applicable probationary
period of such service, due to a service-connected disability, as determined by such agency;
(4) during the most recent 12-month period,
has met, at the expense of the individual, the
standards for qualification in firearms training for active law enforcement officers, as determined by the former agency of the individual, the State in which the individual resides
or, if the State has not established such standards, either a law enforcement agency within
the State in which the individual resides or
the standards used by a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for active duty officers
within that State;
(5)(A) has not been officially found by a
qualified medical professional employed by
the agency to be unqualified for reasons relating to mental health and as a result of this
finding will not be issued the photographic
identification as described in subsection (d)(1);
or
(B) has not entered into an agreement with
the agency from which the individual is separating from service in which that individual
acknowledges he or she is not qualified under
this section for reasons relating to mental
health and for those reasons will not receive
or accept the photographic identification as
described in subsection (d)(1);
(6) is not under the influence of alcohol or
another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or
substance; and
(7) is not prohibited by Federal law from receiving a firearm.

The National Firearms Act, referred to in subsec.
(e)(1)(B), (C)(i), is classified generally to chapter 53
(§ 5801 et seq.) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code. See
section 5849 of Title 26. Section 5845 of such Act is classified to section 5845 of Title 26.

(d) The identification required by this subsection is—
(1) a photographic identification issued by
the agency from which the individual separated from service as a law enforcement officer that indicates that the individual has, not
less recently than one year before the date the
individual is carrying the concealed firearm,
been tested or otherwise found by the agency
to meet the active duty standards for qualification in firearms training as established by

2010—Subsec. (c)(1). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c)(1)(A), substituted ‘‘separated from service’’ for ‘‘retired’’ and
struck out ‘‘, other than for reasons of mental instability’’ after ‘‘officer’’.
Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c)(1)(B), substituted
‘‘separation’’ for ‘‘retirement’’.
Subsec. (c)(3)(A). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c)(1)(C)(i), substituted ‘‘separation, served as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 10 years or more’’ for ‘‘retirement, was regularly employed as a law enforcement officer for an aggregate of 15 years or more’’.

(e) As used in this section—
(1) the term ‘‘firearm’’—
(A) except as provided in this paragraph,
has the same meaning as in section 921 of
this title;
(B) includes ammunition not expressly
prohibited by Federal law or subject to the
provisions of the National Firearms Act; and
(C) does not include—
(i) any machinegun (as defined in section
5845 of the National Firearms Act);
(ii) any firearm silencer (as defined in
section 921 of this title); and
(iii) any destructive device (as defined in
section 921 of this title); and
(2) the term ‘‘service with a public agency as
a law enforcement officer’’ includes service as
a law enforcement officer of the Amtrak Police Department, service as a law enforcement
officer of the Federal Reserve, or service as a
law enforcement or police officer of the executive branch of the Federal Government.
(Added Pub. L. 108–277, § 3(a), July 22, 2004, 118
Stat. 866; amended Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c), Oct. 12,
2010, 124 Stat. 2855.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT

AMENDMENTS

Page 247

§ 929

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

Subsec. (c)(3)(B). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c)(1)(C)(ii), substituted ‘‘separated’’ for ‘‘retired’’.
Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c)(1)(D), added par.
(4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows:
‘‘has a nonforfeitable right to benefits under the retirement plan of the agency;’’.
Subsec. (c)(5). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c)(1)(E), added par.
(5) and struck out former par. (5) which read as follows:
‘‘during the most recent 12-month period, has met, at
the expense of the individual, the State’s standards for
training and qualification for active law enforcement
officers to carry firearms;’’.
Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c)(2)(A), substituted
‘‘separated’’ for ‘‘retired’’ and ‘‘to meet the active duty
standards for qualification in firearms training as established by the agency to carry a firearm of the same
type as the concealed firearm’’ for ‘‘to meet the standards established by the agency for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a
firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm’’.
Subsec. (d)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c)(2)(B)(i), substituted ‘‘separated’’ for ‘‘retired’’.
Subsec. (d)(2)(B). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c)(2)(B)(ii), substituted ‘‘or by a certified firearms instructor that is
qualified to conduct a firearms qualification test for
active duty officers within that State that indicates
that the individual has, not less than 1 year before the
date the individual is carrying the concealed firearm,
been tested or otherwise found by the State or a certified firearms instructor that is qualified to conduct a
firearms qualification test for active duty officers
within that State to have met—’’ for ‘‘that indicates
that the individual has, not less recently than one year
before the date the individual is carrying the concealed
firearm, been tested or otherwise found by the State to
meet the standards established by the State for training and qualification for active law enforcement officers to carry a firearm of the same type as the concealed firearm.’’ and added cls. (I) and (II).
Subsec. (e). Pub. L. 111–272, § 2(c)(3), added subsec. (e)
and struck out former subsec. (e) which read as follows:
‘‘As used in this section, the term ‘firearm’ does not include—
‘‘(1) any machinegun (as defined in section 5845 of
the National Firearms Act);
‘‘(2) any firearm silencer (as defined in section 921
of this title); and
‘‘(3) a destructive device (as defined in section 921 of
this title).’’

§ 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.
(Added Pub. L. 90–351, title IV, § 902, June 19,
1968, 82 Stat. 234; amended Pub. L. 90–618, title I,
§ 102, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1226.)
AMENDMENTS
1968—Pub. L. 90–618 struck out ‘‘or possession’’ after
‘‘State’’ wherever appearing.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1968 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–618 effective Dec. 16, 1968,
see section 105 of Pub. L. 90–618, set out as a note under
section 921 of this title.

§ 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.
(Added Pub. L. 90–351, title IV, § 902, June 19,
1968, 82 Stat. 234; amended Pub. L. 90–618, title I,
§ 102, Oct. 22, 1968, 82 Stat. 1226.)
AMENDMENTS
1968—Pub.
change.

L.

90–618

reenacted

section

without

EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1968 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 90–618 effective Dec. 16, 1968,
see section 105 of Pub. L. 90–618, set out as a note under
section 921 of this title.

§ 929. Use of restricted ammunition
(a)(1) Whoever, during and in relation to the
commission of a crime of violence or drug trafficking crime (including a crime of violence or
drug trafficking crime which provides for an enhanced punishment if committed by the use of a
deadly or dangerous weapon or device) for which
he may be prosecuted in a court of the United
States, uses or carries a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition capable of
being fired in that firearm, shall, in addition to
the punishment provided for the commission of
such crime of violence or drug trafficking crime
be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for not
less than five years.
(2) For purposes of this subsection, the term
‘‘drug trafficking crime’’ means any felony punishable under the Controlled Substances Act (21
U.S.C. 801 et seq.), the Controlled Substances
Import and Export Act (21 U.S.C. 951 et seq.), or
chapter 705 of title 46.
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, the court shall not suspend the sentence of
any person convicted of a violation of this section, nor place the person on probation, nor
shall the terms of imprisonment run concurrently with any other terms of imprisonment,
including that imposed for the crime in which
the armor piercing ammunition was used or possessed.
(Added Pub. L. 98–473, title II, § 1006(a), Oct. 12,
1984, 98 Stat. 2139; amended Pub. L. 99–308, § 108,
May 19, 1986, 100 Stat. 460; Pub. L. 99–408, § 8,
Aug. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 921; Pub. L. 100–690, title
VI, § 6212, title VII, § 7060(b), Nov. 18, 1988, 102
Stat. 4360, 4404; Pub. L. 107–273, div. B, title IV,
§ 4002(c)(4), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1809; Pub. L.
109–304, § 17(d)(4), Oct. 6, 2006, 120 Stat. 1707.)
REFERENCES IN TEXT
The Controlled Substances Act, referred to in subsec.
(a)(2), is title II of Pub. L. 91–513, Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat.
1242, as amended, which is classified principally to subchapter I (§ 801 et seq.) of chapter 13 of Title 21, Food
and Drugs. For complete classification of this Act to
the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 801
of Title 21 and Tables.
The Controlled Substances Import and Export Act,
referred to in subsec. (a)(2), is title III of Pub. L. 91–513,
Oct. 27, 1970, 84 Stat. 1285, as amended, which is classified principally to subchapter II (§ 951 et seq.) of chapter 13 of Title 21. For complete classification of this
Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 951 of Title 21 and Tables.

§ 930

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
AMENDMENTS

2006—Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 109–304 substituted ‘‘chapter 705 of title 46’’ for ‘‘the Maritime Drug Law Enforcement Act (46 U.S.C. App. 1901 et seq.)’’.
2002—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–273 struck out at end
‘‘No person sentenced under this section shall be eligible for parole during the term of imprisonment imposed
herein.’’
1988—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 100–690, § 7060(b), substituted ‘‘trafficking crime’’ for ‘‘trafficking crime,’’ in
three places.
Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 100–690, § 6212, amended par. (2)
generally. Prior to amendment, par. (2) read as follows:
‘‘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 substance (as defined in section 102 of the Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C.
802)).’’
1986—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 99–408, § 8(1), substituted
‘‘violence (including’’ for ‘‘violence including’’, ‘‘device) for’’ for ‘‘device for’’, ‘‘a firearm and is in possession of armor piercing ammunition capable of being
fired in that firearm’’ for ‘‘any handgun loaded with
armor-piercing ammunition as defined in subsection
(b)’’, and ‘‘five years’’ for ‘‘five nor more than ten
years’’, and struck out provisions relating to suspension of sentence, probation, concurrent sentence and
parole eligibility of any person convicted under this
subsection.
Pub. L. 99–308 designated existing provision as par.
(1), substituted ‘‘violence or drug trafficking crime,’’
for ‘‘violence’’ in three places, and added par. (2).
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–408, § 8(2), amended subsec. (b)
generally, substituting provisions that the court may
not suspend sentence of any person convicted of a violation of this section or place the person on probation,
that term of imprisonment may not run concurrently
with other terms of imprisonment, and that the person
is not eligible for parole during term of imprisonment,
for provisions defining ‘‘armor-piercing ammunition’’
and ‘‘handgun’’.
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1986 AMENDMENT
Amendment by Pub. L. 99–308 effective 180 days after
May 19, 1986, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 99–308, set out
as a note under section 921 of this title.

§ 930. Possession of firearms and dangerous
weapons in Federal facilities
(a) Except as provided in subsection (d), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present
a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a Federal facility (other than a Federal court facility), or attempts to do so, shall be fined under
this title or imprisoned not more than 1 year, or
both.
(b) Whoever, with intent that a firearm or
other dangerous weapon be used in the commission of a crime, knowingly possesses or causes
to be present such firearm or dangerous weapon
in a Federal facility, or attempts to do so, shall
be fined under this title or imprisoned not more
than 5 years, or both.
(c) A person who kills any person in the course
of a violation of subsection (a) or (b), or in the
course of an attack on a Federal facility involving the use of a firearm or other dangerous
weapon, or attempts or conspires to do such an
act, shall be punished as provided in sections
1111, 1112, 1113, and 1117.
(d) Subsection (a) shall not apply to—
(1) the lawful performance of official duties
by an officer, agent, or employee of the United
States, a State, or a political subdivision

Page 248

thereof, who is authorized by law to engage in
or supervise the prevention, detection, investigation, or prosecution of any violation of
law;
(2) the possession of a firearm or other dangerous weapon by a Federal official or a member of the Armed Forces if such possession is
authorized by law; or
(3) the lawful carrying of firearms or other
dangerous weapons in a Federal facility incident to hunting or other lawful purposes.
(e)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), whoever knowingly possesses or causes to be present
a firearm or other dangerous weapon in a Federal court facility, or attempts to do so, shall be
fined under this title, imprisoned not more than
2 years, or both.
(2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to conduct
which is described in paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (d).
(f) Nothing in this section limits the power of
a court of the United States to punish for contempt or to promulgate rules or orders regulating, restricting, or prohibiting the possession of
weapons within any building housing such court
or any of its proceedings, or upon any grounds
appurtenant to such building.
(g) As used in this section:
(1) The term ‘‘Federal facility’’ means a
building or part thereof owned or leased by the
Federal Government, where Federal employees
are regularly present for the purpose of performing their official duties.
(2) The term ‘‘dangerous weapon’’ means a
weapon, device, instrument, material, or substance, animate or inanimate, that is used for,
or is readily capable of, causing death or serious bodily injury, except that such term does
not include a pocket knife with a blade of less
than 21⁄2 inches in length.
(3) The term ‘‘Federal court facility’’ means
the courtroom, judges’ chambers, witness
rooms, jury deliberation rooms, attorney conference rooms, prisoner holding cells, offices
of the court clerks, the United States attorney, and the United States marshal, probation
and parole offices, and adjoining corridors of
any court of the United States.
(h) Notice of the provisions of subsections (a)
and (b) shall be posted conspicuously at each
public entrance to each Federal facility, and notice of subsection (e) shall be posted conspicuously at each public entrance to each Federal
court facility, and no person shall be convicted
of an offense under subsection (a) or (e) with respect to a Federal facility if such notice is not
so posted at such facility, unless such person
had actual notice of subsection (a) or (e), as the
case may be.
(Added Pub. L. 100–690, title VI, § 6215(a), Nov. 18,
1988, 102 Stat. 4361; amended Pub. L. 101–647, title
XXII, § 2205(a), Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4857; Pub.
L. 103–322, title VI, § 60014, Sept. 13, 1994, 108
Stat. 1973; Pub. L. 104–294, title VI, § 603(t), (u),
Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3506; Pub. L. 107–56, title
VIII, § 811(b), Oct. 26, 2001, 115 Stat. 381; Pub. L.
110–177, title II, § 203, Jan. 7, 2008, 121 Stat. 2537.)
AMENDMENTS
2008—Subsec. (e)(1). Pub. L. 110–177 inserted ‘‘or other
dangerous weapon’’ after ‘‘firearm’’.

Page 249

TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

2001—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 107–56 struck out ‘‘or attempts to kill’’ after ‘‘A person who kills’’, inserted ‘‘or
attempts or conspires to do such an act,’’ before ‘‘shall
be punished’’, and substituted ‘‘1113, and 1117’’ for ‘‘and
1113’’.
1996—Subsec. (e)(2). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(t), substituted ‘‘subsection (d)’’ for ‘‘subsection (c)’’.
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(u)(1), redesignated
subsec. (g), related to posting notice in Federal facilities, as (h).
Subsec. (h). Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(u)(2), substituted
‘‘(e)’’ for ‘‘(d)’’ wherever appearing.
Pub. L. 104–294, § 603(u)(1), redesignated subsec. (g), related to posting notice in Federal facilities, as (h).
1994—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 103–322, § 60014(2), substituted ‘‘(d)’’ for ‘‘(c)’’.
Subsecs. (c) to (g). Pub. L. 103–322, § 60014(1), (3), added
subsec. (c) and redesignated former subsecs. (c) to (f) as
(d) to (g), respectively.
1990—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2205(a)(1), inserted
‘‘(other than a Federal court facility)’’ after ‘‘Federal
facility’’.
Subsecs. (d), (e). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2205(a)(2), (3), added
subsec. (d) and redesignated former subsec. (d) as (e).
Former subsec. (e) redesignated (f).
Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2205(a)(2), redesignated
subsec. (e) as (f). Former subsec. (f) redesignated (g).
Subsec. (f)(3). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2205(a)(4), added par.
(3).
Subsec. (g). Pub. L. 101–647, § 2205(a)(5), inserted ‘‘and
notice of subsection (d) shall be posted conspicuously
at each public entrance to each Federal court facility,’’
after ‘‘each Federal facility,’’, ‘‘or (d)’’ before ‘‘with respect to’’, and ‘‘or (d), as the case may be’’ before the
period.
Pub. L. 101–647, § 2205(a)(2), redesignated subsec. (f) as
(g).
EFFECTIVE DATE OF 1990 AMENDMENT
Section 2205(b) of Pub. L. 101–647 provided that: ‘‘The
amendments made by subsection (a) [amending this
section] shall apply to conduct engaged in after the
date of the enactment of this Act [Nov. 29, 1990].’’

§ 931. Prohibition on purchase, ownership, or
possession of body armor by violent felons
(a) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in subsection (b), it shall be unlawful for a person to
purchase, own, or possess body armor, if that
person has been convicted of a felony that is—
(1) a crime of violence (as defined in section
16); or
(2) an offense under State law that would
constitute a crime of violence under paragraph
(1) if it occurred within the special maritime
and territorial jurisdiction of the United
States.
(b) AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE.—
(1) IN GENERAL.—It shall be an affirmative
defense under this section that—
(A) the defendant obtained prior written
certification from his or her employer that
the defendant’s purchase, use, or possession
of body armor was necessary for the safe performance of lawful business activity; and
(B) the use and possession by the defendant were limited to the course of such performance.
(2) EMPLOYER.—In this subsection, the term
‘‘employer’’ means any other individual employed by the defendant’s business that supervises defendant’s activity. If that defendant
has no supervisor, prior written certification
is acceptable from any other employee of the
business.

§ 951

(Added Pub. L. 107–273, div. C, title
§ 11009(e)(2)(A), Nov. 2, 2002, 116 Stat. 1821.)

I,

CHAPTER 45—FOREIGN RELATIONS
Sec.

951.
952.
953.

Agents of foreign governments.
Diplomatic codes and correspondence.
Private correspondence with foreign governments.
954.
False statements influencing foreign government.
955.
Financial transactions with foreign governments.
956.
Conspiracy to kill, kidnap, maim, or injure
persons or damage property in a foreign
country.
957.
Possession of property in aid of foreign government.
958.
Commission to serve against friendly nation.
959.
Enlistment in foreign service.
960.
Expedition against friendly nation.
961.
Strengthening armed vessel of foreign nation.
962.
Arming vessel against friendly nation.
963.
Detention of armed vessel.
964.
Delivering armed vessel to belligerent nation.
965.
Verified statements as prerequisite to vessel’s
departure.
966.
Departure of vessel forbidden for false statements.
967.
Departure of vessel forbidden in aid of neutrality.
[968, 969. Repealed.]
970.
Protection of property occupied by foreign
governments.
AMENDMENTS
1996—Pub. L. 104–132, title VII, § 704(b), Apr. 24, 1996,
110 Stat. 1295, substituted ‘‘Conspiracy to kill, kidnap,
maim, or injure persons or damage property in a foreign country’’ for ‘‘Conspiracy to injure property of foreign government’’ in item 956.
1990—Pub. L. 101–647, title XII, § 1207(a), title XXXV,
§ 3530, Nov. 29, 1990, 104 Stat. 4832, 4924, struck out item
968 ‘‘Exportation of war materials to certain countries’’
and item 969 ‘‘Exportation of arms, liquors and narcotics to Pacific Islands’’.
1972—Pub. L. 92–539, title IV, § 402, Oct. 24, 1972, 86
Stat. 1073, added item 970.

§ 951. Agents of foreign governments
(a) Whoever, other than a diplomatic or consular officer or attache´, acts in the United
States as an agent of a foreign government
without prior notification to the Attorney General if required in subsection (b), shall be fined
under this title or imprisoned not more than ten
years, or both.
(b) The Attorney General shall promulgate
rules and regulations establishing requirements
for notification.
(c) The Attorney General shall, upon receipt,
promptly transmit one copy of each notification
statement filed under this section to the Secretary of State for such comment and use as the
Secretary of State may determine to be appropriate from the point of view of the foreign relations of the United States. Failure of the Attorney General to do so shall not be a bar to prosecution under this section.
(d) For purposes of this section, the term
‘‘agent of a foreign government’’ means an individual who agrees to operate within the United
States subject to the direction or control of a
foreign government or official, except that such
term does not include—