U.S.

Department of Justice
Sureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives

lvwlv.atf.gov

REFER TO: 2015-0706

February 26,2016

/ l:15-cv-O1649

Mr. Stephen D. Stamboulieh

Stamboulieh Law, PLLC
P.O. Box 4008
Madison, MS 39130
Dear Mr. Stamboulieh:

This is in response to your client's March 6,2015 Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to
the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which is now part of ongoing
litigation.
response to the FOIA request, we have processed a total of 683 pages of potentially
responsive material. Of the 683 pages, I32 pages are being released to you in full and 407 pages
in part. We are withholding 144 pages in full. Each page of this production indicates whether it
is being released in full ("RIF") or released in part ("RIP"). Individual redactions identify the
exemption pursuant to which the redacted material has been withheld. If pages were withheld in
their entirety, a deletion sheet is included noting the reason for the withholding.

In

Sincerely,

"',*;{4e^
M. Boucher
Chief, Disclosure Division
Stephanie

Enclosure

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U,S. epart*ent af Ju.rtice

JAN

Srenu of Alcohsl, Tsbacco,

f,irearss :rntl Erplosives

O 2O5

93050:lEIIGll

331u2i{}4-60:l

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Ihis

refers ta your lettcr dated July 21, 2t4, to the Fircnrms Tcehnology Brch {FTB}, Br:reau

olAlcohel, 1.cbacco, Fireans and Explosives {,?Fi. regan!ing le ma,lufaelure and assernbly
of a

lf t* Rrssian Maxim.

ln yoer cnespondence you explained tht yu purchased a legally registered Maxim

yonr (ienn:n l98 Msxinr canfiglred side plate

ccafigured maehi*egun.

a:Td

parts kit to buile! a

lgl!

Russian Maxim

Because a check f National Fiearms,&ct Brach recsrfls indicates that y*ur side plate is
registered ar a lvtaxim 8115 model, FTB has detennined tht the only con*guration that can be
assembled utilieing your side plate and parls ki1 is a Mm SSli 5.
1Fe trust the fcregoing has been responsil/e t

or tequest end regret The delay in our repty

Sincerely yaurs,

SterlingNixcn
Chief, Fireann: Technology B*nch

RIP

U.S. Ilcparlmenl of Jrslicr

Burcau of Alcohol,Tobacco,
Flresrms nd Explosivcr

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?J.61

e0305(GIGD
331 11200872

This refen s our lcttcrof April 21, 2008, to thc Firsarms Thnclcy Sraneh {FTB}, Burcau of
Alcohol, Tobaccn* Firearn rd Explorives ('{TF}, rcgording a $bmittcd pmtotpa Your
rbmission is modifid PKM-yVe,7$2x54*.calibcr maehinogun **eivcr aseeinbly, whch
, ou ,*oa r*r-!certo. u!r rJrc
iru iayc 6-E-'8.* .-r-@
samnie in imreni tn -n risi fmm rhr s'mriri iur a@
".; 'o
dcsigned fior "cxctisive $se ir s MAC-tge

machincgunffi

Tbc submittEd samglc koto inrmcdirely bclox{ lr compriacd of rbc fello!'it csFonrts:

I Modicd pKbl.rp rscvcr, mrtcd rrirh r MAGrlc uppg,

r UnmodiftcdPtrtM.trpc topsov!f, end fecd-trrygscrably.
r Ncslyrnufchrdplrstic forcurr,
. shortcad?KM-t]"gsfyr!.
. Brr:elFpnximrcy I.
Modifcd PKM+pc mrchin$n bolr cricr asscmbty.
Pl(M-*pcboltasccnbln

RIP

-7-

Thc FIB cxmnetioo rolcd the follurvtng entemal martings

Ol,he

rilht

si4e

qltbc rscycf

III$TORICA&1lS t-t"C

I
a

,,.rY

( t5

Xt )
il

On thc ton of the feed.rrav esscmblv

a

*
I

ti ;
b X t

FT *xarination rttcd thc ?KM+1pc rcver$/s modili*d in tha followingmannor{sce

phetos,below

r
r

Thc lowcr rarr porlion oflbc mchiacgun rcccivcr rrlcrc the trggtr guard ir mounteil
d r boc ecfior of th rsr. rr$ ?mrvd.
The rc tamion/stock-mormting-bloc* wrs rerncycd,

RIP

.3-

mdif:ed MC-t}?c uppcrrsmbly was iErtcd ita thc rcr af tlrc PKIvI-irpc
mac$iaegun rccciver anil wclded in ptacc {rcc photos ,clorr and next pagc},

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ln addition. * msdificd PKM-typc mahinegun bolt+anier.group ws found instalfcd. The

follolin charactcrisriclfeaturcs of thi bolt cenier

t

ffi

wcrc notcd:

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RIP

-6-

LEfl-sidc guide-ril norch in thcbolr

3u.ill.bt
bmir*d samgl* was tcst fircd on May E, 2008, * th TF resl rng Martinrburg. Wc*t
Virginia utilizitg commcrcally rvailabt Wolf br*d, 7.62x5R cliber nnution. ue to rhe
rbscuc sf r nulisn block to hold tho tcoil
and
rod inplace, an lumiaum
The

1{ra5

rivc

tpc

t1i1t0

RIP

ry

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with

the sormal factory trigger removcd, thc openrling hsndle bcom* rlre triggerrvheh
iniliales tln aulomatic, opcn-holt liring *equcncc 1 belt aftbrec rsrds was adcd ito the
sample; the apcrating tranrilc rvas pullcd back rnrl rsleid^ The sarnple lired one round, and thc
plastic tias sarlcd under the recoil fsrcs,

Nexl, lo aorc eecurely hold lhe aluminum plate in pace, r satl scrisn olmelcl chin rl,,rs usct
(scc pholo, ne:rl pagc], Thc cbain w rclcclcd rincc it incorportcd a lcnsioning bolt that could
sccurcty hold thc aluninum platc in placc urd would nat becut by tlrc:ha cdgc of the
duminun: platc.

ga a bclt of threa raund of snmmition was loadcd i$o ihe eamptc; tc opcrrtiug hmdlc
war pullcd bact uld rclccd. Thc smplc rcd |l tlrsc ruurds ruama*eal *lrlout manl
rcladkg by * daglc funetion of thc tgcr. Thir txt rrr rc*rcd s,ilh . iddtionat thrc
roqd of mmtnition, with thc *me rcgult
the uc of r mcdicd ol did not rsmovc thc mrchin:gua fcatures of tbi
o'p+n.clt opcEtcd dsrlc,

botr I i till n

lr rcvivw of your modifieeronc of rc ?KM-tpe mrchinegun recciver. il *rs d{temid tbst

thc origire machincgua dcsigrr fcanredchctcristics sere raahed" Sprcitcatty, e PKM-rpe
'
lnac-bincgrsEeivcr: ar opcrolt friag mechmism; la criginal FKM-t,pc macliinegn bcli
fecd asmuitlon mcchi:r rnd bortmcd PKM-tc michincgur: acl, l ws Jctcrmincd
tlut a M.t'c-c nppar *srembly rras rycldcd to rhc PKM-t1gc mrchincgua rccrivcr, which
ellos lbePt(M-r1pc necbincgun recevcr to bc *uchcd ro a MC-tpcarrchincgm rcecivcr,
Thc modificstions do $o! tllorl far r houldcr tock, la*crd. *e intenr ie to usc the houlda
stock andilor pistol grip on tc MrtC-tpc maclrincgun rccei*rr to thich il is moracd. Ftthcr,
thc aaling af the tr+o rnrehinegun trcaivctr, simply altorvs thc M.C-tpc machinegun rlccivcr
to bc utilcd in kritiatiag thc ruomatie liring requcnea of rhc Pl(M-t1e mrchinegun rcccvcr.

It

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In ccnclusio, FTB found rhl fhc

;ubmtld wirh your
corrcspondcnce is a wcrpon *rat shoots
mre
ne
withcut manual
rcloa*Jing, by a sirgTe funcrion ofthe triggcr; it also
the frarac or rcccivsr ofa
machi*egan. ?'hEsfrc, thc submittcd samplc constirutes '-rna*hi*.gur" as dcfined in 26
u.s,c. $ J845(b).

With regard lo t$r rtqurst we determine if the submittcd samplc ir a ealibcrconvcrsion dcvcc
cr no. 'he weldr:g lf M,4,C+3c upper seclion o nrerol tofion sf your FKM-ty1e
recciver doe$ nrt eralc r caliber onversior. Fuilhcr, the cambilation ef th MAC-ty9c
maehincArn rad your PKM-tpc machincgun would rcsult in thc ceatioa cf a acw maehincgrn.
lVc rcgrel tlrt *ur rcrponsc in this matrer }s noi bce more fsvorable. Because your sample
constit$!$ 'lnachinegul," n and of ielf and you arc a rcgistcrcd SST, lhe machincgun must
bc pmpcrlyrcgistild rrirh thc ATF Xatiol Fircmrs ct Sranebyclosc of busicss of the
ncxt busioess day following your reee of this lctter. Plcasc notify FTB when thc rcgisrrarion
pnoccse is ccr:rpletc.
?he sarngle rvill bc rctumed to you under sarat ccver upon rcceipt of a notiee of propcr
rcgishstion. To expoditc thc rctum of pur protogrpe, plcasc providc FTB with ,our Fedr
accoul ntrnbt or thc' appropriatc carrirr informatior within 30 deys aRer ceilitrg this lctter.
We tnt the foregoing has bccn rcsponsivc to yo rcgut for n arduatien nd classificalion.
lf wc en bc rf any fr:rtrr rssisance, pbasc conlact ur"
Sinccrcly 1clrs,

,k*

Chicf, Yirearms Technology Brrnch

ll

RIP

U.S. DeprrtmeEt of

&rtl.

Burcsu of Alcohol. Tobcso.

f ircarme nd Exploeivcr

tlutlobu4,

Ltt

Y,']lr/,

ttlt

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fiAR

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Thi is in rcfcrcnc tc yqtrr

rcnt conxpondencc to c Burcsu af lcolpt. Tobco, Fitrmr

urd Explosives {ATF}, nhich vs forwerded fur rcply te the llrF Firs Tc}$elogy Banch
{FT3}. ln yoerrommunicatiorl you askabout thc cgdity of sombiningapo*ionof yct*
tewfirlly registerrd Chauclrat rnaehincgun with a portion of rn M4?-sytc machinegun.
Sperificalls you glan ta modify tJrc 'upgcr" portion of thir MC42 r,?e to acccpt dJ.laucr.

portion of ysu iuchat.

lthough ceaain maificr{oor to rtgistercd mrchincguu rrc pssiblc, tbc resultiag prodrct
must canxin a plopcrty rqieicrd lr l antan its lsgitimlc els*s. Your ffept invol's
thc csmbinrtion of * cr machlr*:gun nccirrcr (e modificd M64? cciver) and r qruntit of
mrchinegun parts {your Ckuchrt:dggcr-housing *rnbly}, Thc \pgcr* po*isn ofg ll{84?
typc machiacgun it ctaified rs the frane or ceiva for purposce afontrol rd rcountability
under the Gn Contml ltit ar Ntionl Fiffins ct Sinilady, thc'bppcr' porrlon of thc
Chascht has bca clssifcd the frnc or reccivcr, Aecordingly, the Chauclrat trigger
houirrg (by iaclf) ttrs ao *rtur rs * regisrcrtd mechlncgun rnd, thcrefore. caasar bc used ,r c
bis of a lcgitirt, moditid Chauchat-typc mrchinepn.

r you mry

be owatr. lhe mmrlbelurc cf ncw machincgunr hasbcen restictrd sincc Mey 9,

1986. Slncc thrt limc, rtcw machincguns tnly only be madc for ccrlain auttlorisd entries, such
as military units or law c*lortemcnt egencics. Ilrercforc, yoru cunently raposcd rctian ir nct

lawful,

Wc thonk y*u for your inguiry nd trut thc forcgcing lrrs bcen rcsponsive.

tour5,

R.
Tcchnology Branch

t2

RIP

BEFARTMENT OF TH TREASURY
uAU OFAT.COHO|- TOBC'AH F REARMS

oc r ? 0t3
eo3*00@
3311/2003-5s1

IIIGIIIIIIC'EEEXXIreE

Dear

?hs refers to yur Eax of ,fune 19, 2003. to the Bureau of

1cohol, Tobacco, fj.rearms and Explcsives {ATp} 1a which
you asic about changlag a Sten MKII rnachinegun o t'Kv
configuratio.
You are nct prohibited forn conveetinq a reqistered Sten
MKII to l'll{V configurton. ?he recevers for a Sten MfiII
and a !,lKV are essentially the sa*e ulth differeces in the
stack and barrel asae*rbly, I'then the madificationg are
cornplete, please notify l{f Branch that the changes have
een rnade so Lht our records r+ilL ref3ect the description
of tl:e firearm.

Please note, t is urlaful to reptace the receiver tube,

o renove, cbliterate, or alter any required idenlificaton
rnarkngs incLuding the serl-al number, the name of the
manufacturer, and th madel on the reistered xecelver as
prouided n section 5861{g} of the {f.

If ycu have further questions concerning t.his matter,

please con:act the NFA Branch at l2t?t92?-330 or vrj"teNational Frearms ct Srarch
Bureau of 1cohol, ?obaca, Firearms and $xplosves
65S MassachllsettF Avenue, Hlt, Room 30
Washington, C ?t7.26

rw."r.ft:At.{cv

13

RIP

'/
-2tle thank you for your ingulry and t'rst t.hat the foreoin
has been respcnslve,

SincereLy yurs,
?

8tarli

t{xon

Chiefr Fl.raarms Tech*ology

t4

Branch

RTP

t,

EFRTMNT ,F TH E TREA.SUFY
UREU (}F ALCIH()L, TOBACCO AH FlRtAlt,lS

oc I 2003

frffi
Dear

Sis or

e310w
331.1 :

203*698

fttFl
Madam:

?his is i,n respanse to your J.eLter dtd ugust 1,

24t2, o lhe Bureau of lcohol, lobacco, Firearns and
Explosives {TF}. Tn your letter, ycu ask about
modifying a lega-ly reg"islered St,en l{ark 2 rnachinegun
in order to make it look tike BriLish Lanchesler

machir:egun.

Sten gun receiv*r is a flrearm and a rnachneun as

def ined in Tj.lle 26, tjnited States Code {t .$"C, },
Chapter 53, sctin 5845tbl of the National firear:ns
ct {Nf'}. It is unlaful for nyrne to make or
possess a rnachineg*n, rhch ie not regslered in
accordance ith the provisons f the liF. It is
unlarf: for individuals to transfer r possess l
machinegun. which was not lawfulIy possessed pror to
!{ay 19, 1986 {19 U.S.C. Section 922{'ll.
You propcse to mcdify a reglslered Sten and instal
Lnchest,er machinegrur: parts. !e have previausiy
determl.ned tha Sten receiver can be lawfully
modlfied tc Lancast,er configuration in he fcLlouing
nanner:

1, Ke*p the Sten ejectlon pcrt, nagazine well opening

end cocking knoh slol opening in Lhe same lccations
as on the Sten :eceiver
2, Put a pernen sleeve int the Lanchester magazne
porL housing to permit the housing ta be installed
cx the S.en receiver,
3. lreld the tanchester barrel shroud fran the prts
set tc the front, of the Sten recelver.

wrYW.

^fF,1E^S.CAV

l5

RIF

-2-

W
4.Weld the original rear end of the tanchester end
cap locking asse:*bly fron th parts set to he rear
()f the Sten receiver.
3.lter the bolt handle position on the Lanchester
bolt to be co:npatible j.th the bolt handle slot in
the Sten receiver.
Based on the infor*tion provided and our reserch by
a comparative examination of a sa:nple of each weapcn
taken from our firearms reference coll"eclion, re have
determined ht the abcve modificaions are
satisfact,ory provided that no sgnificant alt*rtlns
are made tc the reist.ered Sten recelver, ,g.,
alterlng existing cutouts or making additianal

cutcuts. WetdinE Lhe Lnchester perforaEed ba*e1

shroud to tle front of the Sten receiver, iving the
Sten receiver an additanal I inches in length, and
welding the Lanchester end cap locking piece t the
rear of the receiver is acceptable.

Further, te seraI number and other required

identification af the nachinegun must not be
bliterated, tren:oved, cha*ged or altered {26 .S.C,
section 586f tgl ! . fler t? aterations are
perforned, nificat*n must be made to the Natirll
Fireanns Act Brach at A?f Headguarlers reflecting the
changes made to he di:iensions and descrplon cf Lhe
regislered. firear*.

thank you for your inquiry and trust that the

foregoing has been responsve.

!$e

Sincerely yours,

St,erling Nixon
Chef, Frearras lechnalcgy 3ra*ch

\
t6

RTP

9EPAFTI'IENT OF THE TREASURY

SURSAU F ALCOHOL rOtAgCO !tr!

FfiErn8

APPROUL AHD CLEA

et3s50:G[Gll
33

r.1/2003-4 0?

Dear

This rafers to your letter ta the Bure*u of Alcohsl'

Tcbcco, Firearns and Explosives {ATf} cf t{arch 22, 2003,
which accompanies the submission of two machinegun

re

{5r

or iginally manufactured by

ry

!{ith respect to parti cular specs of hese items, the

receiver ih serial nunbeff[ s descried as being in
the orig Lna! ttag manu factured" ccnd iLi.o:. The recever
is described as havng been sent t>
aI number
of Mesa, rizcna, and bei*g transformed
Fresen t condition by that orga*ization. ry
d the latter receiver through removal cf the
the St.emIe receiver and attchilent tf a
This attachment
reeiver approximatel
has a rnagaaine ell, frant sighl aseembly' eJecLor, barrel
attactme*t assembly, ejection part, operting handle slot'

rear

,l@----:.

sear *ndcv, and sliag attchr*et,. The Stenple rortion

hag had rar sight assembly' sling *ttachment, and Lug
nst.a11ed.

Branch, TF,
It s the epinion of the Firerms
tat Lhe resulting receiver as produced by
us o
is a nelr receiver of machin*gu* configurat
a piece af a registered nachnegun receiver to manufcture
a ne! machi*egun does noi nen .ht the ner* receiver s
registered. further, the inilial removal sf the rear
rorton of the StempLe receiver cauld have resulted ln the
renanlng porticns beitg considered an improperly destroyed
machnegun frame cr receiver, hence an item tht uould
still be subject t the provi.slcns of the llaional Sirearns
ct tF. ?his classifictn cauld Fp1y to the
receiver alone.
ion of the
CODE

DTE

ffi
?

vrEttE*

flEYIETTEE

REYI,t{ER

TEVIEI{E

'r/, ot
.u 8. cosrurs

17

F!rtol l -{lrt11!,16{lf

RIP

tPAFTiill{T
T}IE TRESSY
guE^u sF ALCOHOL, TOEACCO AlO nAEARHS

COFFESPOHDEHCE PPROVITL A}IT} CLEARAHC

-2-

Therefore, a rttchinegun receiver manufact,ured as evidenced

by serial number ff[wou]d be considered a new machinegun
subject to al1 the eontrols of the NFA and would be
restricted o Governnent use under 18 .S.c.
?he front section of he ori gina receiver
Section 92 o
removed by

ln

EEI

w
to HFA provisions.
removal cf rhe

not having been destroyed by

rtion, could also be subject

l{e thank you for your inquiry and regret, that' ur response
could not be mcre favorable at this time.

Sincerely yours,
t

Sterling
C!:ief, Firearrns Technology

FIITIATOF

REVIEY{E*

EVIEIIIER

nEvtEyraES

Branch

SEV|E$r

FEVIETIER

suRN[t
TT

llrry

'U.t Odrt

l8

?rftorE - {t{llr$!t!

RIF

U.$. Dep*tment of Justice

t'
.

i{AR

Sureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,

Firearms rnd Explosives

I0

0{

wwrlf

oosofllrctl
33t 112004-031

gov

IEETSIS!

Dearffi'
This is in response tc your lcfter of septemkr 30,203, ta thc Bueau of Alcohel,
Tobac*c, Firearms end Explosives (.{Tf). Firearms Teehnology Branch, in wtich
you inq*ire absut the legality of modifying the frame of your converre and
properly
?.6?mrn rifle, serial number

regirt"r.d,W,
ror.
rE

tht if the lirearrn was originally ngistercd by the serial numberon

the frame, and *ot by means of number ftud an tbe triggerhousing, then the
modificatiar &srn the 'shelf' type receivrr (semilutomatic typci to the ,,pushpia* typc receiver {rnachinegun fype} may be l*wfully performed. This
rncdification would nst constitute the mrking of a *ew maehinegun
Please note

ln contrlt if thc firearm *as criginally cenve*cd by usiag a modified triggcr

group and an unrnadified semiautomatic receivcr and registered by a number
fomd an the trigger housing, thcn thc subsequcnt receiver rnodifition {"shelf'
typ tc "push-pin" type) would conslitute the mnnufacture of a new rnachinegun.
ln this instricc, the modilication would be a violrtior cf l8 .$,C. g 922{a}.

lTc thank you fcr yaur inquiry and trsst that the fc,regoing las been responsive.
$incerely yrurs,

#",

flilg

Chic{, Fircarms Trchnology 8rnch

t9

RIP

f,e: f
},{AY

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:le:$ff[

3312.5

earry
lFhis refere to your letter of February 12r 1993, ln
whlcb you aek about oonetructinq a tubular recaiver for
a regite"raffiru/g
rnahinegun. you aleo
encloeed csrdboard sodel of the receLver,

in eactlon 5845{b} of the }tatlonal FJ"rearne

Act fF!, tbe tena rmachlneguni Eeana erry lreapn nhtch
shoots, Lr dealgrned to ehoot, or can be readily
regtcred to shoot autornatlcally ucra tha$ on ebot,
wihout manual reloadlnE, by a alngla f,uactlsn sf the
trlgrger. It6 trl! shall a1o lnclud th fra! r
racel.ver of any euch weapon, ny part desiEned and
Lntendad solely and exclusLvely, or conblnatlon of
parte designed rnd Lntended, for uge l"n converttng a
ueapon Lnto a uachlnegun, and any conblnatirn cf parta
fron $hleh a naahlngn can be aeEeubled 1 euch are
are ln the poeeeeslon or under tbe cntrol of a praon.
rn the caaa of .nWlrll/g
aachlnegrn, ha frarne
cr receiver ie that portlon of tbe loyer ouslng slich
ocntalna the trlgger and eear nechanlsm. The aseubled
recelver aleo coifelns tbe nagazlne houelng, trlgger
guard/fead rarnp and slght plate. The upper porlLon cf,
type fJ"rearnr'containlng tl bclt and
Wrrl/9
barel attachnent, Ls not aubJect to control.
A stn grun 1s conetrueted differently. The Sen gun
receiver 1a held to be th tuu}r portlon, nblch
houeee tbe alt. The loadlng port, eJectlon port, bolt
hanle slot and ssar opnlng are integrrel F:te of the
tubular recelver. Ftrrthr, ln the geesbleil Stn grua
recel.ver, lre trlgger hsusl.ng, barrel buehlng and
ragazlne housln are attachad to ths tubular rorlion.
tubulr Sten gun recel.ver le eubject to control ae a
Aa deflned

nachl.negrun

coo
8U.

tuatE

I
2

ffi

lryE

BPL.AEEs

EYTER

tv

tt, H

^1

t.YIWEH

fiHVtLWX

EtlroilrvHcH

LIE

PPRovAL Aro cLR4{c

Fufr^u o

^flXllf Ol t ItE^8rfrt
1acao xt ir
^tolroL
u, c.4: 16r -!artrtiplt

2t

RIP

t{:frgltEtiltilf,l

that a functlonal eanple constructed ln

rrltl your rlodl rould be egeentLaLy a Sten
giun raceLver adapted ao that lt cauld be lnetalle on
&n 11lg flrearn, It uould atilt have the
chracterlstlce of a Sten gun recever ln tlat lt vould
be the tubuSar portlon, rhlch hsuseg the bolt. The
loadlng port, eJectlon ror bolt handlE slot and sear
openlng rculd be lntegral parLe Ef the tuuIr
recelver. !\rrther. ln tha asganbled receiver, the
arre1 bualrlng and uagazlne houelng rould be atached
to tha tubular portlon. Ettthr, Lt rould accept a
stn ga bolt nechanL and barel aseeubly and cold
stlll be uged as a Stan giun recalver rlth nlnor
ft appeara
accordance

nodlf lcatl,ons.

Baeed on the oubltted eanple, lt ts our oplnlcn that

due to Lte partlculr deeigm characterletlcs, tha
proposed lte roul be elaselflc as a oacbLnegun and
would be subJect to lF contraLg. ltha fact that you
rould aapt a Sten gun receiver ao tha lt could be
attached to the reoelvf to a reglstered l1U9 flrea:ra
uould ns renove the sten g'un receLver fron NFA

controle.

{e

regrst that our reepons ln }le uatter haE not baen

If you have furthar guestLonar pleaae

Eore fvorabJ.e.
contact us,

slnrely ycure,

Edufd ll, on, Jr,

Chlef, Fireama Technology Branch

coo;

lftrTtToF

aEvlEwEa

xavtt{Efl

REVIEWE

REYIEWEA

REVIEWfR

TUR.
HAME

of

ltF Ft!5.!A t-rt

aEPLACES

tot

coRaFfoNtEr{cE, Fpnovt r{

Orf rO W{tCtilS OSSOLCTE

CLRAHCE

t.tn,11 Ot r lBr
irql of aao+r. toaF i{g tRt^8rt

* ulrtgJ t*l-gtrlJrt

al

2l

RIP

EPART{N OF THE TREASURY

BVREAU OF LCOHOL, fOAACC AHO FIREARMS

w^sHlNcf()t{,

CrC eo226

E:CE!ft
331.

r{lIW
oearffi:
rls refers tt your ltter of Deceer 1?, X99s, n
tlhlch you aslc about rEodlfylag a reglatered B-G ilaehina,
UZI carblne converelon bolt to functlon Ln an I t'lini
Carblne.

*d lllrgtratad Ln your letter, the

odlfieations sorld eonsist of reoovlnq a secttoa
approxnatel? @
fron-the ejectlon
port area of the bolt and then reldlng be front an
rear sections of, the bolt back together. the rear
section rould lnelude ths tro extensLons at thE bottou
rhich nould
fsnard of
the f,ront section. hE nodl,ficatlons oui rot affect
the existlng narkngs on the orlglnat ba1t. fhE
nodlfied olt uay be used Ln a tllnl U?I carlne rlthaut
alteratlong to the resevr.
It is aur oplnian that the nodlflcattonE perfo:-aed as
deacrlbEd ould not change thg status of the bolt under
the provlslans of 26 LI*S.C. chapter 53 or 18 U,S.g. S
922{o}. Other noifications to any other f,lrearne ray
,ls descrl.bed

affeet thelr saue.

lsl1os lng the uoif,caticn*. you ehould notlfy the lf8
Sranch , ln $riti*g, of the chngeE in dlesLcns eo
tbat the l{atLoal Frearrs ReEl,stratlon and ?ransfer
Recsrd {}fRTR} cn be updated o accurately reflect the
descrlption of the registered bolt.
?Ie trust that the foregol.ng has been responslve to your

lnquiry. If,

us,

you havs f,urttrer guestlons, please contact

Sl.ncarely your,'

,fu# ffr

Chlef, Fire*rns

Oger

Technology

72

RTP

,1i:,, ; . i

r:

ce:rtSlS[

3311

Dear

IGXETIilEEIIEG

Thls refers to your resent lsttr ln hlch you ask

aout assErhling a uachlnegern uslng a regle tered Sten
recel.ver and a Sterllng parts set.
Ste gun recelver Le a fl.rear and a nachlnegrun as
deflned in 26 t.S.C. Section 5845{b} of the llational
FirEarns ct (NF). It 1g unlapful f,or nyone to nale
or posaEg a achlnegi'un which ls not, reglstered ln
accordance ultb tha provlelons of the NFA. It 1g
unlarful for lndlviduals to tranefer r posseas a
nachlnegun rlhlch as not lar+fully posseseed prlor to
llay 19, 1986 (18 t.6.c. S 922{o}},
fou propose to use n entlre regletered Sten recaiver
and lnatal} Sterllng uaehl.negmn parts ag descrlbed la
your enclosure. Based an the lnforaatlon provtded, tha
alteratlons would lncludE the followlng:
1

4
- tEl.lcrtsF.

coE

gYEIlEFE{I

Yttx

8t

I{AE

7]

otE
.

frl
EDtTtOirwxtcH

A9POVAI AHD CIABAITCE

,6Fnel|t: f llr
gF"t of, r,ar.e** lo t*D

! GcerFrry r*l

RIP

W
Based on t!e deaorlptlon provided, tba above-deecribed
nodlflcatlons roq1d not be rrlafu3. Tb Eerlal nuber
an otber requlred ldentlflcatlon of, thE achl.negun
Dust not e obllterated, removed, changed, or altered
(26 lr.S.C. f 586X(g|. After the altqrtlone are
perforned, notlflcatlon tlust b nade to ta latlonal
Flrearns ct Bransh at ATF tfeadguartars raflectlng tlre
chnEEE rae-to the dluenslons nd deEsrlptLcn af-the
reglatere flrearn.
ug.

:'

CbJ.ef ,

a\,lEUt

HEVIgWE

Attg

*ttll.F

24

RTP

r,{AY

- I ls

iiii:i"|Er@l

ear

?hls refers to your letter of prll 8, 1993, cancarnLng

ncdlflcatlons ts a regletered lleckler and Koch (tlK!
nachl.negun, cerlsl nurrer ff[.
-ThLa frearn re
orlglnally nufctured aaEelautonatic
ods} t{K94

rlfle and lt hae been converted Lnto a nachlnagun.

?he deflnltlcn eg naclnegrun ln S 5S5(b) of the
l{atlonal Firearrue c (llSA} lncludes eeveral eeparate
categorlas. crtln parta and componente of a
uachlnegrun are s*bJect ta controls. Further,
alteratlon of parte and conpoaente of a flrearn, cn
changa the statua of tha cornrcnenta.
a eflnedt ln g 5S5(b) of the NF, the ter Each.negrun
includes ay rspon rhlEh ehoots, Ia deeignad to ehoot,
or can readlly be restored to shoot artoatl,gally ucre
than one eho r*lthout nanu1 reloadlnE by slngle
functtcn of the trlgger. senlautorat,lc HX rlf,le
rhLch hae been convartad to ehoot autoatlcally ls a
nachinegrun eg defined and lt ls requlrsd to be
regletered under tbe provtslons of the l{FA.
The deflnltlen of a oaeblnegrun aleo tncludes a
machinegen frane or recEiver. s described, he
subJect flrearn lncorporatea a reclver nhlch hae not
bee* aLtered to machlneEun conflguratLon. Althougb,
the conpl.ete neapon uests the deflnltion of a
rachlnegiun, the unaltered recel.ver, uithout the otber
parts, rtol rat be claasifled as a nachlnegun"
terat,lon of the receLver to accert a standard llX push
pln roaahlnegul: grlp houelng would place ths recelver
under he daflnl.tlon of a nachlneqrun.
taaE
SU-

[18

(b

n
L.j

( !l

Tf
ATT FTS'TA
REPTaCES r89 !1tt

X6

SEVtEWES

BEVtEtr8

VIYYE

fttvl:tttH

lftrcH

PPFOVAL AN CLARItCE
arEu

OPJJ{?$EIr Ot T]ll 1^lrf

Tll^oco rtro FrF^r:l

0f t,cor6t.
4.rr

25

^D^,

RIP

-2-

ffi
fh deflnltlon of a uaohlnegru:r aleo includsa any prt
deelgnned nd lntended eolely and excluelvelyr oF
conbl.natlon of parts daelgme and intended for uee ln
convErtlng a eepen lntc a
Tha speclal eelectlve

:
I

ftre

rnaohlnegun.

girJ.p houslnE aaeerobly uaed

wltb ycur saulautonatis recelvor alao neetg the

deflnltl.on of a aachfnegun. 8o long aa the grip
houeing conponenta reual.n as ooponenta of the conplee
regletered weapon, thay ara lawful to poaeeas; howevar,
tf the epaclal eeletlve flre grlp trouslng corponenta
vere hald or trnefered eeparataly fro the reglatered
f,Lrearn, they rould b unlarf,ul to Fosaeas.
Tltle 18, tlnl.ted tateg eode, Chapter t4, 5 9t2{o}
provldee that, lt is unlarful for lndlvlduals to FoEEB
a naclrlnegun uhJ.clr vas not laufully posseseed prlor to
Hay 19, 1986.
ff you alter the receiver to aecpt a naehlnegun grtp
housing, the recelver yould then becona a nchlnegrun
and lt-rsrld becorne eubJect to the ptovlalone of S 922{o}, Further, the epeclal selectlva flre grrlp
houalng onponelrte vhlch ara deelgared to flt on the
senr.autonatlc recelver, ould then conEtltute an
adltLaal nacblnegun rhLch could not be lanfully

poeaesaed.

tht the foregolnE has bean responslve to your

tnqulry. If you trave further guestlcns oncernlng thle

l{e truet,

oatter pleaee contact ug,

slncarly yours,

Edr*ard N. Otrn, itr.

Chlef, Fireams fechnology

AEVIEWEE

avtwEFl

flEY'ffER

Branch

lvttlt

tYtwH

'N'}TTOFI

l. .f4

c0RREEPONOiC 'POVLAH

or:tor nlH l5 ssol-f,Tt

*au

rt
*

26

!tr?.:rl of rri ?n^&rf

ortoL
rJ

lolcoo^rtF*txr
ra -'l.4:?@{

ef:

RIP

DEPARTMTNT OF THE TFIEASURY

BUREAU OF ALCHCLT tOe^CCO ANO FtRER.tS
WSHNGT<}N, tC 20226

E:CE:rt:WD

tfAft

33 11

or"rffi
This refers to yrur ltter of Jnary zO, 199?r in
vhich you ask abaut use af a regisered Ui alaehinegun
conversLon bol.t.

e def,i.ned fR eEctlon 58{5{b} of, the tlatloal Fi.rearms

ct, the tern $machfnegtnrr neans any r.eapon vhlclr
shocts, ls deslgned to shoot, or can be readlly
restored to shost autonatlcally rnore than one shot,
rithout uranual reloadlng, by a eingle functlon of the
trlgqer. ?h tera 6ha1} aLso lnclude the frame or
recel.ver cf any such veapon, any part deslgned and
i*tende aalely and excluslvely, or conblnatlon of
parts designed and lntonded, for se in convertlng a
rieapo lno a ruaehlnegun, and any coubinatlon of part
f,ron which a oachtegun can e asseubl.ed lf euch parts
are Ln tha poesegElon or undsr th ontrol of pern.

Certalrr zL bolts rhlch are desgned for convertl"n

semiautomatic Uzi carblnes to !eat autouatlclly, are
nachlnequn ar deflned. Use cf such a balt ta conrert
an Uel. seriautoratlc carbine ino a nachinegun requires

certaln nodificatlons to the flreern. person vho

a regletered Uzl bol rnay perforn tlre
necessary uodffcatlns to an Uel carbine in order fcr
he flrearn te ahoot utonatlcally; hs\,revr. certaln
unneessry noiflcati<lns, cr nalcing and possessing
additlonat parts or spare parts for converting the
firearn into a nachlnegun may reeult f.n naking or
possessln a rachinEgun rhlch ls nc? registered.
If yoa psssess a reglstered url bolt*posEeaaes

27

RIP

-2T ny alter an t zi enlautomatic grip houslng

assembly to function in the full autnatlc nrode by
removing the change lever stop in the frot of the
grip housing and install a three positon

selector; otr,
You may alter an Uzi nachinegun grlp housl.ng to
fit on the serlautomatic receiver.
?ou nay enlarge tbe sear slsts n the hotton of
the raceiver and install a achfnegun ser.
Ycu uay al"ter the top cover ar instal a
:*achinegun tap cover,
llhen the firearn has been csnverted to shsot
autonatica.Iy, a barrel less than 16 l:rches in
length may be installed.
t{hen the f,irearnr has been cnverted to shoot
autoeatically, you ray replace a *coen thrnbhole
stock rith a fol.dng stock.
You must no! alter the recefver cf, the rifle to
accept a flat slded lli nachlngu* balt.
lou $ust not possess nor than one altered grlp
ho*sing ta flt on the rifle.
once the firearn has been altered, you *ust nolfy the
NF Brnct tbat thE description of the reglstered
frearn {ttre bolt} has changed, fndicate the
manufaeturer.s na$e, nodel., serial fiumber, caliber,
barre! Ienth. and ovarall length of the csnverted
rif1e.
ff ycu conver the rlfLe back to setniautontc
operatl.on, it must be restored to lts origi*a1
confiuraion. Yu riust install a b*rrel at least 16
inches in le*gth and you nust instal. a semiautsnatlc
bolt an seniautonatlc Arip housng assenbly r+ith the
change lever Iock" If the rifle *as orlginlly
impored rLh a thumbhole style stock, tle$bhole
style stock nust be re-fnstalled, If the barrel
retaining Rut ras originally relde* to he recei.ver, t
must be re-uelded to the receiver-

28

RIP

t{ilDItrgEmrJ
If you transfer the registered Ual bolt ta another
prEsn, you nust not retaln and possess the altered
grlp housing or short barrel.
trust that the foregoing has been rasponsive to your
lngulry. - If yau have iurter guestlons oneerning his
antter please contact us,
?le

Sincerely yours,

* u

frt
Edrard H. O$en, Jtr.

Chlef, Flrearms Technolcgy

29

nranch

RIP

t
T]EPARTMENT OF HE TREASURY
AII FIRAR'$S

BUREU c'F ALCOHOL. TC)BACCO

wgl+lNcoN, c 202

F. CE

33 11

ApR 2

FTW

2 rg97

ffi
o"r"ffit
fhle la tn

response to your leter to tha Sureau of

Icohol, Tobasco *nd Flrer:re. In yor letter, you aak
about anufacturlng a Czechoslovaklan ZK 383
subuachlneg:un fron Fr-1986, regletared Sten
nachlnegun receiver tuba.
lltle 18 unlt stteg code (tt.s.c.l, chFtr 4d, S
922(0) nakea lt unlaful for any per6$n possese,
transfer or anufacturer a cblnegiun vhich vac not
regLetered ln accordaneE ulttr thE provlsl.ona of tha
ffatlonal F.lrearne ct {lfF} prlcr to Xay 19, 19A6.
thie subaecl.on dcee nat FFly elth reeeet to I
trnafer to or by, or peseeseLon by or under the
authority of, th nl.ted Statee or any depa,nent or
agelcy thsreof or Stt, or a departnent. gencyr Gr

polltleal eubdlvlelon thereof .

s deflned ln Titl 26 Unlted state code (u.s.c.),
Chapter 53, S 5845(b), of the NF, tbe terd
rrnachlnegun ueanE any repon r*llch ehoots, ls desigmed
to shoot, or cn be read{ly reetcred to shoot
autoatlcally nore than sne ahot, rltheut uanual
reloading, by a slngle functlon of the trigger. The
term shal1 also inelude the fraae ar recelvr of any
sueh weapon, any par desigled and lntended sol.ely nd
excluslvely, or coubi.naticn of rarta deeigned an
lntended, for use ln convErtlng a ueapor into a
nachlnegun, and any conblnatlon of parts fron uhlch a
uachlnegun can be asaenIed lf such parte are in the
poaeeeslon or under the control cf a eron.
It le unlLrful for anyone to possees in NF flrearru
which lg not reglsterd l acordance rlth t!e
provlelona of th NF.

3S

RTP

,
-2-

@TITffitr
fn your leter,

rear of tbe Sten

fsr the
the fead

you prpsse to

ffi

furtber I
ta tho UK 383 bolt assembly vlll
uodlf led to rork with tha original bolt slot ln the
renalnlng sectlon of sten receLver tuba.

the
ind
You

be

Based on the Lnforoa

ffi

GXg)

tube rEu1d not

exlt. gse of a plce of
reeelver ubg to eonstruct a nev and ctally different
receiver doee not oean that the nes receiver vould
stLll be regietred. theref,ore, a ZK 383 t1a
uachlnegiun asseubl.ed r1th the extenalvo nodificatlone
descrled, in your letter rould be coneldered to e a
ner roachLngun subJect to all the controls ad
prov!.slons of the NF and soul bs restrLcted to
[vernnent $e under the provlsLane of 1g U.S.C.

s e22(0).
$le trust tbat tbs foregotng lras ban responelva to your
lngutry. If re nay be of, any further as-lstance,
pleaee contact us.

Sincerely youra,

ffi

lil. osen, Jr.

Chlef , Fireams Technelogy
Edlard

3l

Branch

RIP

DEPARTMENT OF THg TRASUFY

BUAU OF ALC(}HL, TOtICCO A FtRERtS

wsH*GtCN C 2O22S

i:i'F"w
MAR 2

I99T

Dar

?hlE refers to your letter f Fbrury 16, 1997, ln

?thlch you aEk about aese$bltrrg a nchlnegrun uelng a
rgistered Sten receiver nd a Sterllng parts set.
Sten gun receiver ls a flrean and nachtnegarn as
dafln ln 26 U.s.c. S 5g{5(b} of the Natlonal Flrearng
ct {llf}. It Ls unlayful for ayone to ake or
pcsses a uachl.negun rhlch tg not regietered Ln
ccoranc lth the provllgn of th NF. It le
unlarfl for lndlvldualE to tranefer or posaB
uachlnegun hlch was not larfulty pcesessed prlor to
y 19, 1986, aa provlded ln 18 {t.S.C. S 922(al.
Tou ask about havlng a guatlfled nanufacturer asseuble
a funetlonal nachlnegiun uslng regietered Sten recelver
tnd a sterllng Eubachlnegrun klt. such asaenbly roay be
acconplished wlthout destroylng the Sten giun recelver
and rlthout crealng a ne aachlnegun lf the follovlng

guldellnea are follored:

1.
2.
3,

entlre ster gun recelver ehould be used"

The Sterllng aret ehroud fror tte parts set
should be trelded to the frcnt of the Sten
The

receiver.
llhe nagazine we}l, plstol gripltrlgger
houslng assembly, and eJectlon port deflector
nay be renqved fra: the Sterl,lng parts aet
and then lngtal.l*d dlrectly onto the Stan
recel.ver usl,ng the crlglnal sten magaalne
por and aJectlon port.

32

RTP

-2-

il&lxtIIErilrxx{[E
a.

?le

Iteld the orlglnal rear end cf tte St*r1iag

recetvar onto the rer end of the Sten
recelvsr.
tse gten gnn bolt or alter the bol han1e
pcellon on the sterli.ng bolt to be
conpatl.ble vlth ta bolt handle glot ln tle
Sten receiver.
of firer,r ag descr lbed
and a

1S

be l
{ ot. fhe

of

lpt
t{ trEt that the
inguiry. If you
natter, plaase

Offlger

:,

.:..

'

,,'

t:.:., ..- :.
:

::'.

J5

RIP

ocT

1gB3

I 54n

'grcD

b X6 )

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35

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EPARTMT O TH TRSURY
BUEAU OF ALCOHOL, TAACCO NO FIFRMS

wsH,.Groil, )c 2226
Ul Cn:

l1g

2t

3311

ft:Sffi

?hlg is ln reaponaa to your letter of Februarl 10,

2997, te the Bure of lcohol., lobacco nd Fl.rearme
{Tf.}, In y6ur letter, yru requEEt lnf,oraatl.on
rgrdlng the aodlficatfcn and aEgsDbly of dc
{l.lC 58} type rnachlnegun uelng a regletered rlght slde
plate for a Brornlng, 1919 type nachinegun.
title 18 U,S.C. 5 922{al nakes it untarful for any
peracn to possesr, tran*fer or nanufacturer a
roachlnegrun rhlch ?,a5 not reglatered Ln accordance vlth
the provlglonr ol tha Hatlonal ?lrearu ct (f,) prlor
ts t{ay 19. 1986.
s defl.ned ln 26 tt.S.C, S 58,5{}, ol the NFl, the teru
iuachlnegunr lsans any $eapon rhich hoot6, f.e deslgned
to ehco, er can be roadily restorsd to ehoot
autoatically ucra than ons shot, rLthsrt nanuaL
reoad-lng, by a slngle functlar of the trlgger. The
ter ehall aleo lnclude the fraue or recel.var cf any
such weapon, ary part defgned an Lntndd aolety n
excluslvely, or conblnatlon of parte deslgned andLntended, for usa l,n convertlng a $eapon lnto a
uachlaegun, and any conblnatLcn of parta fron rhlch a
rachinegun can be asseubled tf such parts are in the
pcssessl,on or undEr the contrc]. of a perean.
?f has previously detenled that a t{G 58 type sid*
plate uay not be constructed frcrn a registared
rounln, 919 t! side pl.te. If .fc 58 slde plate
rrer cntructed froc a raleterad Brol*nlng elde plate,
the reglstered Browning e-Lde >I*te Hould ao long exLst.

36

RTP

rt

fiIIGIII!'IE

EEIEXreIEE

Further, the use of, naterlal from a reglstered Bronning

plate to oonstruct a new and totally
dlfferent, type of naehinegun does not nen that the- nelr
naehinegun is registered in the NatLonal. firearu
RegistratLon and ?ransfer Record and reuld result in a
violation cf g 922{o}.
nachlnegun sLde

lle trust ttrat the foregolng hs been responsl_ve to your

lngulry. If, tre nay be-of ny further assistance,
pleaae conaet us.

Slncerely yoursf

f#9--,

chief, Firearns fechnoloqry 3rnch

5t

RTP

DEPAFTI,IEHT OF THE TRESUFY

8URU OF rLCOftL TOBACOO

RREARI|B

CORRESPONDENCE APPROVAL^NO
AHO CLEARANCE

eo3oso

ff[

3311/2AA2-521

m l!
ear

b X6 )

torEMrcll

'1

;,:.

?hle refers to your letter in which you ask about

aseenbling a Hodel LgL8 Erohning Automatic Rifle ueing
reglebered receiver.

A ltlodel 1918 Browning auLomat,ic rifle le a aachinegun ae

defined in eecEion 5g4F (b) of Ehe Ntlonal Flrearms cL
(NFA). The reeeiver of a lodeL 1918 Browning utomat,ic
Rifle ie aleo a machinegiun, It ie unlarful ior au
individual to possess a nachinegun or a machlnegiun receLver
t,hat, ie nob regiet,ered t.o euch peron in accordance wit,h
t,he provlaions of the NFA. ddil.ionally, aecrlon 922 (o) of
Title 18 Unlt,ed States Code prohibitg lndividnale from
poseeeeing machlnegun8 that were noE. lawfully poseeeeed
before May 19, 1986.

If a eervieeable nachlnegun recelver ie regiaLered to you

ln accordance r+lth the provleione of the Natlonal Flreans
Act, you re not prohlbited from aeeembling Ehe receiver
wit,h other parba necesEary to make a funcional fl.rearm,
provided that the asse]led machinegun ia not prohlbited
under Sate lal and local ordinances.

trust that the foregoing hae been reponsive to your

lngury. If you have further gueotiona concerning this

We

mafter, pLease contact, uE.

Sincerely,

CurLla H.. Bartlet,E

ChXef, Flrearms ?echnology Branch
cooE
SURNAilE
OATE

flilg firc
38

RTP

T.i:11r'-'.jE

|G'G'TOT'EB

lGIl

EEME

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40

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42

RIP

,a

OEPARlMENT OF THg TREASURY

ETUREAU OF ALCOI+OLl TOBACCO AND

wAs{tNG1(}N,

tEC _ g

I} 20e6

FtRttg

F'S:F?B
3311

[p

)rctxIGlt

*"rre
Thla ls in resrcns to your lettar of lovenber 24,
193?, tg the Bl.ra of lcohol, obacco nd fl.rarn
{Ef.}, 1n hlch yo rek csrtal.n quBtLn regrLng
mrrufastrrlng and exci.se tax.
Iou lndlcats in your letter, ttrat you rs asaenbling a
R:ssla 1910 lle(ln tlpe aactnegu fron a regiatered
cl:l[an 1G08 sleplate. Io Lnq!lr a to trhether Atf'
conelders thts "urufacturl.ngi sl.nce the eideplate is
regiatered ard ln a flnlehed condltlon. In addition,
you lnguire lf you re reeponalble for rnarklng th 1910
l{axi type aactrlnegian oncs Esatrbty i.a ccupl,eted and
subJact to parnen of ny excLea tx.
fP has deterlr:ed tbat lf you perfon adttlonal
operatl"ons cr be reglterod l{0 sldep}ate, suoh as
aEgb1lng l-t Lnto a operattonal or functio*al firearn,
you ar lanuf,acuring. If you are ngaged i* the
busLnesg of, nanufacturlng f,lreane for aale cr
dlEtrlbutlcr:, you ar rqulrad to be llceased s a
manufacture of flrearrne.
Flrearms, sucl ag a Rreelan 191 lla*ln tlpe naclri*egun,
uanufactrred by a llcensed anufacturar, *auld be
eulrject to tlra srklng requlre!nt f,ound lrr ftl 2?
CfR, Prt 1?9, S 1?9,192. If a l''csed anuaEturer
perfo:rue addltlonal anufaeturlng operatlons n
firear produced by another nnufEture, J-t j.s not
necsry to add an extra eartal uber to the firearm.
Tou Ehtruld :dopt the orlglnl Earrfacturertg serll
nuber and add your canpany ntar eLty and gtte to the
flreara. If yol cbaaga the fi,reaE, f,rcn t{G8
al"daplate to a Ruselr 191O ttaxln trye rnachLnegtrn, you
elrould contasb the Natlonal Fl"rearae ct {llF*} Brnch
in frlting arld lndleate tha approprlate deecrlpti"on and
uodel dealgmatlon.

43

RIP

You ehould not ruot or altar the erlglnal

nansfcCrer'B ldenttflcatlon narklnge, fitle 26
U.S.c. i 5861(9) and (b) sf, tlre l{F provlde that lt ls
unlarful for any person to obllterate, reuoye, change
or alter the serlal nuber or otlrer ldentlflcatlon of a
fireara raquired by thie chapter; r t recel.ve or
posrsss firearm havlng the serlat. rrrlllrE sr other
Ldentifl"catisa regulred by thle chpter obllterated,
rerncved, t>r altered.
l{Lth reepect to your gueoblon regardlng excLee tax, ATF
hae deterulned tbt under S {1S1 ef, the lrternt
Rvenu code {IRC}, a Fdra1 exclge tax e lnposed on
the sale by a nanufaeturer of conpleta firsars.
llanufacture and gale of a recatver lena rogl not
incrr excl.se tax. For purpoees of S t11. nanufacture
Lneludae productlon af a taxable artcie fron scrap,
aal.vage or Junlc rnaterial, or froc ns or ra+ aterlal,
by coubnln or eEerbllng tva or lrore rtl.slee. It
ppears that aessnbllng a uachlnegun lrou a Ruseian
1?1 l{axin parte kit uslng a nodlfled eldeplate for
rn GO !chlnegrun rouLd eonEtltute aanufar:turing
for the urllee36 of S 4181,
tle trust tiat ha f,oreEolng hag bsen responelve to your
fnqulry. If re nay be of any frrther aeelstance,
pl.tae contact us.

Sincerely yours,

r*',"V
Edsard ll. oeen, Jr.

Chiefr FLrsans Technelagr

44

Branch

RTP

..!--

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

AURU OF ALOHOL, IBACCO I{ FIEBIi3

CORFESPONDNCE APPBOVAL AND CLARANCE

0Et -g

g9?

r:socFrgliIE l
3311

ftlB

o*"rffi*
lthls Ls in response to your Letter of, !ovEber 24'
199?, ta tlre Bureau af lcolrcl, fobacco and firea:cms
{lfr}, Ln rhlch you ask certln qlreetLons regardlng

nafct$ring and sxcLes tax.

Tou ndlcate in your tetter, that yu re aseelbling a
Bugsian 191 ,taxla tlrye lachlnegnrn f,rou a regl.stere
cr,uan tlGoS sleplate. Iou lnqulr a to shettrer F
eoniderE thls nianufacturingr einca the aideplate s
regLetera and l.n a ff.nLahed andltin. rn addlt,lon,
you ingulre f you re reepansl.ble for uarkl.ng the 191S
liaxin tlpe uachnegrua ance as$bly ls cooplete and
subJect to paynent ef, any exlse tax.
18 hae deterolned that Lf you gerfotu additLenal
operatl.ons on the reglstered HctS eldaplate, euch as
assenbling lt into a operatlonll or funetLonal flrearu'
you rG ranufaeturJ.ng. ft you tre sngagd ln the
bugLnes ef naaufacturlng ftrear:rs for sale or
dlstrihtlcn. yEu re rgrlred to be llsenge s a
raaufacture of fireams.
fl.rearma, ech as a usaLan 1910 tfaxin te uactrLnegrun,
aaaufature bf a lLcensed nansfacturerr roul e
eubJect to ttre uarlrlng requlrenents f,oun ln fitle 2?
cER, Part 1?9r 3 1?9.102. If a lisenesd naaufacturer
perfenns addltltrnal anufcturlng operaLon;, on
iirea:u produceil by another nanuflctur, it is tot
nacessary to rd an gxtra serl.aL nber to the flream,
ou should aopt the orlglnal nanufscturarts serial
rrber an add your conpny n!r clty and State to t}e
fireacu. ff you change the firearu, f,rou a UGOB
sldeplate to Rus.Lan lglo llari t1rye uacblnagruar you
should eontrct tlre llatlona FLre:ug ct {fft Sranch
ln rrltlng an iniaate the appraprlate eecrlptlon and
nodel eaLgaatLon.

c
SUftl^ttE

D^IE

( b XI 6 )

re

41 t?/

EYIEIYEF

REYIF}TER

FVIEITER

REVIEWE

'

't, (vrmnt ?ttlolf ll9?'

45

lrt 00ttr

RIP

TEPARTiIETIT OF TTE TREASURY

BUFEAT, OF ALCOHOL, TOSACCO ANC FEFME

CORRSPOND ENCE APPROVAL AI{D CLEAFAI.CE

-2-

tElgrr;Ff{w
Iou ghould not renove or alter the origlnal
anufacturr's litentlfieatlon uarlcings. lltte 26
U.S.c. S 5s61{gl n fh} of tbe lfF provide that lt is
unlarful for any rcon to obll"terate, renove, ehange
ar alter the geral nrnber ar othar ldentlfication of a
fl.rearm requ!.re by thlc chagteri or to recelve or
poaes a firearn havlng tlrc etl*l nrbar or other
ldeniflcatien regulred by thl chapter obliterated,
reloved, ar altered.
guastJ,on
lfith reepest o yourqnar

regardLng exclae tax, ATF

S 4181 o! the Internal
RvGnu. ccde {IRC}, a 'adcrl sxclee tax ls Lnpoeed on
te sale bg a naaufcturer cf conplete f,irearas.
l{a:ufacure an sale of a recel.ver alone rou1d not
incur exoise tax. for purposae of S 1181, uanufacture
lncluee productLon of a taxable artl.cle f,ron ecrap,
salvage or lunk uaterlal, or f,roa n or ra$ naterial,
by corbining or asaenbling tno or uore articles. It
appere that assenbllng a uachinegrun frou a Rrsian
191o ltaxim parts klt uaing a noifd sldeplate for a
eran t{ot rachinegnrn ryould constitute nanufacturlng
fcr the FuIlass f S 4191.
TE trust that tha foragoing haa been reaponsi.ve to your
inuiry. If ue rnay be of any further assistance,
please contact us,
has detenlned

that

SLncerely Tous,

3nar U, Orn, 3r,

Chl.ef, Flreams T*chnology Branch

INTIT{J'I

REVEYYER

tlEvt!rfa

FFVIE!I'R

fiEVtElfF

HEVIEWE

COD

5FIAM

D8

46

8.

60rrrr$

Pml5Ot.:3. t9a? ,

llt&lr.ig

RTP

DEPARTI,TEHT

THE TREASURY

SUREU OF ALCOHOL TOBACCO AXD FIRERUS

CORRESPONDNCE APPROVAL AD CLEARANCE

,jiii

eo3oso

:-,.,

$rcu

3311120S2-50?

IlIGITI!}I}Erurc*'relffi
Dear- tDGtlilgEr

Thie refera Lo your leLter of pril" 11, 2002, v;ith

enelosed Aechison lnformaEion brochure, in r+hich you
request informaf,ion an t,he legallty sf inetalling an
At,chieeon .22LR convereion unit. in a lega.ly
regisEered M16 {regiatered receLver), You aek if
lnetalling and reracving lhe ,22IJg. convereion unlf
while a Ehe ehooclng range is making a ne?r FA

irearm.

e defined in Tltle 26, Unb,ed StaEes code {U.s.c.},

Chapter 53, 6ection 5845{b} of he Nat,lonal Firearne
Act (NF\) , the terrn "machinegur" mene any weapon
which eho.ot,e or ie deaigned t,o shoo. or can be readily
reetored bo shoot automalically more bhan one ohoL,
vithoue manual reloadd.ng, by a slngle funcLion of the
trigger. The Lem etrall include Lhe frame or receiver
of any auch wea:on, ny prL deelgned and intended
eolely and excluaivelyf or conibination of parle
deegned and int.ended, for uee in converElng a !ea)on
lnbo a maehlnegun, and any conbination of part.e from
which a machinegun can be asemb)ed if such parts are
in t..he posaeaalon or under Ehe control of a person.

'fh ppropriate paperr*ork for a regieered M16 type

firearm (regieLered machinegun receiver) includes Ehe
caLlber of uhe weapan ln fhe firearm de:cription.
Norrnally, AR-L5/H16 Lyre frearm are ehanbered for
caliber .223/5.56mm ammunltion. To ternporarily change

"99.9q..
AURITM

AT

( t5

/&

IbX

n
t-9

tr

REr,IEWEF

i-

arvieiven

$EW

fiVvn

I
!

47

RTP

tshe M16 ttTle fiream. whlLe at the

ehoobing trange, by lnacalli ng,a .22LR converEon unlt
and then later removing bhe converslon unll, would not
be mahlng a new machinegun. ft is not a violat,ion of
Federal 1at Lo insral.l nd remove the .22LR convereion
uniL.

the callber of

48

RIP

i ..

,.tf.

0Ec

Glw

-glffi

ITi;'T8'w

ear

*hLs ref,ers to ycur letter of $epterber 24, 1993 ,

concernlng uadifLcatl.ons to a rElstered lIK-3{ r ifle
rhich has beEn sonvertad Lnto a nachLaegua.
s defire in $ 5s45(b of the tfatlonal Firaarus ct,
the em raaehlnegun includes any ealon lrlch ehocts,
fs desLEaed tc shoot, or can e readlly restor to
ghoot utonatically nore than one rhot. vittrou anua1
reloading, by a slnElc function of the trigger. Tlre
ten hall also include th f,rae or resalver of any
such ireapoa.

rlfle shich hae been

converted to shoat autonatlsrlly is a urehlnegun.
l{o$avetr, lf, tha reeelver has not been altered, the
receLvar alone rsould not eet the dcflntlon of *
nachlnagrun. If the recelver La altered to aecept a
rachinagrua Errip hausing, he reeeLvar rorld then bacorne
a raachlnsgun, It ls not lscful to rltgr your recelvar
to :achlnegua conff.guratl.on even lf the conplt eapon
Ls reElstared as a uachinegun.
A lleclcler & Kach l{odel l{K94

?he efinltiEr of a achlnegun alss ncludes any lart

deslgned and intended sclely and exclueiveLy, or
combinat,cx of prt desl.gned an inened, for use is
eonvertin s apon Lnto a machinegru*.
lh conl)enelt Ln th grlF housfng of lrar gonverted
rifle ueet, the def,lnltlon of a uachlnegnrn. ft the grrlp
houslng ss pssead sapatately fron the ret ef the
f,lrearn, te grlp houslng could eet the definttlon of

a nachLnegun.

00E

IUR.
fiAlrE

3VlWA

IIIG frI

A1

?f ;1315.t^ t .t4

asP.cs toe Dt?tft $r$rclr

EYtE$Sfr

YIEWE

I
AIFSVL Ai 3LAANCE

*,ruru

*rt?*trrt tf

oF rLCOIl tQl^coo

49

IrtE

I'l

lficr8rt

ftsr

{rto,; t*r r.{lriirt

-

RTP

-2-

ff the fire control couponents do not function

reliably, they raay be repal,red. llotrever, lt Le not
lasful to replace tte existlng converElon sear or
replaee the grip houslng rrith an HK nachl.negun grlp
heusl.ng adaptad to tlt on the seniautomattc recelver.
lle regret ttat our rpon ln thlg aatter has not beEn
ore iavorable. If you have further questl.ons
concernl"ng thle natter pleaee contact us.
Sincerely yotrr,

Chief,

c(}0E

IItITIATFI

REVtFh,ti

fduard lil. osan, iFr.

Firear^ms fechncSogy Sranelr

EVlnrt

iEvtt't E

EVTEWE

TYTI'EF

SU"
t!Af,a

OAT

All

F13:t,6A t..?l
CORRSPONDEHC AFFSOV*L AN CLFA*A{CE
aPLACS tO8 Er!Tlgfl WHCH IS 8SEL

en

tau

oF

Ffi oFnr tiasuaf

ll&rlol.lotco

r{ tgatrrs

* u'' ftP.: rr- glaartraa

RTP

'rr

LE: F:TE

Jn- 2 4 pgA

33t 2,5

o".'Gffiil
ths refers te your letter of June 25, 1992 ln hlch
you request Lnforrati$n on nodifying a full slze uzl
subnachnegun into a ninl Uzi subnachinegun.
.s defined in tbe Gun Control Act of 168 {c},
13 U.S.C. Chapter 44 $ 91tal (f l, the tern tfrearmt,
in part, neans ny weapon deslgned tc expel a
proJecile(s) by the action f an explosive andlor t'he
recelver or frame of any such rreapen. Furtber, as
defined in ?6 tt.S,C Ctrapter 53 $ s845{b} of the
NatJ.onal !'irearn ,ct {nFA}, th tera rnacbinegun[
neans ny enpou shlch shoots, ls deslgnd to shcr:t,
autamaticaly mcre than ane shot, riout nanual
reloading, by a single function of the trigger- 3h
terra shall alse inclue the frame cr receiver of any
such weepo:1, any part designed and latended solely and
exclus3.vely, or co*rbination of parts designed, and
nterded fr use in converting a rapoil into a
nachLnegen and any conblatan of parts fran shich a
nactrinegun cn e assernIed f such parts are tn the
possesson cr uner the control of a persori.
Furtber, Publie La 99-3og (100 STT, 491, effective
llay 19, 1986. thich amended the GC f .969, rrovides
that lndlviduals are probi.blted fro:n :nakng,
transf,erring, r possessing nachlneguns that lrere
manufactured on/or afer Uay,19, 1985, except thoe
machineguns *ade for the benafit of a federal, State,
or Iscal govrnnt entlty. I'Iachineguns made,
transferred, or Fossessed in conpliance r+ith the
provlsiong of tlre NF, t}llr to ltay 19, 198, rnay
contLnue to be latrfully possessed y the eron to whan
the rnashinegrn is regietered and nay, pon canrliance
sith the provisions of the NF, be 1acfu1Iy transferred
and FEssesEed.

ffil

oo
8U.
*r

,*

o19

frt
EOtltOr*teH

flrc

'l-ttsr!rt

rvrFwft

7t

APPFOYAL

EPAf,lx$I

OF

THE tEAt['Y

rilru f Lcolrol.TollcooA rnlrl3

1,.'.Atrrtrr.*ttrdr lt - i.fGi

5l

RTF

I
t

-2-

flre
Yos lndlcate that this
fron a reglsered

nini Uzi subnachinegun woud be

full size llzl subnachinegun. ff
the
it is constructed fron a registred Uzi rnach3.negun,
registered Uzi raachinegun r.ould no longer exlst. your
use of naterlal frorn a registered fuL1 size Uzi
submachLnegun does not nean that the ne naclrinegun is
regietered in the llatonal Firearns RegLstration and
Transfer Record {}fRfR}. *h }FRTR sauld be anended to
ref,lect, that the exlstlng IJzl n*chlnegun no longer
exists. fn crder to establlsh reietration of the nn
Uzi sumachJ.negun, it will be necesgary for yeru to file
an AlF 3'orm 2 to establish registrati<n of the new

made

firearm-

In addltiR, the nini Uzi

submachinegun

trill

have

to

be

conspictrously narked vith your License nane ad

locatian in cornpllance with 27 C.F.R part 1?g g 178.92
and part 1?9 S L75.1o2. Furhr, disposition of the
nev machLnegun is restricted under the provisions cf,
18 TJ.S.C. 5 922{0}. This neans tha he net mLnl Uzi
submachiregun *ou1d be a past llay 1?, 1986 tnchlnegun
and could cnly be transferred as a dealer sanple or tc
a Fderal, State, or loea1 gvTrfnnt entity,
iftth respect tc your other question regrding excise
tax; a capy erf your letter hs been fanardad to the
Frears & Sxplosive Opertions Brench for reply.

trust that the foregolng has been responsive tc

lnqury. If le may be af any further asslstarce,

Iile

your

Flease contct us.

Sincerely yorsr

uu*u"Pof o*"n, rr.

chief, FlrEarns f*chncLogy

lnlTtTgR

EVtEWEf

=YI-UTER

RYIYYEF

Sranch

Eyl5rE

E5VEh'EE

CDE
3UR.

AU
OT

lr

F1t28.iA { -|a
cRR8$gEirc PPVAL AIIO LRAIICE
RFLC8S't6 BtrtoN tHrcH rso6soL1

52

rt

:rnrT t Tr{ tl[nY

llrrEu 0F ALCOXoL flCf,,gt flg^t

.t

CryrPllt'tqi*

ttl-

tfftt

RIP

I
sEP I 2 les4

T,EIF:TE
3312 .5

IW

W
Dear

This refere to your letter of ugst 12, 199, ln rhlch

you rquest permission to assenble a Tugoslavian, Iodel
49 type subnachinegun using your regtstered !4F-4o
receivsr ube and Ygoslavian, l,lodel 19 subrnachinegun
parts kt. Ycu state tha the !,1P-4C tube and the FIodeL
49 recever tube are of, slnilar length a*d the MP-4o
tube i1l nat *aterially change Ln diaensio or
functlon, Further, you state that he receiver ineide
dianeter s the sare for both guns. Lastly, your l-lp-d0
rseiver tube lE ot eut for the ejeclon port.
s def,Lnad ln 26 tlnited States Code {t}.S,C.}, Chapter
53, Section 5845{b}, the tertrr ttnactrf.negunrt neans ay
repsn shch shocts, ls designad to shnot, or can be
readily restored to ahoot Eutonatically nore than one
slrct, rlthout nanual reloading, by a slngle functLon of
the trlgger. The tern shall alsc include the frane or
recellrer of any such weapon, any part designed or
lntened solely and exclusively, or a canblnaticn of
parts fron which a nachinegun can be assembled if, such
parts are in the possession :r under the sontrot of a
persn. ft ls unLavful for nyone to poseess art NF
frearm rhlch is no! reglstered i* accordance uth the
proveions af, the Hational Firearns ct {NF}.
Furttrer, Fublie Lau 99-38 {1Og STT. {9}, effectlve
llay 19, 1996, t*hlch anended the ur Csntrl ct of 1968
(ccl, provLdes that lndlviduals are prohiblted fren
naking, transferring, or possessing rrachineguns that
$ere manufactured onlor af,ter !{ay 19, 1986, except
those ma*hlneguns made for the eaefit of a Federal,
SEat*, or 1ccal gov*rnnent entlly. !{achineguns made,
trarsferred, er possassed ln conpliance rith the
ffEVtS$aEF

co0t

EVIEWE

EVIEWEB

FTVIEWER

3U.
iAM
1

-r4
Dt<!* n HrcH

OTI'CE PPROVL

13

8OLTE

'{D CLABANE

oPArllcr or llla ?Esrjv

&ru oF

totto|.
- ro8corxo

FrREtl
|!rt 4E t+srtatr

I.
53

RIP

I
-2-

t{I6t

of the NF, prior to l{ay 19, 1986, nray

continue to be larfully possessed by tha peraon to vhon
tte uachinsgun is regisered and &ay, upon corpll,anee
t*ith the provisions of the NFA, be lar*fully transf,e*ed
provl*on

and possessed.

the lnfornation you have provided and our

research. it rould not be possible to -eonvert yur
reElsered I'lP-40 tue inte a Yugtoslv{an, tilodel t9 type
subnaehinegun before maklng rnaJor urodificatlons to the
l,fP-0 recelver tuba. These nodlficatlons include:
Frst, the tro recelver tubes are of diffeen! lengtlrs,
Based on

ii:l
i*
the

;3,:?:":':"in:"'$i:"1" "*:ii:i",

ffi

ve
ft appears that
reeel"vEr tube 11 1bg
required
the convereion s you have indlcated.
Iou state that you do no lraye an eJectioa port cut 1n
your registered NP-40 receiver tube. o you have the
magazine uell port. Fear port and lock knob not, port
not cut as *e11? tllth the modiflcaLons that are
requlred, the *1P-40 receiver would no longer exlst.
Your use of naerlal frora a registered !tP-4t receiver
tube to nake a Tugostavian, trlodel. dS type subnacbinegun
does not mean that the nell rnachineun ls reglstered in
the l{atlonl Firearns RegistratLon nd ?ransf,er Record
{$fR"E}. ?he }FRTR t*<u}d be ar*ended to reflect that
the existing llP-40 receiver tue na lcner exists. fn
order to establish reglstratlon of tlre Yugoslavlan,
Madel 49 t:e submach{negunr lt rrou}"d e necessary for
the lieEnsed manufacturer tc file an F Frm 2 to
t5

EI

n
to mare

esteblish reglstration of the ner* firearm.

n addilcn, lra Tugoslavian, Hodel 49 type
eub:nachlnegrn viLl haye to be conspicueusly nark*d rith
the clasc ? rnanufacturerts licese narne and location in
eoarpllance rlth 2? cFR, Part t?8, Se*ton f?S.92 an
Part 1?9 Sectton t79,O2. Further, the dlsposS.tion of

tt9tTtTgF

8-VtSWE

FgVIE}IIEF

FEVIEIIEF

nvlEwER

$tsvtEn

coE

!n

SUR.

ifir
BAT

IlFF1&I6,TAI'.I7I
nlLAcEs tt E?ttN

rlf}.cH

CCRF:IPOf*DJSPPAOVAL*NCLCFCS
3rrlJ F

tE oBSoLETE

54

oNrEr{t oF Tr ?i,giY
LCO'L OICOHo fttIr8

a {

lttgt-ttataa0

RIP

itr('ftI,Eail!rc*t

the new rnaehinegun ls restrlcted under the provisions

of, 18 U.S.C. Section 922(o). fhls nenE that the ne?t
lugoslavian, lrodel 49 type sub:achinegun would be a
post lilay 19, 1986, nachinegun and could be transf,erred
aE a deaLer sanple or to a Federal, State, or local

entlty,
T{e tru=t that the faregoi.ng has been responsiv to Tour
Lnguiry. If tle nray be of further assistance, please
govsrnnent

contact us.

Slncerely yoursr

Sduard lil. O?en, Jr.

Chef, Firears Teehnclogy Branch

coE

INITI*TOR

REVIY9ER

NEVIEWEF

AEVIEY'Eff

REVtElrre

FIEVIEWEF

TUB.

r{ir
OAT

ITF F'I328.8A
RE9LACSS

{4.''}

l08

CORSPOHDHCE PPV*L Af\O CLRCE

Ot?tS t{Hrc}r lS COLfiE

55

or

fi?rxr oFT8 tiuaY

BUEETU OF tcoxot-

At FRrRrts
.ult108cco
c;ol tj$r{len.al3

RIP

DEPARTTIEI{T OF THE THEASUBY

auEAu oF ALCOHOL rOsC60 AfiO RRETAXS

o -8t3

CORRESPONDNCE APPROVAL ANT CLEARANCE

;t,,;.

.-.J

e03oso

[re

331r/o-813

tI
(
Dear

6
X
ffi

pj

Thie refers to your letter of ugust 25, 200,

lequesting classification of t'wo devicea you
eubnibEed. The Lwo devicef, are deeeribed in your
leLt,er as .22 callber and 12-gauge caliber adapbers
designed for uee in 40mm caliber grenade launching
firearms and irlended to allow sub-caliber ammunilian
to be fired frorn thaL launcher.
?i1e 18, UniEed stateB code (U.s'c.). Chaptet 44,
estin 92L {a} (3) , Ehe Gun Conlral ct of 1968 {Ge}.
in part, deflnee a "fiream" as: (Ai any weapon
{including scarter gun) which will or i.s designed
t or may readily be converted Lo expel a projeclile
by Lhe actian of an explosive: (B) the frame or
receiver of any such weapon''

Title 26 lJ.S.C., ChapLer 53, section 5845, of the

National Firerms AcE (NFA) def ines certaln Lype'e of
flreame which, depending on f,heir bore diameEer,
eize, or configuraLion, are also subjcE Eo he
provisions of che NFA. It iB unlar+ful for anyone Eo
pou**"t an NF firearrn which is npL regiecered in
accordance wibh uhe provieione of che NF.

CD

SUBHHE
OAT

rc re
f

EI/IEWE

Ll

'ua

56

offii

tr|{6*

lto.- 6}3t9'23':

RIP

SEPRTHEilT OF THE TREASUFY

BUEE^U OF LCOllOr{ TOECCO At{D RRE BT8

CORRES

GLEARAHCE

-2-

The eubmir.ed eub-caliber adapcers are deeigned and

j.ntended for uee in 40nsn callber grenade launching
devicee. One ie a eingle shot device manufactured t,o
Lhe dimeneierne of a 40mrn cartridge and is capable of
diecharging eighLeen .22 Rimfire cart.ridges. Thig

device ie reloadable, utiLizee a piet.ol primer to

acuaee Ehe eight,een firing pina in the device, rd
incorroratee ite or.n smoolh bore barrela.

the aecond devlce le aleo manufacbured t.o the

dimeneione of a 40mm eartridge. f is capable of
chambering and discharging a single lz-gauge
shotsbell.
Baeed on an examina!,ion of Lhe aubmit,ced devices. lre
flnd hab each 1s a sub-caliber adapf,er for a 40mm

grenade launcher and ig noL flrearm ag defined.

therefore, Ele eub-caliber adaptere alone would noE be
eubjecE bo he provieione of che GCA or bhe NF.

lhie claesiflcaUion is baaed n t,he examination of Ehe

devicee as submibted and ehir lntended use in a 40!rn
destructive device. "deebruct,ive device" is
deflned fn the NF,, in part, as uary Upe of weapon by
whaEever name krovn which wi1l, or whch may be
readily convert,ed to, expel a projectile the
acEion of an exploafve or oLher propellant,, bhe barrel
or barrels of which have a bore of, more Ehan one'ha1f
lnch in dlameEer.o lJse of Ehese adapt,ere in a lmm
deeEructive devl.ee euch ae lhe Ft79 or Ehe M203 grenade
launcher would not alber the claesificabion of Ehe
grenade launcher under lhe NF. If lhe deaigm,
dimeneions, or cnsEructlon of theee devicee urere
changed, thia claselfication eould be eubject to
alceracion by thie office.
ny eub-caliber adapEer *hieh ie altered or
qonacructed t,o functitn in gas/flare guae having a
bore dlameter greater thn one-half lnch erould caue
the gaB/flare gun t,o be claEeified ae a desLruceive
device aE deflned in he NF.

INII}ATOF

AEVIEIT'ER

REVIEWER

BEVIEWER

FEVIEWER

REVIWER

CODE
SURAME

t,

OT

II.

'lr

57

**

?rF

fu, -tttqftngt l

RIP

'

ETIFEAU OFALCOfiOL TO8CCO ARD

HRAril8

,co_EBE9p,9*N9!N-c.t-Pln9J,tUeqLEBtgE_**___

-3-

WD
hat bhe foregolng hae been reaponeive Eo
your ingulry. ff we can be of any further aeEietance,
pleaee conlaet us.
{e Lrust

Sncerely yours,

58

RIP

DEPARMEIT OFHE RESTNY

' -'

connedb"riJ'fiffl"uce

FEB

F: FFS: F?B

-3

331

l99g

IGillIXEE

*"tffit
This refers tc yur letter of Decernber 4, 1998. in
whj-ch you ask aboul converting a regislered UZI
Carblae machinegun conversi.on bolt ts funcioc in a

Mini-?I carbine

deflned in secLion 5845 {b} of lhe lgatiCInal Firearns

{}E'A}. the lerm mahinegun j.ncludes ny parl
desined aad inte*ded solely and exclusively, cr
conbination of, parts designed and intended, for use in
converlin a La>on into a machineg1n.,.. Cerlain
bolts hi.ch are designed to allor+ art ljL serniaulomalic
carb!*e to fire from the open bolt positicn are

.s

ct

ma*hinegurs s defined. It is unlatnful for aayone tt:

make or possess a sqachinegun which s not reglslered
in accordance r.ith the provisions of the NF, It is
unlarful for idividuals to transfer or possess .
machiaegen which l{as not }arrfulLy postessed prar to
Hay 3.9, 1936 (18 U.S.C, S 922{oll. It is unlafu1 to
transfer a serial nusber frm one regstered
machinegun to aroLher machinegun. 3t ie also unla*ful
for anycrre l< obllterate, renv, chang*, or aller the
seria nunbe and other required idenliflcation of a
machi*egun. (26 u.S.C. S 5861{g} } .

fle have previousS.y determined that t s possible lc

aLter a sandard 3I carbne conversi+n bolt to
functlan in an {JZI Mini Carbine without destrcyng the
origna! reistered bolt and rithcut creating a n'
boLt *hi.ch is not registered, The apprcved
modtflcations corsist of removi. section
from the canter
wgl
ec

EYIYIE*

area

tfEYtEweta

r{

f{EVIEWtsFI

EVIEUIEft

F;VIWER

coE
SUBT,lM

TE

t\
'U.S.Co?rnrrilrlatde

gtd rltt'

lt.oolrtaa\

1I

59

RiF

DEPARTMETT OF THE TREASURY

TO5CeO il FRERf{S

BUREAU OF

^LCOHOT,
CORRESPONDENC
APPROVL AI'ID CLEARANCE

--

@IgxIgt

ffi

. A portion of the front piece of the bolt

can then be reattached t.o the rear section as shorn in
the enclosed drawing. ?he two extensions may then be
reshaped so that they wj-l1 function in the Mlni
Carbine receiver without allerations t Lhe receiver.
The nodifications must not affect the existng
rnarkings on the ori.ginal bolt. The aodified bolt nusl
be used in a Mini UZI carbne r.riehout alterations lo
tle receiver.
It is our opinicn Lhal the
described .auld not change
u*der the provislcns of, 26
1 tj.s,C. S 922 to) , lher
firearms sr colnponents

nrodiflcaLions perforned as

tle stalus af the olt

U.S.C. Chapt*r 53 or
modifications to any other

affect tbeir status,

may

Fcllorring lh modificatons, you should not.ify the t'iFA

Branch, in wriLin, of the changes in dimensions so
hat. Lhe l{ational Firearms Registration and Tran*fer
Record {NFR?R.} can be updated to accurately reflecl

the description of the registered bolt,

!{e lrust that lhe fo:egoing has been respcnsive to

your inquiry. ff you have fulher questions, please
co*tacL ug.

Sincerely yoirs,

1:

Chief,

Edsard 4. Swen, ,Jr,

Firearms Technology Sranch

nclosure

tNtuAI{'l

AEVIEIVER

ffEVIEV{ER

REVIEWER

EVrWE

REVIEWFFI

gODE
3U8'IAME
TATE
'U.S,

60

ooffi.l{

PrhlnOllit: lg'ltt. altlt

RTP

OEPAFTETIT OF THE TREASUBY

EUFE UOF^LCqHOLrOBACegrOFIRE RtaS

CoRFESPONLENCE APFROVAL AND CLEARANCE

P IE

(
Dear

eo350

grc

33tL I 2A02 -33

b X6 )
Gre

Thls a in reply to your }et,[er aeking about t.he

Legality of inetalting a pre-ban uppr receiver vrth a
on a pre-ban louer receiver.
@
fneEalllng a barrel of lese than 16 inchee on a preban R-15 rifle would be making a firearm auh'ject to
the provieione of the Naf,lonal Firearme AcE (lA),
TitLe 26, UnJ.t,ed SEatee Code (U.S.C.), Chapter 53. To
lawfully mahe e ehort-barrel rifle, an TF Form 1 muat
be eubrnit-ted along wlth the required S20 makng tx.
t{hen the applicatlon le approved and reEuraed, che
rifle barreL could be poseessed and than lnaElled on
an AR-15 t1e rifle
?he Violent Crlme Cnrol nd lrarr, nforeemenE AcE lras
enaced on September L3, 1994, Thle Acl banned the
manuf,aeeure, posesslon, or transfer of semiautomatic
aseauLE weapone that were not lawfully poaseseed under
Federal law on hat. date.

s {ieflned la lt1e 18, U.S.C.. Chapter {1, aect.lon

921 (a) (30t (B) , Lhe Lerm "eemiautomaLic aesauLg weapon'

means a gemlautomatic rifle lhat hae an abllluy to
aceept a delachable magazlne and has aL leasb 2 of-

REV:WER

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SURNAM
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OEPARTMEHT OF THE TREAST'RY

suREu oF ALCOHOL, TOEACCO AHD FrRE*lS

At'D CLEARANCE

CORBESPONDEHCE A

-fiIGil

(i)
{ii}
(ii
(iv)
tv)

a folding or telescoping stsock

a pistol grip Chat protrudes conspicuously
beneath the acion of the rieapon;
a bayonet mount;

a flaeh

aupprereor

or

Ehreaded

designed to accommodate
a grenade launcher.

barrel

a fi.agh auppressor and

ssult weapon irr

coasistlnE of a
receiver and a1]. parts to assern*3.e a complete NF or
semautomaic asgault weapon, ls aubject to regulation
if parrs are aegregated or packaged together and held
by a person as the prs for Ehe aesembly of a
parEcular firearm, FurLher, it, is untawful to make a
semiauEomatic assault ueapon if not lar*ful1y posseaaed
on or before September 13, 1994.
l,Ie cautioa you that, a semiaufcmaLic
knockdor.n {disassenbled} cosdion,

The above-mentioned firearm canfiguraLlcns may be

restricted under StatE lar+'g ard locaL ordinances.
suggesE thae you conlacL local tar+ enforcement
auhoriEies for further nformaion,

We

lfe regret the dlay in responding to your iaquiry, If

$re cn be trf any furtlrer assistaneer please contact
ut.

Sincerely yours,

Actiag Chfef,, Firearms ?echnology Sranch

u\at I t

(,t{

NEYEWEF

RFYETT,N

EVEYYER

HEYIE}YE

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Thl-s refers to your letter of Septenber 2, L992 t

concerning nodiflcationa to a regisgred_Hrkler and
Koeh (IlK! -machlnegrun, serlal nuner

sff[

The deflnit,lon of a nachlnegrn in S 5S45{b} of the

llational FLrearEa Act (!fFl includes several seprate
cateories. Cert,al"n parts and eonponants of a
machLnegiun re subJect to control.s, Frrrther,
alteratlon of parts and conponents cf a flrearm, can
change tlre status of the conponents.
E deflned in Eestlon 5845(b) of the IIFA, the ter!
nachlnegun lncludes any rieaon whicb shoots, ls
deslgned to ahoot, or can readlly be reslored to shoot
autonatlcally more than one shot grlthout eanual
reloadlng by a elngle functlon of tbe trlgger.
seml,autoratlc llK94 rlfle wloh bas ee canverted to
shoot autonatlcally ie a achLnegrun as deflned, and lt
1s regulred to be regletered under the provlsions of
the !f.

fh deflnltlon f a nachinegun also includse a

or recelver. s descrl.bed, the
subJect firearn Incorporateg a frarne or receiver hioh
has nat been altered to racblnegun configuratton.
Although, the conplete :reapon eet6 the definitlon of a
nachlnegun, the unaltered frae or recelver, nltbout
the other parts, yould not be elaesified as a

machinegun frarne

machJ-negrun.

lteratlon of the recel.ver to accspt, a Endard BK

nachlnegun grip houslng rould place the receiver under
the def,lnitlon of a Dactrinegun,

c{I}E

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FEVIEWER

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REVIWEA

CONFSFOHDEiCE
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AFPAOVL I{D CLEAfiNCE

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The deflnilon of a nachlnegun also includee any part

deelgned and lntended eolely and excluer.vely, cr
conblnatlon of parts desiqrned and lntended for use in
convertLng a Heapon lnto a nachlnegun.
The special selective firs grlp lroualng asaenbly used
rlth Tour eenlautotratl receiver also neetE the
deflnltlon of a nachlneg:un. 8o longi ae theae grLp
houeing conponentg rain as coPonents of the conpLete
reglstered vapon, they are lawfu, to possesE; honever'
lf the speclal selective flre grlp houelng conponents

rere held or transferred separately fron the regietered

flreann, they uould be unlasful to possess.
18 U.S.C. Chapter 44 5 922(ol provldes that 1t ls
"1tle
ulaful for lndivldualE to poesees a nachinegrun ublch
nas not }awfully possessed prlor to May 19. 1986.
ff you alter the receiver to accept a nachlnegrun qrp
hcueing, thE recalver would tten beoone a rnachlnegun
and lt rould beeon ubJect to th provleions of
S 922 (o) . \rther, tha egaclal gelective f ire girlp
bouelng conponents uhich are deeigmed to flt on the
se$lautonalc recefver, would then congtltute an
adltLonal nachlneqrun tbich carld not be lawf,ully

possesaed.

{e Lrust that the foregolng hae been reeponelve to your

lnqulry. ff you have furher gueet{ong concernlng this
matter please contact us.

slncerely your6,

]s
Edward ll. tren' itr.
Chief, Flrearus Technology

tf{tTrToR

REVEVIIER

aEvtEwEfl

RFVIEU'EF

Branch

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'IEYfTIY

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CORSPIIIIUTCE FPNOVAL ANg CI.IRAHCE

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3312,5

O*at

This referg to yeur 1eter of iluly 1, t992t in +lch

you ask about aEsemJ.ing a subnactrin+gun using a
registered Sten resever ith a ttotclkiss t'*ype
gniversalr maclrnegun parts set,
s def,Lned ln S 5845() of the Xation} Firearns ct
{}f}, the tern machinegun includes the frne or
trecelver nf a nreapon t^bich shoots, is designed to
shoot, or catr be readily restored to shoot,
autonateaL1y rnare han one shot, lthcut nanual
reLoading, by a single function of the triger.
Further, an unserviceable machinegun hich is incapable
of expelLing a shot and lncapable of being readily
restored to flring condl.tfon ls stlll. subJect to tlF

controls.

Tc renove a nachLnegun frn Nr& ontro.s, the receiver

must be *issing or destroyed, Fro ex*ination of your
surntted rawings, the parts set rhich yo posess
lncludes the front and rear portions of the receiver.
section. *easuring
n Length, is cut a*ay and
cripticn provided. the
receiver
not been destroyed and it has rat been
rsnoved f,ron l.lF controlE.
Ts reGve tle recelver fron llF controls, the hollov
tubular portLon af the front and rsar receivetr aectons
should be destroyed. The tlrreaded front portian
covered y the barrel ut and the portion covered by
the rear end cap may be renoved f,ron the t:bular
receiver portLons and rataine.

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ffittj

It es nst pper feasible to use Sten gun reeelver

vith the Hstchkiss parts kit due to essential
differences beteen the tro firearms regarding the bolt
slot, magaaLne openings, sear slot and other features.
Further, if you rere to Ehorten the sten receiver to a
and attach it to the
Iength of aplroxinrately HgL
sectfons of the Hochkiss rece:fver, the registered Sten
receiver vau].d no longer exl"st. Use of a piece of a
regstered receiver to conEtruct a nI{ and different
receiver dres not mean that the neu receiver would
still be reglstered.
You shoul also b $are that S 5861{9} and {h} of the
NFA provide that it sha1l be unlasfu! to obliter*e,
rnove, clrange ar alter the serial number or other
requLred identifcatLon of an l.lFA flrearm; or to
poEsess r l.F firearm havlng the serial numer er
other required identificatlon obLiterated, reoved,
changed, or aStered.
Fe reEret that our response n thiE tattr has n<t been
more faverable. If you have further questions
concerning this natter pLease contact us.
Sincerely yours,

ftl
Chief.

co

tlTtTo

REV|WEA

Edward M. owen, rlr.

Frearns feclrnology Branch

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COGSFO{O:tC PPOI'L IO CLFAIUCE

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3312.5

W
ear

Ahis refers to your ltter of ugust 8, 1,992, 1n r+lrich

you ask about aseenbling a submachinegun uslng a
reqistered Sten rcel-vr r+ith a Hotchkiss ttType
Universaltt naehinegun parts set.
s defineA in S 5S45{b} of the National Firearrns ct
{}F}, the tern :T}achinegun includeg the frane or
recever of a r.reapcn vhch shoots, is desi.gned to
shoot, or can be readly restored to sboct'
autonatically nare than ne shot, without manual
of the trlger.
reloading,
-anby a single function
unservl*eabl rnachlnegun r,hich is incapeble
Turther,
of expelling a shot a*d ncapable of being readily
restared to a f,ring conditian is st,lLl subJect to ll9
controls.
To remove a llotchlciss recej.ver fron NFA entrcle ' the
hotlor tubular portion of the receiver sust be nrissing
or destroyed, h lhrde front portion covered by
the barrel nut and tha pertion c<vered by the rear and
cap nay be fen<ved from ttre tubuLr receiTer pcrions
and retalned.
It does not appear feasible tc use a Sten gu* receiver
lth the llstchkiss parts kit due ts essential
differences beteen the two firearms regrding the bolt
slot, rnagaalne openings, sear slgt a*d other feateres.

Further, if yau ere to shoren the Sten receier and

attach it to existing sestiens of a Hotchiss reciverr
tlre reglstered Sen receiver cuLd no Loner exist.
tise of a piece of a reietered receiver to censtruct a
nen and dlfferent recei.ver does not nean that the neu
recelver uould stii.1 be reglstered'
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1?rO' WHICfi S OSSLY

APOVL CLEIgC

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-2-

W
also be aware that S 5861(9) and (h) of the
ura provide that lt shal1 be unlarvful to cblerate,
reove, change or alter the serlal nunber ar other
required identificaton of an NFA firear:n; cr to
possess a an NF firearn having the serial number or
oher required identification obliterated' rernoved,
changed, or altered,
l.le rgrt that our resFonse in this matter has not been
more favorable. ff you have further quastions
concerning tlrls matter, please csntaet us.
incerely yours,
You should

re

^ Edard til, trtren, Jr.

chief, Firerrs Technoloy Brareh

TgD

INITIATOR

aEvtEtrJt{

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DEPARTMNT ()F THE TRASUIY

SUREAU OFAI-COHOT- TOEACC() AND FIRERM$

eo3osowD

,oc

O*at

24

331112002 - ?04

?gtz

This refers to your FAX request of ugust. 29, ztg2, in

which you aek ab*ut asseibLing a Lanchester, F1KI L1e
submachinegun using a regiscered Se$ recever and a
Lanchester parUe

klt.

gcen gun recelver is a firearra and a nachinegun as

defined in Til1e 26, llnited States Code {tt.S,C.},
Chapter 53, secin 545(b) of lhe I'latj.o*a1 Firearms
c tll.}. IE is unlauful for nyoe to make or
possess a machinegua, uhich ie nol regist,ered in
accordance t*iEh lhe provieions of tre NF,. It is
unlawful fcr indviduals Lo t,ransfer trl poress
machinegun, which $a not, 1a*fu1}y possessed prir to
May 19, 1986 (e U,g.C. Secllon 922 (o)].

You propose c lse an

entise regis.ered Sten receiver

and inatall Lancheeter machineEun parte as deserbed
n your letter. Based on the informaEian provided,
the alterations would lncLude the foll$ingr
1

fl

Wl T,A"F.TEA3.GOT

69

RIF

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Based r the information provided and

cmprEive examinalion of a earnple

our research by
af each weapon
taken from our firearns reference collectlon, we have
determned eha Tour proposaLs lleted abave are
satief,aeory provided. that no si.gniican aLerations
are made to th regielered SEen receiver. e.9.,
alterlng exist
cutous or
additona1
cutouts"

tt )
b XEI

Further, based on the infornalon provided, the bovedescibed modfications $ou1d ou be unlar*ful. ?b
eerl.al nurnber ad other rerired ldeneifieaicn of the
machinegun must not be obliterated., removed, changed
os altered {26 U,S.C, sect,ion 561tg}}, fer the
alleraEiane are performed, nolif,catior: must be made
ts th Natiora1 Firarms c Franch at TF
lleadguarters reflect,ing Ehe changes made to he
dimensj.ons nd description of the regiatered firearm.
lfe trust that, the foregoing hae been reeponeive o
your inquiry. If ve nay be of any further asgLsLance,
please csntact us.
9i.ncerely yours.

Clief

Curcis H,. sarllet,t

FJ.reams ?echnology Branch

7g

RTP

Nt{ 3 isgz

F:18:
3312.5

LE:

s..'GffiL
This referg to your .etter of october 8, tggT, ln uhlch
you ask about asgebllnE rnaehlneguns using reglstered
sldeplatee,
As deflned in S 5845{b) of the Natlonal Firears ct
(NF) . the te:r rrachinegun includea the frame or
receiver of a weapon whlch shoots, ls designed to
shoct, or can readlly be re5ored to Ehoot
autcnatically nore than one shot {ithout nanual
reloadlng by-a single fuctlon of the trigger. f{e havs
determlned that eldeplates for certain nachineguns are
subJect to NF controle.
A registerad sideplate can.e conblned with a pars set
of a conpatibl.e nodet to assanble a functlonal
nachlnegrun, l,len the firear ls assenbled. the NF
Brarcb should be notlfled so that the pbysical
descrlptlon of, the firearn (1e. cali-ber, barrel length,
overall length, nd any addltlonal narklngs) can be
recorded. Please note, it ia unlarful to remove,
obllerate, or alter any of the reguired ldeniflcatlon
rnarktnge on the regietered sldeplate.
If nodifications re neded to asselble the sldepLate
to a parts klt, you should contact us prlor to
perfornlng any such nodificatons and provlde dtailed
irfornation reEarding the type of nodlflcations wltich
are needed. Bee of a regletered sldeplate, or a
portlon thereof, to construt a different tre of
flrea::r, nay not be lauful .
a

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-2( t5 X 6

trut that the foregolng has been reeponslve to your

inquiry. ff you have iurther questione, please contast
tl'
W

slncerery your.,
<_

Edward fl

. Of{n, iIr.

Chl-ef, Flrearne Techn1ogy Eranch

12

RIP

8UR.AU OF ALCOHOI" TOB^CCO l'D n8elllg

CORRESPONDENGE APPROVAL AND CLEARANCE

ll,j,ii

tr,;ji:i. l6tr6il
J;.1.1/'?t03-i95

.'

tc

X6

ii

Dear

Thle ie in reeronee E.o your facsiLle eEer of

,January 12. 2ca2, regardlng modiflcatione you wleh to
perform on your Heckler 5 Koch (Ht() , todel sws-pDt,
9mm ealiber, eemiautomLlc carbine.
Ae deflned in Title 26, United St,abeg Code (U.S.C.),
chapEer 53, ectlon 5845{b}, of the Naclona} Pirearme
et {IF), the Lerm "machinegunr means any wepon
rhich ehoote, ie designed Lo hoot, or cn be readily
reet,ored to hoots uEornaEically rnore than one ehot,
withoul rnanual reloding, by a aingle funcclon of the
lrigger. Tle lerm shall aleo include the frarne or
recelver of any such Hepon, any parg designed and
lnbended aolely ad exclueively, or codblnation of
pares dealgned and intended, for use ln conwerbing a
weai)n ino a machinegun, and aly combination of parte
from vhich a naehinegun can be aseerbled i.f euch parte
are ln the roaeession or under Lhe con|rol of a
peran.

e deflned ln TiLle 26, tJ.S.C., secLion 5S45(a) (3) of

Lhe t{FA, the term "firearm" includeg a rifle having a
barrel or barele of leEe ehan 16 inchee in length.
IL ie unlavful. to roeseao an t-lF firearm, whlch le not
regiebered in accordance wiEh Ehe provirrions of Lhe
}fFA.

rNrnroR
co
gURNlIE

tt

fivtdr

VIEJYER

EWE

OATg

'U axffi

73

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RIP

DEPFTIiEIIT OF THE TBESURY

Bt REIU

OF

AtCOHOkSrdCO rtO nnetRrs

PPROVAL AND CLEARAiCE

state in your lett.er tht you currently posaess a

regietered H( auto sear, wbich you would llke o
ineLal.l inEo your SWS-PDF, eemiautorallc carbine.
You would aleo like co modify the above-menEloned HK
carbine by removing the fake euppresaor, and nob
reglaeer l as a short-barreled rifle.
We auggeet
thau you notify ,he TF l{FA Branch, in lebterform,
that you inEend t 'marry" or lnetall the regiatered
HK aubo aear Jnto your HK, node1 SW5-FDW,
semiautomric carblne. Tou will alao need !o provide
them r+it.h the correct eerlal number of the t{K carbine.
callber designaEion, the appropriate barrel and
overall fteaauremenLs. You ghould recelve a writEen
reply wit,hin 30 daye indicatlng lhae Ehe Nabional
Firearms Regietrallon and Tranefer Record hae been
amended to reflect Ehe marriag nd conialns ri
accurate deacrlption of the eubJeet. frearm.

You

nce the HK auto aear is ineballed, you may aleo

renve lhe fake suppressor. Since the aegembLed
firearm woul.d be a rmachinegun" aa t,hab germ is
deflned in eeculon 5845 (b) of he NFA, the removal of
the fake uppreesor would not affect its
claseificaiion. Pleaee be awre, hor,rever, Lhac a
rifle having a barrel lengEh of lega han 16 incheE
would be a "firearmo (ahort-barrel rifle) ag tha cer'r
le deflned ln sect,Lon 5845(a) t3) of the F.

Therefore, ne would cauEion you hat {f, after the

removal. of the fake auppreior, you laE,er eLecE to
rernove the HI( aut.o sear from the aesembled weapon. the
HK l,lodel SWS-PDW carbine would no longer be a
machinegun. However, i would ttll be claegifled ae
an l,IF firearm (ehorb-barrel riflel ae defined ln
section 5s5(a) {3}, due co a barrel of lees bhan 16
inchee in lengbh. You couJd noL lawfully poeaess the
ehorl-barreled rifle, aince lt would not be regiecered
ae such ln accordanee r.llh the provlslons of the NFA.
You could continue to posaeaa lhe HK I'fodel Slls-pt{,
eemiauonntlc carblne, if the fake euppresor were
permanenly at,tached t,o the barreL,

oooE
SURNAU
DAT

'u

74

gr,d rrrrt & a * r{ lt!

RIP

}{D

BUREAU OF

For your convenlence, the addreEg of

ae followe
Buteau of, elcohol, ?obacco, Firearrns and :qlloeLvee
Chief, Nalional Pirearme cE Brancb
650 trlsachueee Avenue. III{, Room 5303
t{ashingbon, D.C. 2A226

(2t2r

927-8330

trrst ehat the foregoing hae been reaponaive to

your lngulry. If we rnay be of further aasLaarise,
He

pleaee eonacE us.

Sincerely yours

gH

ett
Braneh

75

RIP

OEPARTMENT OF TH TFEASURY
BUNEU OF ALCOHOL. fBACC N FIfiARM9
WASHTNGT(}N, C 0126

E: CE:
I'rAR

I 1997

33r.1

rtrprc

ar

Thls refer tE your leter of bruary }", 199?, ln

rhich you aslc about nodlfylng a rglatsred tlZI carblne
conversian bolt tc functlon in an U?I l{int Carbine.
e deflned Ln eeqtlon 5845{b} of the Hatlcnal Firearne
ct (!81 , he tern aacinegua insludea any part
deslgned an l.*tended eolely and excluelvely or
ctintcn tf parte designed and lntended, for uee ln
csanerting $apon lnto a nachlneErun.... Certaln
elts nhich are deslgned to allor a {fI eeaiaatonatic
carbine to fire frou the open boLt poaltlon are
nachneguns s deflnsd. It ls tnlaful for anycne to
nake ar Fossess a nactLnsgun rhi.ch ls not reglstered in
acccrdance sith the provieione of the NF. It Ls
unlatful for lndlviduale to tranefer or posaegg a
nachlnegun rhlch vag not lawfully posseeeed prlor to
!ay 19, 1936. {18 U.S,C. f 922{o}} tt ie ulsrful to
tranEfer e serial nunber fron one regleterad uachlnegirrn
to anot!er nachlnegun. It ls also ulauful for tly{rne
to oblitert, rsove, change, ar ter tha eerl.a}
nunber and other reguired identlflcation cf a
uachlnegrun. (e6 U,s,c. S 5861(gt )
I{e have previously detamled that lt s pcssl}e to
alter a standard llZI carblne converslcn bolt to
f,nctlan in an UZI iltnl Carbine ithout deatroylng tlre
ariginal reglstared bolt and ylthout creatlng 1
bolt rhieh is not registere. the approved
rnodifictLons conslat of rernovl.n a EecL*n
ppror{nt*ly 1 1/2 lncbs ln lengh fre he certer sf
the eJectlon port area of the bolt. {J.eaving eta1 at
the attnu of the rear sectLon for the tno eear
rxtr*siene|, portl.on of the front plece of the bolt
can than be reattached Lo the rsar sectlon ae ghorn Ln
the encLose draning, Tha tro extension nay hen be

76

RIP

-2ra[GlxlllGtEruxxrlills

rllt functlon in the lnl carbine

racelver rl"tlout altratlane to the realvar' f,6
uodlf,lcatlons aust not affect the exleting narklngs on
th* orlglnal bolt, fhe nodl.ffed bolt uet be used ln a
l{lnl U carbl^nE rithout ltsratlonE to the recelvetr.
It lg cur ol!.nLo that the olflcatlong perfored aa
daacrLbed nould ot chnge the stattrs of the bolt under
tlre prcvislons at. 26 U.s.C. CFtr 33 or xg U.S'c. f
922{o}, other nodlf,lcalong to aay other flrearns or
reahaped Eo th they

ccnpnents :try

affeet thelr etatua,

, ysl

notlly the NF

dienalong so
Trnsfer

refl'ect the

Te

trust ht tbe
If you have

tnErtry.

ug

otgtt,
?echaolggrl

Chlef,

77

RIP

ffi

EPARTMEN OF THE TRESURY

3URAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO.I'{ FIREAFMS

wAgHtx61(l$, g.c. e06

cPr:rsffU
3312.5

NOV

- 3 gg

thi.s refers to yeur letter of October 1. 199:1, 1n rhich

you lnqulre about the legallty of utilizlng a section
of a properly registere Sten HKII type receiver tube
in conJunctlor sl.th Strling sshrachLnegun parts sat
for the purposes of assenbling a Strling type 9nn
suuachinagun.

Title 2 U..C. S 5845(b!,

the llational Firearns et
{Hs'A}, defines the teru rnrachLnegur to include any
eapon rrhlch shoots. is desiqned to ehoet, or can be
readlly restore to shoot, autcnatiEally *ore than one
shot, $lthEut uanual reloading, y single f,unction of
the trJ,gger. ?he ter hall lso iclue the f,rars or
receiver of any each uaapon, any p*rt designd nd
lntanded solely and excluaLvely, or conblnation of
parts desLgned and lntended. for rse L convertLng a
uepon nto a nachinegun, and any conbinion of parts
fron nhict a urachnegun san be assenbled 1.f, srch larts
are n the passession or under tle contrcl of a petrEon.
'hat the

el ehe
utllized in

fiIgD

the asgenbly process. typical Sten Gun receiver tub

ilea=ures approxlurately 12 1/2 lnches long. It rras also
note by conraratlve exanlnatiEn of a sanple of eacb
treFon trlcen fron our f,lrerms reference collection
that t!e locatlan and shapa of the ottoa ln tlre
respective receivers vary. llhe transforuation of the
regist:re Sten Gun receivr t{suld be sbstantal arrd
the ragistered Sten crn receLver as errigl,nally
nafactured rould no Longer exiE,

RIP

-2-

fftle 18 [t,S.C. S 922(o] of the Gun Control ct of 198

(ccl prohlbits lndividuals fro tranEf,erlng or
posseseing rachineguns [nufactured after the date of,
thE enactnent of this sttut (ay 19, 1986) unless
such uachtnegun s to be transferred to or by, or
possessl,on by or snder ttre authorJ.ty of the United
stats or ny departnent or agencf, cr polltical

subdlvislon thereof.
$herefore. tbe utilaation of, a portion cf, a registered
Sten Gun receiyer tube.ln conJunctlon sith a Ster.ing
eubrrachfegen parts sst f,or the purposes af assenbling
a Sterllng t!e glnn unachlnegun would resuLt n the
nalcing of a ne rcceiver shlch trould be rubJect to the
provslons of 1t g.S.C, 5 922(o).
l{e trust the foregoing has beeR respansive to yoar
lnqury. If r*e nay e of any f,urther assistance,
please eontct us.
Sincerely yoltr,
,
Chlef

Flrearns llechnology

?9

RIP

MAY 2

IggT

E:CEIFT
33 11

Thls ls rselense to your lettet of pril ter 199?, to

th gurau elcohol, robacco aad Firearns {Tr} In
your lettr, you ask about constructilg Serettat'
"
STEN
uoe. Plt 12s subrnachinegun fron a reglstered
eubnacl.negun retver tube.

?Ltle 18 Unlted States code {t}.s.c.} $ 9zz{o} nakes Lt

unla$fu1 for any prson to posseesr transfer or
$arufacturr a rnachinegun shich nas not regLstered ln
accordance slth the provlslons of te tsF prlor to Uay
19, 1986. thLs subEestLe does nst pFIy *lth respect
to a transf,er to or by, or possesslon by et under tle
authcrity of, the $nj.ted States or ny departrnent or
age:y thereaf or a State, or a departuent, agensyr or

polillcal subivislon tlreresf .

of the lrational
s define ln 26 U.s.c. S 5s43(b|'
Fireas Ast f$F}, the tera rtcashLnegcnrt Eans any
teapn rlhlch shoots, is deslgned te abor or can be
readly restored to shoot autonatJ.cally nore than snE

ahot, nthort nanual reloadtng. V slngle funetLon of

the rLgger. ?he tern ehal1 a1o LnclrdE the fraoa or
recelvei of any suclr *leaponr any rart desLgned and
Lrtended solely and exclusivelyr cr coblnation of
parts deslgned-and Lntended, for use Ln sonvertlng a
neapon inc a uachlnegun, and any conbinatlon of parts
fron nhLeh a machlnagun cn be assembled if auch parts
are Ln the roseeacon or under the control. of a fleron.
In yor letter, you propose to sonstruct a Beretta,
ttedel Pll 12S subbachinegun usng a regl stse SIEN
subaEhlneffun reaeiver ube and var Lous ccrnponents fro'n
a Beretta, sel Pll 128. Based cn the inf,<ration
*hlch you rovLed and our :ieseareh, tt ls our opinlon
'!rctswEF-- - Tf=YtErrlt -'

coE

'BIVIEWEF-

tun.

}AM
OATE

Atf ntA t.frl

t
APOV*L TIO CLRT{TE

REPLACES'OS EDITO {THICH

^nig$t of llts r8tErJf

rJR^l' OF tCOlrOL

'r.t. Ooyamrl

80

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ittro|lr t. tGargr3o

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ElttsxgEt!rcf,EIIE]

the nagazf.ne openlng, eJecticn port, bolt slotr barel

ucunt and other features, the proposed assenbly does
nn appear feasible without prefotming extensive
alerations to the STEII receiver tube. To cornplete the
assenbly, as outllned Ln your letter, the alteratlons
to the reglstered SlE! receiver tube *ou1d be so
ertenstve that the STE reseLver tuber as origlnally
uanufastured, uould no longer exist,.
F hag previously detennlned that the use of a
reglstered srEB receiver tube to construct a totall.y
differe tpe of nachLnegrun, does not nean that the
stEt{ reeever $os1d stlll exlet andlor rcoul.d sill be
registered. Tteref,ore, trse of a STEI{ receiver tubE to
conetruct a Beretta, l*lodel Pf-f 12S subnachlnegun vould
resul ln the :aaklng of, a ner receiver hlch ould be
subJeet to all the controls and provlsicns of ttre llF
and the restrLctlons provided in 18 u.s.c. S 922{o}.
trust. that the fcregoi.ng has been responsive to your
re nay be of any f,urt!er assl,stance,
please cntact us.
?fe

inguiry, If

Elncerely yours,

thLef,

otE

t{lTtATga

fvwER

Sduard l.l. Oren, Jr,

Fl,rearns Technologg Branch

EVttrtan

L,VtWE

avtfvrEn

it cv tYf r.l

su.
I.AM

TAT
ATF

rt3iA t ,ft

RFI-ACS5 1098

ErlrotwHlcH

COB3sPot\tEHCE *POYAL AIIO LfiNCE

t3

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0unEru oF

Dt?AtfrHl{? cr
itcofroL 19cto

'tJ.s 6rr.rn'.{pnle Olll..

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EPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

gUREAU F ALCOHOL, TOBACCO ANO FIREAIIMS

wAsHlHol't Dc 20226

!CErf :TE
3311

l4AR e

!W

fiilolIosrrsrxrrm
Dar

lhLs refers to your tetter tn $btcl ttou ask about

eonverting a relistered W
zi carbine
oonversion_bolt, serial W
a l{inl uz

eonfiguration.
We have prevlausly exanlned such corvrsLon snd
deternined that the odiflcatLons i not result in a
vl.olatl.on of the provielons of the $atisn1 flrarils
ct {NF}. lfhe previoasly eubultted.bolt was altered
for use in an Uai l{lnl Carlne by fi.L11ng in tha slot
on the righ side, re-ruovlng a sectlon rneaeurlng
approxinateiylEllEltrengrch in he area of the
ejection openng, and forning sear surfaces on the
front end. the bolt as nodlfied $as esigned for use
n canvertlng ar Uzl I'llnl Carblne lno a nachinegrun
ihout alteratlone to the recever aeserably. Further,
the nanufacturert orglnal ldentlfleation rnarkings
uere lntact.
s defined n 26 {l,S.C. S 5grt5(b}, the ern machS"negun
includes any par designed nd ntended soleLy and
exclugively, or coulnatlon of parts designe and
intended for use Ln convertng a $eapon lnto a
rnachinagun. In its original canfLguration and in its
nodifed ccnfiguraticn, the eubnitted sanple as a
arachinagun as deflned.
Title 1e $.S.c, S gez{o} (1} provdee Fhat t shall be
unlar'f,l for any peron to transfer $r pssess r
nachtnegun; however, the susectl.en shall aot appl.y
uth respect t any lauful transfer r lafs3.
pc*session of a rnaetrineEun tta uas larfully poseessed

prior to l{ay 19, 1986.

82

RIP

-zSl.nce the subnLtted eauple rae orlginally deslgned

and intended for use ln convrtlng an Uzi Carbine
inte a aachlnegrunr ns larful1y possessed prlor to
llay 19, 1986, was still designed an lntended for use
in convertlng an Uzi carbine into a uachfnegun, did not
regul-re alteratlons to tbe reselver, and slnce the
noiflcatlons whicb had been performed dld not destroy
the bolt or renove lt fro {F controls, .lt as our
opinlon that it ss not restricted under the provisiong
of 18 U.s.c. S 922(ol {1}.

llhLs dEter"natLon applles only ta IIal olts

manufactured and registered Ln an identl^cal n*nner to
the subtted sarnple. other altered rachineguns,
eanversicn kits, and recelver, rnust be classified on
case-by-case baEl.s. the copy of TF Fr 4 vhich you
provld*d l"s being returned 8s you reguested.

trust that the foregong has been responsive to ytrr

inquiry. ff you have further questiens, please contaet

He
lS

Slncerely yourE,

:.f

Chief, firearns

, Jr.

Teebnolagy

Enclosure

83

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Thie refers to your lette ln wblch you ask about

convertl.ng a Flenlng Flrearus Stoner 63 nasbinegunt
serial nu:nbar@fl to Stoner 63] conflguratlon.
Eased on the lnforatloa provlded you rould perfonn the

folloulng ruodlflcatlonE :
1
2
2

(
)

lou alao lndlcate tlrat you would perforo the

nodlficatlons yourself and the existln nanufacturer'
litentLflsatisn barklnga would not be Itsred.
trt $ould be unlarful for you tt aale a roachtnegrun
recelver or to posess a machLnegun reeel.ver rhlch 1g
not reglatered ln accordance glth tbe prcvielons of, the
NF. rt ie also unlauful to tnnEfer t.he ssrlal nunber
of, a nachlneun receLver to another recelver or to
trenovs, obliterate. or alter any requlred
aanfacturert a Ldentlf icatlon narklnge.

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NEVIEWER

nEvlEtut

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Iour lettr t th PrEldant 4aod tarch 10, 1982,

rogarlng KTd armor p!.ercJ.ng $rualtr.on Ha rolorred to
the B+rrssu of lcohol, Tobcco nd Flraarms for reply.
Tbo Sffi otal pLerclng m''rrlt,lon, currcstly qanufactutal
contLtrs braso type proJslle crerc rItb a tbln
layor of TefLon. fte nnoultlon wao orlglnally devoloped
ln the lte 1960rs to penotrete uetal. It 1tro bas ths
capabtltty of, panetratiag coraLp soft aror utlllzed
Ln bullet rosLetan garaento,

}\,<

bo

tt

3cl

olt
;to

rJ

t{

st

Tb currsr Fsderal Btfitutes ragulatlag firearms andl

annrnltlon ds not prohlblt th maauftnre or eale of
t(ft{ setal pl.erctng uaunltloa. Such amaunitlon la aubjoct
o tbe et rgulatlone thLch pply o oDv{ntl"onl
opcrtlng nnunltisn. Du to tha conctB orrer the potntll
hcard thla anqunltlon could psso to law enf,ore@ent,,
saversl leglalat,l"o Bropoelg tlhlch roould ban or resLrlct
he avallabtllty of KTW ype amunltiori have besn lntrodueEt
ln tbo Conrea and are urritly undor congkjlaratl.o.

ife hape that tbo foregotng la serponslve to your ,lnqulry.

If tbore ls ayhlag further o c.a do ts be sf aasltcnc'
plaaoe le te knoi.r.
Slncorely yourst

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3311.4

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Th j.s ref ers to your letter af l{cvernber 13, L992 , in
rhich yotr challenge the language of the tern rtarmor
piercng arnmuntion as defined in 18 I.}.S.C., Chapter
44 $ e21(a) {1r} t3}.
fn paricular, you feel that the !'crd ttentirelyH where
it exists withln the definition shculd be suprlanted by
the word ffsold. Your suggestion is influenced by the
design af the lern cyroJet a:nnunltlon and ycur desire
to renve st.rgh ammunition frcn the purviev of the arnr
piercing cLessificatian. Although the yroJet
ammunition casing doubles as the prajectile and is
hollou to accomrnodate the propellant, it is eonstructed
entirely fram steeL. Therefcre, the Gyrojet anrmunition
meets the defnition of $rnor plerciag ammunitions as
defined n the above elted statute. The statutory
definltion as dictated by Congress and can onty be
amended by further legislaticn.
l{e trust the foregoing has been responsive ta your
inquiry. If we can be of any further assistance, please
Dear

contaet ts.

Sincerely yurs,

l5J
Edrard lrt. Olren, Jr,
Chlef, Firearns Technology Branch

CODE

SUR.
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JL I6HE

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?hls rafer to lour recent letter itb vhlch you

subnitt,ed aamplee of proJectiles designed for use in
he gn llakarov plstol cartrdge. The prcJectiles lrre
subnltted for classlf icaion.
Exentl.nat
that
they re
[E
Fral ecliles have a
1S $,S-c. chpter 44 S 921(a) (1?) (B) deffnes the tern
rrnor piercing ammunition s:
tt?he term rmor pLercing anmunitLon means

proJectile or proJectlle eore shich nay be

used In e handgun and hieh is constructed
entirely {excluding the preserce cf traces of
other eubstances) from rrr:e or conbi"nation
of tungeten alloys, stee, 1ron, bras,
bronze, berylllun copper. or derleted
uraniur. Sucb term does not inctude shotgun
sht reguire by Federal or State
nvironmental or ga:ne rgillatiang for huntlng
purpoes, a frangible proJectile designed for
targ*t shooting. a proJectile uhich the
Secretary fnds is primaril"y intended to be
Eped for sporting purtrloses, r ny otlrer
proJectlle or projectiLe cre 9hish the
Secretary fJ.nas is lntenda to be use for
industri1 purposes, includin * cl:arge used
1r: a: ai1 an gas wel3 perforalng dsvice,
Therefore, the subnitted projectiles having.?.IEDlgf
@ ... lassified as ar;or piercrng am$unltron.
EOD

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Sectlon 922tal {?) of the cited chapter uakes it
unlarful for any person to nanufacture or import arnor
pereing anmunltlon excep for use by governrnental
entities, for the purpos cf expartation or fr testlng
or exparLmentatlon authorieed by the Secretary.
Sectlor 922{a} (8} xrakes it unlauful for any
uanufacurr or imporer to sell or deliver rmor
piercing aauunition exsept f,or the autherized uss aE
llse abcve.
to lerfuLly rranufaEture armr piercing aoaunlttoTr yu
nust be llcensed s a manufacturer cf destructtva
devices, aamunltion far destruclve devicer r arhor
piercing anmunition. lhe f,ee for this lLcense ls
$ro0o per ya:r.
fhe subltted s0p1a are being retaind 1n this offlcE.
If, you ecoae lJ.cense as a nanufacturT af, arnor
plercing anraunltion, the prolectlles eould e retrned
upon the issuance of the license.
Wa trust that the foregoing has been responsLve to your
lnquiry. If wE nay be of any f,urther assLstnce,
p.ease contact us,
Sncerely yrlurs

1s
Edward U. Oen,

r,

Chief, Firearns Technology Brnch

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PAGE(S) WrrHrrELD rN FULL (Wm)

OR REFERRED TO AIIOTHER AGENCY

fiwm
REFERRED TO:
Page

Number

92-94

Exemption (b)(1)
Exemption (bX2)
Exemption (bX3)

Applicable Statute

(b)(a)

I
Exemption (b)(s)
Exemption

Applicable Privilege:

Deliberative Process Privilege

Attorney Client Privilege

Attorney Work Product
Exemption

(b)(6)

Exemption (bX7X
Exemption (b)(7)@)
Exemption (b)(7)(C)
Exemption (b)(7)(D)
Exemption (b)(7)(E)
Exemption (b)(7)(F)

Duplicate

Non-Responsive

Of Pages

l_l

Outside of Scope of Request

String E-Mail
f noqttal in Tlrorrvranf

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a
}EPRTMENT OF THE TREsURY
BUEAU (}F ALOHOLI TOBCCO N FfREARMg
WASH|NGTON. DC 20223

E: CE: ff

APR 2

lsg?

3311

:G[

l!r. Davld . Boyd

Director
off,ice of sclence and lechnology
Nat,l,nl Institute cf ilustice
633 Indiana venr hllil.
l{ashinton, DC 20531

l{r. Boy:
fhs ls ln reply to your regu*st that a round of 9nm
Paraellun caliber anunition be classifled under the
provisLons af exfsting Federal lar, sanple of the
Dear

tecbnical docuentation ras del.ivered by

n pril 3 199?.
ffi[
Exarinatlcn sf the subaitted sarnple lnicateg that ls a
gnrn Parabelluc callber cartrfdge loade *lth an annular
nose Eolid base tSBl projactll*. Ttre praJectile has
a hollot* cavLty steel re u*ounded by a copper
(guilding eetl) jacket. The canlc*L or nose portion
of the stesl sore is exposed.
ecton 921{a} {1?} lB} {i} defines th* tera armor
pLerci*g annunltl.on s a proJectlle or proJectlle core
r+hch nay be used in a handgun and uhieh 1s construeted
entirely {excludlng the presenc of traces of otber
substances| fron sne or a csnbatiar of tunsten
alloys. eleal, lran, brass, bronze, beryllluu copper,
or depleed rranl,un. The cited definil.on does not
include shcgun shot regulred by Federal or state
environnentat cr gane rgulatlcns for hunting purposest
a frangble proJectlle designed f,or target shsotng, a
proJectlle rhtch the Sacretary finds is prirnarily
intended t e used for sporting purposes, or any other
proJectlle or proJectlle core r*hich the Seeretary flnds
Lg lnte*ded to be used f,or inustrlal flurposes'
lncluding a charge used ln an ail and as uel.l
perforatinE davice.
-qssuuifis- ee!

95

RIP

o
-2-

l{r. David G. Boyd

the eited deftnition and our examinatl.on, the
Parabellun caliber cartridge rith steel core l{SB
projectile is armor pierclng anuunition as defined.
dditionally, the steel core AfSB projeetiLe ln and of
itself ls also armor piercing armunitLon. It sas noted
in the technical material subnitted that a 7.62nn NTo
(,30S llinchester) caLiber cartridge incorporating the
steel core NsB projectile tras been anufactured. This
cartridge and proJectile are aLso armor pierclng
arunltion as defLned.
For your information, enclosed is a panphlet concerning
armor piercing annunit,ion. This panphlet includes the
cted deflnitions, unlawful acts and licensing
requirements for the larfu1 uanufacture of armor
Based on
9m

piercng arnmunttion.
We trust that t!e foregol.ng has been responsive to your
inguiry. If we can be of any further assistance,
please contact us.
Sincerely yours,

Frr",r'g'{fr
8drard l{. Owen, Jr.

Chief, Firearms Technology Bra

Enclosur

96

RIF

E: CB: FITE

3310.

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ffi

575 evans Induetr al Lane

Pau PaH, West Vlrginla 25434

fiffiD

Dear

llhl.s refers to v our letter of

December

1,

1994

lNrril
(2). Is lt permLtted undr regulatlon to sell the .30
callba rnor plercing proJectiles (P, PI, PIt)?
tllth referenc to the flrst questlon, fitle 26 United
States Code (U.S.C.), Chapter 53, SectLon 5845 {f}, ln
part, deflnes a destructive devlce as fallowr'
ttThe tern
devicg' uean
o ,.. (x) 'destructive
any explosive, lncendlary, or polaon gag
(A) bonb,
(8) grenade,
(C) rocket havlng a propellant charge of oore than
four ouncea,
(D) mtseile havlng an explosl.ve or incendlary
charge of rore than one-guarter ounce,
(E) nlneror
(F) aluilar devlce;...ft.

DATE

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IXGD

With reference to the second guestion, Tltle 18 U,s;C.

Chapter {4, Seetion 921 (a} (17} (B), ln part, defines
arnor pierclng aarnunition as 'r.r. proJectLle or
proJectL core which nay be used
n a handgun and
rvhich is constructed entlrely (excluding the presenee
of traces af other substances) fron one or a
conblnation of tungsten alloys, steel1 ircn, brass,
bronae, berylllun copper, or dapleted uranlun.rr
WE have previously determlned that ?.62nn !I,f AF
annuniton can be used Ln handgun and is arrnor
piercing nnuntlon as deflned. ny ?'62tt& or '3
caliber praJeetile that neets the abcve definiton
?oul{ e classl"fied as arnor piercing an:nunl-ion.
Further, a :nanufacturer of arnor piercing anmunition is
reguired to held a'Federal FJ-rearrs License as a
manufaeurer cf destructive devises, arn:nunitlcn for
destructive devices. or rnor pierclng awsunltlon.

ritle 18 U,S.C., Chpter 4d, Sestln 922 {} t8}

states rrlt sball e unlavful... for any rnalrufacturer or
lcporter to sel ar dellver rilor plerci*g annunition,
except hat thls paragraph shal"1 not apply to-(Al the s*le sr dell.very by a nanufacturer cr
lnporter of such amnunitlon for the usE tf th Unlted
State r any department or agency thereof cr any state
or ariy department, ageney, or politlcal subdivislan
thereof;
(B the sale ar dlivery by a nanufasturer or
imparter of such amnunitLon for the purlcse rf,
exportaticn;
{c} ths sa.e or deliT/ery by a mansfaelurer or
importer of such a*nunitlon for the purposes of t*sting
or experiarentln authorlzed by the Secretary'rt
ln addl.tion, depening on the materials rsed as
axploslve or incendiary fillers in the lsted
projectlles, tlreee :raterials nay be eubject to
regulatlon regardLng their storage andlor
transpcrttion. Questions regardlng such regulaton
may ha addressed to
Sureau of lcoho1" Tobacco, ard Firearas
65 lfassachusetts venu

Explosives Eechnology eranch

titTtTcrR

FtatEttt!s

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FIEVEYI

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truEt that the f,oregolng haE been responsive to

inguiry. ff ue can be of any further aseistance,

f{e

your

please contaet us.

Sincerely yours,

Edward

t.

Oun,

Jr,

Chl"ef. Firear:ns Technology Franch

cooE

IT{ITIATTR

IFV'EWEF

nvlFwER

FVIEWER

REV'EWER

*EVFWEE

rAl
AlF Ft&l.t^ tr-f
fiFPLACES l0S tOlllOnHlCH

CCBhESPOnOEHC*,rAOVLeLAA.IC op^nirrff Ns?Esir

stntrltrLc,sHc{.sro mAIo:mtr
ASgtL

99

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ti'
DEPRTMENT CIF THE TREA5URY
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL. TOBACCO I.I FIREATM5
rir/AsHl HGTON. 0.C, ZO26

f,n: f
MAR

firg
?919 Caero$ Stret
Post fflce 3< 5?8

I lg3ri

:tn:lS[

3311.4

, Irc.

Central Lake, l{lchlgan {9622

Der

ffi

Yaur lettar of llarch 3, 199i1 , t our farulngton llllls,

l{lcblgan afflce concernl.ng ruor plerclng anuunltlon
has been referued to this offl-ce for reply.
11]e 1S t.S,C., tbapter ,t{, Sectlon 921{a} {1?} (B}
deflnes the tar c:rnor plerclng elunltle aat
IThe term arDor plerclng aunltlon Deans a
proJeclle or prjeatlle sore nhLch uay ba ussd n
hndgun ard nhlclr la onst*cted entlrely
{excludiag t}re preaanca f trcee of other
gubst*nces!
f,ron one or a conblnatlc of tungeten
alloys, steel, lron, brass, rcnze, berylllun
copper, or deplatd uraL$. Such ter does not
lrtcl"udt shogtrn shot requlred by Federal or State
environDantal or ge rgilaticns for huntlng
purpses, a franglble proJectlle deslgned for
target shootl.ng, a proJectll.e rhlcb the $ecretary
flnde !a prlnarlly lnened to be ueed for sporti-ng
p$rp.!ses, or aay other prcJactl or proJectlle
core hLch the Seeretary fluds lE Lntene to be
rsc for lndustrlal purposes, including a ctrarge
used n aa oll- and gas rell parforatng device.rl
?.62x5rntu nd gDD anunltLon havLng cor oaterla} as
eecrlbad above ia clearly arnor pierclnq anaunitJ.oa
and ls eubJect to tbe provLslors of the *bovg
deflniton. It has been unlarful. slnca the statute aE
eracted * the tid 1980'e to irport cr eell tbe above
anuaLtLor or any aher anmunJ.tlor: neetlng te cited
r
definitlor,

1S0

RIP

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to your
t* tnst that t!s foragolng hag been fegponIv
l"g"i"y. :c E uay be-of ny further aEslgtttn,
rleaee coact us.

sLncereLy Yort,

!1.

Chlef' Flrearns

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a

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fhls refers to

yur recent letler in vhi.ch you aske alrout

!:he 7.62nn hP and 7.62'z SLI\P ar:r;snlLlon being subJec to

the provlslons of Public Lav 99-1108 vhich regulatcs bhe

lanufacture, inrrtationr and aele of arrcr piercing
arununlt lon.
Tbe clted la, deflne .rnor plerclng amun{tion to inelude
proJectlles and projectlle corer whieh ny be used ln a
handgun nd thlch are contrucLed fron certain raterials
lisked ln the Law. Tho 7-62nr lO .P and SLP cart.ridges
use projecbil.e core6 rlrlch are lleted tn the la.
Handgune hamtrered for the 7.62mrr HITO t,308 {inchester}
atrldge &re corrnerclelly produced. Banilguns chas.bered
for tbis eartrldge mrnufacturd by rhoapson Centerr
F{ichltarand eaveral custon onufacturere of boll actlon
plotole, fherefore, ue hve no cholce buL to Include lhe
abova anunltlon as &rnor pierclng as that. ternr i def lned
in Putllc IIAI'J 99-408.

that the foregoirrg hae been responsive to your

tnqulry. If we aan bo of any ftrther asslgtancer plese

Ue trust.

conact uB,

WLnp
Disk *l

ccz

t
t::

:.
t.

1-16-87

SC RFn Firearne

Dlv.

F&E

Olerationsr Corpllance

..

t,
t

rely

fldvard t, Oren .]r.

Chlefr Flrearns Technology Branch

i nce

GOt

ffi
tol*

f9t\,?r

t3

la.tt WH'Cll

svewtq

*a<;x9*

R Vi

eJeE

^Py^L

106

.t'tgwq

RtvE*{r

ar cL-r.{r.1r;cg

..aat.ae.4t

zuP

)
4

TEPA!TIIEHT OF T}I

TREsURY

UREAU OF LCOHAL TOB/ICCO At* Flf,lrMS

tT I eB03

e3000

rL6L

3311/2003 -210

HISJ
P.O. Box 962t7
Las Vegas, !{evada

89193 -82A7

GnreIl

Dear

This refers to your letler of nuary 1, 203, lo he

Breau of Alcoho1, Tobacco, Frearms and Explosives {ATF in
wlrich you ask aboul manufacture of tf,S. M995 armor piercir:g
anmunilion,

s defined ia secion 921(al {1?} {} of Tille 18. ttnj.ted

state Code, he term anmuitlon means ammunition o:
cartridge caes, primers, bulLets, or prFe"l,ne polrder
designed for .:se in any firearrn,

in seceion 921{a} t1?} {3} of ?ille 18,

United geEe Code, the lerm nvat piercing amrunjlian
s deflned
means

--

a proJectIe or projectle core uhich may be use

in handgun and whlch is ccsstrucled enLirely
(excluding the presence of trace of other
eubstancesl from one or a corib:r+tion of tungsten
a1lcys, st.eeI, ironr brags, bronze, beryllien
copper, cr depleted uranumi or
{i} a fa}l Jacketed proJecLle larger Ehan ,22 calier
designed an intended for use in a handgua and
vhose JackeL he a weighE of more thn 25 percent
of the btal r+eight of Ehe projecelle.
?e underseand Lbt th t'.s- 5.56mr* t-1995 carLridge baE a
bul.et wigh a lungsten sore. Slnce this Lhe !{955 cartridge
can alsc e used in a handgun, t mets the above definitj.on
of armor piercng anmunltion. The projeet,il.e alone and the
tungeten core aLone also meeL Lhe defintlon of armor
piercing asnmuni.tion, Tbe cartridge case, pri.mers, and
propellant powdar alone are affnuniton buE aot armor
piereng aranunltion. ?he bulleE jackeE and projecLile core
JackeE alore ar nob ammuRilion as defir:ed.
{i}

lrww.aTf -Tn^s"o?

107

RIP

I
,,

-2-

@re
You asked about manufacture and transfer of L!e arnnunition
components by subconrastora. person who is engaged in
t.he business of manufacturing carLridge cases, prlmers, r
propellant po*der $us hav a Federal Firearms License as a
manuf*cEurer of ammunielan for firears, ogher han
amr*uniion for desgructive deviceE, t:t armor piereing
amr*unition {FFL type 05}. Anyone who is engaged in the
business of manufacturlng 5.56nm M995 amrnuni[.ion, including
the projectiles or projectile cores, must have a Federal

Firearms f.icense e nanufacturer

ammunition for desrctive devices
arnr:runition {FFl, type 10} .

of destructive devices,
or armor piercing

Manufacture uould include processes such as manufacLure of,

tbe cores, assenly of Lhe prajectlles, and final loading.
lrte are uncertaia abouL mnufacture of the unfinished cors
ard densification and r.e reed delailed informaion abauL
Lhese processs in order for us to make a deerniRat.ion. ltt>
Federal irearms ticense is required to rnake he bullet
jacke or projectile core jacket a1one.
Code of Federal RegulatioRs, Part 4?8, Section S
4?8.3? provides, in parl, lha no persa shall manufaetur or
nport, and no manufacturr or import.er shall se1l ar
de1ver, armor piercing ammuniion, except:

?iL: 2?,

{a}

The manufacure or importat.ion, or the sale or

delivery by any manufacturer r mpcrter, of armor
piercing amrounition for the use of he tJniLed
States or ny department or agency thereof or any
seaEe or ny deparrnenL. agensy' Gr politca1

subdivision thereaf;
{b} The manufaclure, or Lhe sale or delivery by a
manufasrurer r importer, of armar pereing
ammunLicn for the purpose of exportaticn or
{c} The safe or delivery by a manufacturer cr Lmporter
of armor piercing ammuniLion for lbe purposes of
testing or experimenlat,ion as auhorized by t.he
Directsr under the provisions of S 4?8.149.

In addition, 2? CFR, S 4?8,123tb) provides thal a separte

recrd of armor piercing a*nu:tieon disposllons eG
govenmental entities, for exportat.ion, ar fcit Leeling cr
xperimenlation auhrized under he provsions af 5 4?8.349
sh1l be aaintained by the licensed manufacturer ot tbe
llcensed prernises... For rmtr pierclng ammuniticn, ihe
record shall shor.r lhe canufacturer, calber or gige'

108

RTP

-3*

tlxf
quanliLy of projeci1es, and the name and address of the
transferee La whom Ele armt piercing arnmuniion ras
t.ransferred, and the date of the transaction. The
inforrnatlon reguired by Ehs paragraph shall be entered ln
the prpr record book not later lban the seventlr day
follouing th dte of ehe Lranact,ior, and such informalion
shall be resorded under the format preecribed by S 4?8.122,
except thE ehe name of Lhe manufcEurer of a firearm or
rmor piercing ammunition need no be recorded if t.he firearm
or rfter piercing ammuniLion is of the maaufcturerrs o"rri
manufacLure.

2? CFR S 4?8.92{b} {1} requires Lhat each licensed

manufacturer or licensed imporler <f arnor piercing
ammunition shaLl idencify such amr*uition by means of
painting, eaining or dying the exterior of lhe projeclile
r.it,h n pague black colori"ng. This coloring musl cornpletely
cover tbe point of the proJectile a*d aL least 5t perceat of
that portion of ehe projectile thich is visible r.hen the
projecr}.e is l.*aded into a cartrdge ce.

Further, eaeh !censed manufacl.urer or licensed impcrler

af, armcr piercing anmunition shal1 clearly and conepicuously
Labe3. each package in which r$r piercing arnnunit,lon 1s
case' ar other conainer,
contained, ,g,, each box, earL+n,n{tr!$ft
FISRCING" in block
The 1bel shall include the crds
lettrs at leasu 1/4 inct in h*igh. The S.eLlering ghaL]
be locate or: he exlerior surface of bhe package hj"ch
contains information conceiing the caliber or guge of bhe
amm:.nition. There sha3.l aleo be p3.aced an the same surface
block leetering t leas fl8 inch in
of the package in I'FOR
GOVERNT'IENTA:j StttTTTIES OR EXPOR?TIS
heighE the wcrds
NLY. " Tb* staternts reguired by this subparagraph shall be
on a eoetrastng background. AlLernate narkings may be
authorized by che irestor on r.ritten rguest as provided in
2? CFR S 4?8.22.
We thank you fr your nguiry and truct t.hat the foregoing
has been responsive,
Slncerely yotits,

Serling t{ixon

Chief, Firearms Teclrnology

109

Branch

RTP

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

UFEAU OF ALCOHOL. TOBCCO

,I} F}REARMS

wAsHl{GTON. .e. 20U6

E: cE:
NOV

2 S i994

f:fn@

3311.4

nilo
225

Trcsn,
Dear

Huachuca
3575

rlzona

ffi

fhlE is in response ttr your letter dated l{ovember 1?,

199{, to the Bureau of l.colrol, Trbacco ad Frearns
tF). In ycur Lettr yu inquire absut the
cLassificatlon oi 7 .62x39nn aanunitian.
s defined in Tit,le 18 tlnitsd states code {u.s.c.},
ghFter 14, s 9?1{a} {12} (} of the Gun control
ct of
1968 {Ccf}, the tern rra[munitlonrt $ans arnmunition cr
cartrldge cses, prl.mers, bullets, cr propelLent po*der
designed for use n any firearn.
s eflned ln 18 t'.S.C.. Chapter 4,1, S 921() (t?) {B} of
Gcr th tern trrnor perciag annunltLcntr neans: {i}
projectlle or proJectile core uhich nay be used in a
handgun and r*hich is constructed entrely {excludlng
the presece of traces of oher substanes) from one or
a conbinatlan of tungeten a11oys, steel, iron, brass,
brnze, beryltlum copper, ar depleted uraniunr. or {ii}
full Jacketed projectfLe larger than .2? cal.ber
desinad and intended for use in a handgun and whose
Jacket has a weight of more than 25 percent of the
tstal t*eight of the proJectile, Such tern does not
include shotgun shot reguired by Federal or State
envircnmental or garne rgui,atiens for huntng purposes,
a f,ransible proJetile dslqn-a roi iaiget ;o,i';s; ;'
proJectile vhictr te Secretary finds is prinarily
intended to be used for sporting purpoes. or any other
pro l ect,ile cr proJeclile core r+hch the Secretary fLnds
is I nterded to be used for industrial purposes.
including a charge used ln an ol1 and gas vell
perf,oratlng device,

It is unlavft} f,or anyone to rnanufacture, tnFort, se1l,

or del.lver ar$or piercing anrunltian except for the use
of tle tlnited Stats or ny deparnent or agency
theresf or any Stae or ny epartment, agancy or
political subdivisicn thereof, ,

110

RTP

-2-

that the subject of your

cartridge, is classlfied as
as that tern ls define in the second
pargraph of this letar.
Further, on Februarf 2, L994, fF reelassifled all
steel core 7.62x39nn ammunlion as ar*sr pierci*g
amrunliofl, due to the productlon of serre-al hanguns
vrhich rere desigr:ed to flre the subJect anunltLon.
Prior to the introductlon of these handguns in the
market place, ?.62x39mn caliber ammunitsn rlas not
considered arnor pJ.ercing, because it vas only used in
rlfles.
Subsequently, The liolent Crime Control and tau
Enforcernent ct f t994. r.rhlch was enacted September
13, 1994, expanded he deflnltlon of arnor piercing
amnunitl.on to include a fulI Jacket proJecti,te larger
than .2? caliber, designed and intended for use n-a
handgun, and rhose jacket has a rveight of nore than 25t
of he total *eight of the projecti.e. fF has
previously deterrnlned that 9mn calber amnunilon lrhlch
lE na*uf,actured in Sweclen and designated as tbe 1398,
netc tlre expanded defiitlon.
For ycur csnveni.ence, ne have enclosed the related
F has previously deternlned

lngury,
the
tranmunition'r

?.62x39mn

docunents.

trust that the foregoin has been responsive to your

lnguiry" If t*e $a1 be of ny further asfstance,

*te

please contact us.

Sincerely ycurs,

"&#& 'rt
t,,"Owen, Jr.

Chief, Firearns echnology

Enclosures

111

RIP

**

DEPARTHE}T OF THE TFEASURY

Bt EE|J

OF ALCOHOL TOS^CCO At{O FIRE^Bi|S

CORRESPONTENCE APPROVAL AND CLEARANCE

i,' tti'"'

JUL 2 7 tfr{

e03050'W
3311/0-666

bX6 D

IEIS]
This te in reeponee bo your letter dated June 22,
200, in which you aak abouL reS.oading .38 caLiber
ammunlEion rith arrltor pierclng proJecEllee,
commerclally pllled from 30-06, M-2 armor plercing
rounde. Tou have referenced bhe 'Federal Flrearme
Regulations Reference Guide" indicaing Ebt
10-06, 1-2 anor plercing ammunftion wE exempted rom
the deflniuion of armor piercinE arnfiunitlon, but ?.62
NTO arnpr plercing anununiclon ie not.
Dear

Ae deflned in Tille 18, Chapter 44, eecuion

921 {a} (1?} {B}. the errn armor piercing ammunlEion
meaoa-

CODE
SURNAM

oE

I t5 X

ti)

a projecElle or projectile core which nqr

be ueed in a handgiun and whlch le
cnaurucLed enbirely (excluding the
preeence of tracee of obher
Eubeanceslfrom one or a combinatlon of
lunggbe alloye, et.eel . iron, brags,
bronze, bery11iun capPer, or depleted
uranumr' or

(ii)

a fu1l jackefed projectlle larger han .?2

calil:er deaigned and intended for use 1n a
handgun and r+hose jacket has a welghL of
more bhan 25 percent of he E,o41 welght
the project,iLe.

,Vl?rR

hVislit

'tr!,

4'.

117

.#

t.f tl?:

lt -

.r.?tdzJl'

RIP

OEPRTIIIEHT OF THE TRESURY

EUREU OF LCOXOL TOBACCO At{D FTREARIS

CORRESPONDENCE APPFOVL AND CLEARANCE

-2-

Tltle 8, Chpter {4, section 922(a) {?} staEes, it

ehall be unlar*ful for any person o manufacbure or
lmporu rmor pierclng ammunition, except chaE this
paragraplr shall nct apply ro{) lbe manufacture or imporEalion of suchgtaLes
arnmuni.tion far Lhe use of the Unte
r ny department, or agency thereof or any
St"ale or any deparLment, gencyr r
po.tica1 subdvis1n t,herof

,'

Section 922 {a} {8} , stl,es that iL shall be unLawful

for any manufacurer or lmporEer ta selL or delver
r$or piereng amrnunLtion, except thl lhs paragraph
ehall not pply to*

{} tbe rn*nufactur or mportatiol af strch

arr*uniein for tl:e use of the United gLtes r
any deparl$eng or agency thereaf or any SlLe ar
any deparEmenE.' gerrcy' ot political subdivison
lbereof
?he 3t-o6, 1-2 armor piercing mmunin kas been
exempted from lhe aror pS.ercing definieion' tl*teYer,
.3 caliber armcr iercing projeceiles aa .3

caliber (?.62mm) arror piercing ammunitan is gtill

armor piercing anauaition as defined. If you were to
use Lhe 30-t6 ar$or piercing projeefiles to 1oad '38
caliber ammunition you would be manufacturing armor
piercing ammuniLion, Manufacture for personal use
would be a violation o the cled secuion.

Further, a person who ie removing the ar$or piercing

proJecfiles frcm 30-t6' M-2 amunition is
manufacturing armor piercing mmuniiion. Anyone $ho
is engaged rl lte business of manufacLuring rmor
piercing arnmunition muet be Licensed a ilnufacture
of armor pierciag ammunition.
NITIATOR

EVIIJVEB

FIEYIEWEE

HEVIEWE

EVtEWEX

REYIEI^IER

co
URl'AME
T}A1E
'U3.

113

Ctrl

*tttiq Ol.

:t00

tl.?to!7lt

RTP

DSPATMEIT OF TH TFEASURY
BUREU

Or ILCOHOL. TOBACeO AltD FIBEAFI

AND CLEARNC

CORRESPONBENCE

-3-

ffi
I hve incLuded a pamphler wirh informatio* cancerning
armor piercing ammuniion. lhe pamphlel contains the
enEire EontenE af the cted section. defl"nitions,
exemptons, violations, and penalbies.
rust that lhe foregoing has been responsive lo
your inqury. If re *ay be of any furher agsistance,
please conIct u.
?{e

Sincerely yours,

{}*yr=*"
Crlis Tl. . Bar[lecl
cting, Chief Firearms Technology

Branch

Enclasure

lNf I tAl(,ft

LtrTn

REVIEWER

FEVIETYEF

REVtErryg

RSVIEWEF

co0E
SUANAM
T}T

.y

'U. goyrfmld

114

r{!ltcr, G9- at!'llg?iftr

RIP

DEPARTMENT OF THE TEASURY

6UU OF ALCOHOL, T(}BACCO AND FIFSARMS
wAaHrN6TON. O.C. O2

ttfi 2

@
Eecond CbncE Body or
?919 CBren Street
Poet OfflcB 8ox 578

Cetral Iatca, lltchlgan

Der

I 1994

HiT:i''w

, nc.
49622

ffi

lor lster of l{reh 31 199r, to our Famlngtcn tlLl1e,

Hlchfgan offlce concernlng ruor plerclng a-'nuntt,lon
tag been raferrsd to tlLe offlce for reply.
flle 18 U.S.C., Cbapter 44, Seation 921(a) (1?) (B)
efl;es ths trn arnor plerclng nnqnltloa a

?.62x25ao *nd 9r rnlnuttlsn havlng a core naterial ae

descrlbed bov la clearLy arnor piarclng alqqunltLsn
an ls e*Jeet to the provlaione of, tbe bove
dsftnltlsa, It has been uIawf,ul s.lncg ths tett na
enactad irr tha id tgg0rg to lnpert or eell the above
annunltlon or any otherum'unltlon neetlng the clted

deflnltlon.

115

RIP

your

Slncerely ours,

Chlef

:I

116

RIF

JlA

DEFARTM TNT c}F T}I E TREAAURY

AUREAU OFALC('HOI TOBACCO AI{ FIREARMS
w^eHtilatT9t,oe 2(}.223

JUL 2

:M

eo3oso

@s[

3311/0-514

2299 Snake River venue

?os Office Box 856

tt7

RIP

--

tCl The terrn *arrnor pi.ercing anmunit,ion' doeg not

include ahotg:r.rn shoL required by Federal or Stace
environmental or Eame regiulatio'ns for hunrlng
purpoaes, a frangible proJectlle designed for
barget ehaoting, a projeeEile which the Secretary
finde i.s primarily iatended be be ueed for
sporting purposes, or ny other prcjectile or
prcjectile core rhich the SecreEary flnds io
*tended o be used for induetrial purposes,
including a charge ueed n an oi1 and gas well
perforaling device.
A bulle which me the defini.tion of armor piercing
ammunitior under paragraphe ti) or (i1) above, would
be excluded from the definiEion of arrnor piercing
ammunilion lf it !rere a *'franglble proJecllle deaigned
for targec shooting." However, Ehe term "frangible"
is not defined undr lhe 18 U.S,C. Chapter 44 ar Ehe
regulalione ln 2? Cf'R parl 1?8. . re nc! arare t,haf
f.he erm a epeclfical.ly defi:ed arrywhere in the U.S.
Code or Federal regulatL*ns.

It, ha been our experj.ence to date lhat Lhe exemption

for frangible ammunt,ion would pp1y only in narroht
cireumstances and we have nob found it, neceseary Lo
adopt a precise def,init.lon of the lerm ofrangible."
It ig aleo appareng tha current intereet fn new forms
of "lead free" mmunition wiLl increaee development,
and use of ammunit,ion made of oEher materiale to
include meLals enumerated in ehe anor piercing
amuunlt,on def inition.
Si*ce rnateriala euch as br<nze or iron partiels
nay be ueed lo fabricace both frangi.ble projecEiles
and projectilea deeigned for enhanced penet.ratian; e
ou1d be very int,rested in knowing abou[ ny new
indusrry grandards ohlch wil1 hetp idenrify
tfrangible' ammunit.ion as eppl.ied o Ehe language in
18 U.s.c. S ezl. (al t1?) (c) .

118

RIP

-1-

that he foregoing has beea reeponsive to

your inquiry. If ycu have further quealions or f
ean be of any ageist.ance in this malter, pleaee
i,e t,ruae
conEa,

us,

Slacerely youra,

FI )

cting

119

n
fl o

RIP

OEPRIIIENT OF THE TREASY

FUFiU F ALCOHOL. OBCCO AilO FtEgRs

co FRESPOHDE}CE

L AND GLERANCE

APfi - 4

2W

s0305offll
33 L1,/2 002

L-l D

-292

Dear

Thfs is in response lr your leter dated

Febr*ary 1, 2tt2, n thich you ask aboui
manufacturing ammu*ition tht, may be armor percig.
e defined in litle 18, Chapter 44. section
921{a} {1?} {B} , tlr Lesrn armor pieccing ammuntian
mens-

{i}

a prcJectile or projecrile core which may

be used ln a handgun and vhieh is
constructed entirely {excl.uding the
prsence af traces of oher substancEs
from one rr a combinabion of, ung*ten
alloys, stee1, irn, brsg, bronze,
berylliurn copper, or de:leled uraaium cr

ti)

a full jacketed project,1e 3.arger lhan .22

caliber designed and inEend:d fcr l:se in a
handgun and r+hose Jackec has a welgh of
mcre than 25 Fereent of he btal weight
of th projecrile.

iLe 18, Chapter 44, eection 522{al l?l s,es. it

shall be urla*f,u} for ny person o manufacEure cr
import armor piercng ammunilion, except that this
paragraph sbalL nce apply to-

tl the ma:rufacture or importation af such

ar*muniti.on for the use of the {f*iced Stts
r ay departmenE r agency thsref or any
Sate cr ny dapartment, gercy, or
CODE
SURNAil,I
TAT,

*EVIEWER

FEVIEIIE

EVttts*

REVIEWEB

'U B

12

Gaffi trrigotla i- 4lt.ttrtt

RIP

I}EP*RTIENT OE TH E TREASURY
BUREAU OF ILCOHOL, BACCO AT{D FIREARHE

CORRESPONDENCE APPROVAL AN CLRAHCE

922 {a} {8}, staes that it sha}l be unlawful

for any manufacturer or importer to sell or dellver
armor piercing ammunitlon, excepE thal thie paragraph
shall not p)ly to-

Section

tAl the sale ar delivery by a manufacturer or

importer of such anmunt,ion for the use of th
Uniled sLales or ny deparlment or gency thereof
cr rny State or any departmenb' agency or
poli,cal subdivision lhereof .
to manufacJre is ffifg
projeceiles
in caliber 45/7t. There are
caliber
n
.451?t caliber, By the
severl handguns
your
there re thre
$munon
of
descript,ion

?he ammunj"tion you intend

designe

the description of yolr rlott-lead *hoe. deeign

one and tbree meet the definition of armor pi-g:cing
ammunibion in secuion 921tal trziei- r t., sfffl
caliber projecti3.e t:rr design two has only a lead core
Base on

it, is nob arr$tf, pi"erciag amrnunition as defined. For

further inf,ormaton, plaas ee lhe enclosed pamphlet
concerning 3Ir piercing ammunitian'

liltATOE

REVIgVJER

EVTEWR

FEVIlrYER

REYIESEF

BVIEWR

CDE
SUENAME
DAT
'UE Affir P,lrtnodlb. @

t2t

- lel{lltl3sat

RTP

oEPART!|ENT OE THE TFEASUFY

ALcoHol, tarcco xo FTREAMs

BUREAU oF

CLEARANCE

IIE
foregoing has been responsive

We rust, LhaE he

your inquiry,

If

please contact. us.

we may be

of any further

E,o

assis8ance,

Sincerely yours,

{}oxa*'
Curtie .. arlett

Chief Firearrns lechnology Franch

E:rcLosure

INITT}R

SEVTEWE*

f,EVIEWER

EVIE}TER

BEVIWER

HEVtET993

cotE
TURNAT/I

t^Tg
rU

122

Baffi$r

Pdrft..retr

&- ttl.tllrfs:f

RIP

t.{AR 2

lge?

EsCE3Fl
331t

Technlcal Servlces
674 B6t(hLre Drive
State collgr, Pennsylvanl.a 16803

Hudeon

Dear

ffAK

|IhLg refers to your

classfLcatLon ot g

proJecile yor

letter of l{arcb }c tt97, requastLng

alloy solld eual1 ars

litle

18 tfnlted tateE Code {U,s.e.}, chapter 4{,

sectton 921{a} t1?} eftna anunltlen and aruor
plerclnE annuntl.an ag follorsr
{17}

(}

lFta

ter

carrl.dge cEes,
eslgned fr uE

{B}

$anunLtionfr seana nmunltion or

prlnere, bullets, ar rropell.ant

in

any fl.tream.

powder

Th tetm rra:ror plerclng annunitiontr mn-

() a proJectll* or proJectlte eore rbl.sh nay

e usad ln q handgun and ttrch ls entirel.y
{ercl"udlng the presense of traces of other
ubstancee! fron on er eosinatl.on of
tungstea alloys, stee1, i.rnn, brass, bronze,
berylLluro cspper, or eplete uraniurr cr
{} a fult jackead proJeclla larger than
.2 ealiber deslgned and inteaded for uee la a
hangun and hose iasket has a ueight cf uore
than 25 percent cf the toat relgtrt cf the

reJeetlle.

ffi
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Ft3E'lA ..t1
fi

EEVIFryEN

R:lIEYCEF

Rtl'ITTEF

EVEWEtl

10t ntTtct it{ cx

APPROVAL AN CLARANCE

t['nr, or

lFEtyt

t or

.U-3.Gclrtrt'rhtl!Ol*

t23

all

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fi{50

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(C)

tern rror pierclng arouniton doee not

inslude shotgun shot regulrett by Federal or
State envirornental or gn regulationg for
huntinE purposs, a franglble lroJectlle
designed for target shootlng, a proJectlle
rhtcb thg Secretary flnde Le prinarlly
J.ntended to be used for sport,lng purpoes, or
any other proJectlle or proJestlla core shich
the Secretary f,indE la Lntendad to be uge for
Laustrlal purposes, lncludlng a clrarge usad
Ln an oil and gaa r*eLl perforattrg devlce,
The

fiItgt)

deflnitLon of
above.

rnunLt

ar:nor

the
as quoted

trltle

2? Code of Federl Retlatiore {CFA}, Part 1?3,

SEctlon 178.37 provldes that *llc petson ghal.l
a:ufacture r Lupcr, and no raaufacturer r i.nporter
shall eel1 or dellver, rlor plercing aanunLtlon,
excapl

(al the !nufacture or inportation, or tlre eale or

dellvery by any nnufactnrer or lnporter, of, atruor
plercing armunl.tion for the uEe of the tlnlted statEs or
any egartnent or ltneT thereef r any State or any
deparuent, agncy, or polltca1 subdivisLon thereof;
{b} e canufacture. or the sala or {aLlvery by a
nanuf,acturer er Lrnporter, of rrsrr plercng aanunLtion
far the puttlsa of, exportatlcn; or
{c} fhe sale ar delivery bT a rcuf,acturer or Lnporter
of nor pLercag aunito fcr the purpoaes of
teating r exlref.uentaton as authorlaed by the
Erector uer the provisions af, Sectlon 1?8.{3.t

coo

$TlTCB

FgVIEWER

tvtllTrtl

ttv't,H

VIEITER

TIVItsIYR

UR.
IAM

9T

ttoS tr-ra
nSPLACC 10.6 EOT|
^t"

eo*REttf)ltDr{c rPovL Af{ cl*c

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rgsunY
qB^r oF.lc{oL t4gcs fl
''r8 Frrr8
'lr.g.

124

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[ilf)
l{e regret that our respoase coul not be nore favorable
at this tine. ff re can bE of any further assietance,

pleaEe contac us.

fncerely youra,

Chief,

IIITTOR

FI!YlIT'I

COD

8dt+ard lrl. O*en, .r,

Fl.rearmE Technologgr Branch

ylttrt

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*:.;ri:nitl:* ,-::lcl, a:rli* I.n; Ir .:;.1:3"8r-ivt: r

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f*r * d*i:*,'ucllrc cj*c*. ?l.1 :..*nlrl*n i, n&?::r*;jr:L t
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af tht ci' .rriii in .r:.r br'.'n -r..g!r.,:rr:ri i c:,fi li:.. le-i1,.1
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.,T:er i'culri nt.rtlfy th: l!Ff, l';ncr ti:.:t tl:;i1.un;tir;:r

n tubj'-'ct l'i Ir!Lt.:;i10n,

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in:u!ey. 1f r.t i:l'iil uf a.ny !'u'!l1ri:4'd{.,j!rfnc{j, }jir',3i-i
'rCtl

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EPAfiTtvlENT OF THE TREASURY

EUREU OF ALCOHOL. T(}ECCO 'T FIREARMS

WASHrNGfo. o.C

Bltacln

ou ee

N0v

-2 psa

south 1 ltlonte, Callfqrnia

91?33

;#FH"
Fotrero
1443

Inc

venue

er

?hs refers to your lettr {f tgtt 24, L992, to the

Burea of lcohl, Tobacco aad Firearnrs ("F], in vhlcF
you ashed that ll2 .Xal6 ca.iber arn${ piercin
unitlon be exenpted frcn the deflnltlon of arnar
plercing anunition as contained in 18 U.s.C.
hapter-4,1 5 921{a} {1?} {B}.
the clted sectlon defines arntr pierelng arqunition a:
?he ter rtar$or plerclng anmunitionrr neans a
proJecile or projectile core slich nay be
used In a handgun and vhlch is constructed
entlrely {excludlng ths presence of traces of
ather substancel fron ne or a colnatien
of tungsten alloye, stel, Lr*, brassn
bronze berylLlun ceppr cr depleted uraaiun'
Such term does no lnclude shotgiun ehot
reguired by federal r sete environnental or
gare regulatlons for hunting Ftrpeses'
irangible proJectile rlich ttre Sacretary
fisds is priuarily l:rended ts be used for
sporlrg purposes, r any other projecti)-e.or
ploJecti:. cre shch the esretary fnds is
lntended to e used for iadustrial purposes,
including a charge used in oil and gas rrell

perforating devLce.
Exaulnatlon f the $2 .30l6 callber arsor plerctnq
amnunllton lndicates that the proJectile ls c$nstructed
using a full oetal Jacltet an a projectile core.
cansrtcted frou steel, Based on lts cngtructicn and
the fact that a handgun chambere for the .30/6
coruoerclally
ctrtrldEe has recentl.y been nade
availabie, thd annunitlsn ia guestlon neets the
defnitlon sf arnor piercing arnnunltion"

r27

RP

-2-

l{o$ever, based on our research and the background

infnroation provided rith ycur Letter. lt 1s lrell
doeunenled that tbe HZ .30/06 arnor plerclng eartridge
has been recognLzed as being suitable for target
shooting with rlfles due to its accrrasy.
Therefore, TF fel th ilz .39106 caliber arnr
plercing ammunltlon ls prirnarily lntende for eportlng
purposes and ie nct subJect tt tha restrictlons lxposed
on he manufcture, luportatLon, or dj.stribtltion of
arnor plercing aromunitlon.
Flsase ba advlsed that shculd unfcreseen Pralens
develap, this classlfication la subJect to revies'
I,le rust that the foregcing as been responsl.ve tc your

ingulry.

128

tr
(
)

t-a_l

RTP

I
APR 2

-stt3

IST
E:CE: FT!
3311

lliror

ttr. DavL G. Soyd

irectar
Offics of Selenee and TechnologY
Xatloaal Insttute of ilust,lce
633 IndLana venue, lll{.
lfashlngton, tC 20531
ear lf:r. Boyd:
thls s in rep ly to yorr requet that a roun of 9ut
Parabellum s1 lber aununitLon be claeslfied under the
provfelons.of extstLng Federal law. sampl.e of the
teclrnical docuuentatl.on naE dellvered by
on pril 23, 199?.
Saulntion cf the subltted sauple lndiEates that Le
9 arabe!3u:E callber cartrge loadd rlltb an annular
nose sslid base (s3) proJectile. llbe projectlle has
a hollotr cavity Eteel ctrr urrounde by a copper
{gut}dtng uetal} Jacke- The conical sr nore portln
of the teel core is exposed.
SectLon 921{a} t1?) (B} (t} efines the tera rmor
plerclng a:nunltlon as a proJectlls og prgJeEtLle core
rhlch ry be used Ln a handgiun an rhich Ls constructad
entlrely {exclulng the preEsnts f traceg of othsr
substnes) fro ore or a ccubLnat"lan tf tungstn
alloys, eteI, lron, braes, bronze, erylliun cqp3ert
or dpl+ted uranltu. lhe cited efinition does ot
include shotgiun sho requlred by Federal or State
envir<*mental or gan rgu1atons for huntint purpoes,
a frangible proJec1le eslgmed for targat.shootf.ng' a
rojeeita rbLc the secretary flnds is prluarily
llnded to be used for sporting Furlees' or ny other
proJectlle or proJectila ore shlch the Secretary flnds
lis intene to be used for tndustrlaL purposee'
lacludlng a charge used in an ol} and gas well
lerforating device.
gooG

un.
AIttE

REYIENI'

rt

o1
GTLCE8
^1'

EytEwtt

EVtEUr3

vtErvEF

HEVIEYYE

a
co*t3PorDl{c P?OVAI

lTlof!lllHlCH 13B80'.E1E

Af CL*AFC

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129

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l,lr. Davd G.

Boyd

Based on the cl.ted deflnltlon and our examl.natlon, tlre

9nn Parabellum caLiber cartridge nith steel eore AI|SB

projectile fs arnor pierclng aulunition as defined.

aitionally, the stel core Al{sB proJectile n and of
itself is also arnor piercing annunLtion. It was noted
n the technical naterl.al subuitted that a 7.62tnn NTo
(.3o8 {inchester) caliber cartrLdge !.ncorporating the
teet eore t{sB projectlle hae been manufactured. rhis
cartridge and proJectile are also arnor piercng
anmunltl.on as defined.

For yout Lnformation, enclosed Ls a panphlet concerning

armoi piercng anuunilon. this pamphlet includes the
cited definitions, unlaeful acts and licensing
requirementE for the larrful manufacture of armor
piercing amunitlon.
I{e trust that the foregoing has been responsive to your
inquiry. If se can be of any further assistance,
please contact us.
Sl.ncerely yours,

EdHard lr[. O$en, ifr.

Chief, Firearns Technology Branch

Enclosure

INITIATOR

EVIEWER

REVIEWE

FEVIEWEF

EEVtW

YtwH

CDE

8U

NAME

DAlE
ATF FT32.A
EPLACES

F.t'I

t06 Drrlot{

CORBSPONDENCE APPROYAL AND CLEABANCE

WHICH lS oESOLETE

130

OEPRIMEHI OF I}IE IREAgUY

AURAU OF ALCOHOL TOSACCO AI{D FIREIiHS

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vr! &E!:rlC r!r1rt 5.91.'n (.2?1) t.alihr's fi!it$q rnC $1q trnll
i:rr:'.rtttatttt :*it-l f{:3?eCt to tfi* r(:c..ntlV "t*Ot,c;l }cql;1rt l*r r:atrlcf {n{ th -nnuf*.1., l*-:rcr,116n snC 1F
of Ia--,lr tll(rln tr-.rurlt icn,
s{.ehJcn tl?l {a} (1?} {*} r Chptar 44. 'rltle lB. lr.!i.f . ..!r:f lci{'r}
r'r)r iqfelr.l R."rrnlticn a:r
i;e tr.r'rr lia" [. ler('I n r grr'run t inn -F,:n..
r,roJest lln or rrofr,rt il core hlcl. r1, b*
u$c(! ln hnnrl'un a! ,;hlclr I canst I ucte('
rn[ | r] y ( r.xcl ud i rn t .rrrcl-.cr' rf trcrr.
t rrtlf f su\tnrCer: ) f t r- onc' or R Conbl6f-{cn
f t-*rqtcn sl loya, rte,r-11 , lrcnr hrcq, brnz-.,
hcryll iu., conr.rr or tlonlr.ttr< ur,:n!t,. $r'cI
t*r. d:: tt ineluto shor..un $hct r**lrrr'J
r fe{:*?:*l t'fit,e nvlrnentrl or Cr1,g 1-lttc'ns, for huntinn pur.-ooer frrnrrtblc, ,-r,J...tile; ;-j.:i'rr,.:f t:er terret hoLlni. a ptcJr;q:tl.r
rrhfcTl tl:c "cernLnry fin4s l pr{-rfly lntcn4e.l
tn tr* ri*l f,rrr rlvJrt I n.J f,ur;rr.:tr | .J* pny othtr
!rj+c?ltc or rofoctllo cc::+ hlch t* g*crct"lr,r
fLnd: ta lrterl':cl to bc :ierJ for fn,!*:trial
trtJfpor(}{i, inClurll:il a ch&rr u*r: 1n an oll
"1* os r.rr11 pr:rf*rt ln! !t:vlc.
f'ra*rJntlcn of th,. f11.lOq (,'g55 trll) r:rl.nrrnltlon fnrlIc.rt<'.r
thr tho pr*Jectlte-. l* *onr?trrctll urrln: { frl 1 t1et*l f ackr"f
ftn,: !rr(r1u'ct l1r, c!-{$ cnntrrtctsr{ ^eJ. a ste*1 nnotrtnr
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tha irSlr]/tl)")5 nrc jc.ct.I -${)Ls t}o {vc rlcf !n!tlon
ol grt or pl rr rC I n,l . :*un I t I art .
COD

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r-ll.{tsf? :l'J clvltian rifle :te'!rf.:ri}i:llt-inn' ft u::s
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(

h X6 )

Dear

Thls refer to your letter of Decelsber 29, 1994, ln

whlch you aek about uraking a lead bulIet Hith a "BB"

ln ths noge.
Ag definedl ln Tltle 18, Unite Statee Code eection
921(a) {17} (B) the tern ,arnor piercng aqunLtlon'
mean -(t) a proJectlle or proJectlle core whlch uay be
useel ln a handqrun and hich {E congtructed
entlrely (excludlng the preaence of traces of
other eubstances) fron ne or a ce!binatlon of
tungsten alloys, steel , iron, brae6, bronze,
berylliun copper, or depleted uranlun; or
(1f) a full Jacketed proJectlle larger than .22
aaliber deelEned and lntended for use ln a handgnrn
and vhoee Jacket hag a welght of ore than 25
percent of the totat weight of the proJectlle.
(c) The tern ,rnor piercing annunltlon' doeE not
lnclude shotgun shot regulred by Federal or state
envlronnental or gne regulatlonE for huntlng
purposs, a frangile prolectile deglgned for
target ehootlng, a proJectile whlch the Secretary
flnde le prlrnarlly lntended to be uged for
eportlng purposeaf er any other proJectlle or
proJectlla eore whlch the Secretary flnds ls
intended to b used far ndustrla purposee,.
lncludlng a charge ueed n an oil and gas well
perforatlng device.
connon [BBr shot le nade of copper plated eteel;
thErefore, a proJectlte r,hlch nay be used in a handgun
havlng a steel BBn enbedded in the nose uould be ruor
pierclng annunltlon ag deflned.
It ls unlt*ful for nyone otlrr than a proprly
"tllrt'tYlrt '' - =flF teEll - -nEvrlEr
'-lgnEEF-plerej ng anmunJ.l lon can
trthar, ar mor
enbedded

coo
8UR.

( I5

XffiE[t

DATE

aT? nt^ F.rr

R?rcE8 totr EDtor{ YTHICH

AP'ROVL AIO CL&TBAIC

orrrrronorrw ttt{r

tur, rlf4not- 1ot^tolr tt*lcs

1,'

136

3 oto

r*..*f

Jtaatt

RIP

rGl)
nly b nufacturd f,or ue by governoent entltles,
for export, or for teeting and experinentatlon,
.authorJ.zed by the Secretary of the rreaEry.
Addltional lforatton concerning arnor plercing
amunltlon Ls anclosed'
s regret that our rePonae ln thle matter has no been
rore f,avorable. If you have further questlons
concernl.ng thle matter, please contact ue.
SincerelY YourE'

Edlrard l,l. Onn, Jr.

chtf, Flrearlas technIogy

Branch

e8clogure:

tatr

rAtu

Fr1VItst

REVrvEF

AfPOVALAilO

1.37

RTP

U.S. Department of Justice

Bureau of Alcchol, Tobacco,
Firearns and xplosives

0rT

tr mt
eo305owu
n

wx rtf gov

3311/20S4-640

b X6 )

o"rIIIGII

This is in response

10

your letter to the Bureau of Alsahol" Tobacca, Firearrns ard Sxplosives

(ATT), Firearms Technolog[y Branch, in whieh you inquire retber the ammlnition you intend
to make is armor piercing at dcEned in the Gun Contrsl ,ct of I g68 (GCA). You atso ask if a
icense to mrufacture ammunition is required in orclsr lo produee it.

As specified inthc GC,

firerns the folloluing:

(i)

ot

U.S.C. Section 921{a}{17}(B), the term crmer pierci*g ammuniton

or projectilc corc whish may bc used n e handgun ansl whieh is

entirely (excluding thc presence ofaces ofathcr substances) om sne
of trugsten alloys, stecl, iron" ross. bronze, lxryllium ccppcr, sr

depleted uranium; or

(ii)

afull
handgn

pmjectile largcr tban 22calibcr dcsigcd aad itsnded for use in

jrckct has a weigt of nors tftan 2l pcrcent cf the total weight

whose

the

Ifthe ammunilion you are

caliber, it would bs rfior

is produced eompletely fom brss and is in

ammunition as defied abve.

pistol

Yor should bE +rre ihat lle GCA, l8 U,S.C. Sectian 922{a}$}, stsles that it is unlwful for any
Eqrson 10 ma*ufaclure or import armor piereing ammunition, wilh the exception of--

(A)

the rnanufactws or impofation f such anmrmition fsr the use of thc U*ited Statcs or
any departmcnt or agncy thercof or any Statc cr any dsFardnenir agencn or political
sbdivision tbereof,..,

138

RTP

-i-

ffi

Also, Section 922{aX8}" stls that it shall be unlawful for lny manufaetuf or impoer to sell
or deliver armor piercing ammunition, cxcept for the fcllowing:
.."{r1} the manufctrut or importalion af such ammunition for lhc usc of the Urited Strtcs or any
deparBnent or agcncy thcrcofor any Stalc or any departrnent, agency, or political subdivisios

thcreof....
Listed on page 1?5 in the "$eaeral Information" sectisn af tht Federal Freanns Regtatotts
Gria 1*in $S0.4) are cnoic tpes of armorivrring ammunition and particulr
oxmptions &om this definJtion. This list has beeir provided ss an saclosue {o thi letter.

lYith respect tc required licenses, pl:ase note that far the maufacture of ammunition, a'I'5e
license, "Mnufacture

Of

manufasfue
Destructive evices,
To provide futher details
and records keeping, rve
Federal regulations on
Regdatiaxs Gude.
We thank you for yr

Por Firearss," is required. Those planningto

musthave a T1e 10 Licanse,'Manufacturer cf

For Destructive evices Or .{rmor Piercing Amrnuniiion."
to the reguirements fo a$msnition srafking" transfening
also rclosing appropriato portions sf the tcxts of comprehensive
issues. These texts arc tsrlnined in the Fsderal Freanzrs

and trust that the fcregoing has

be

responsive.

Sincerely yours,

I
Sterling Nixon

Cliei, Firearms Teehrrllogy Sranch

Enclosrcs

139

RTP

1:8.

ARMOE, PIERCINC AMMI,JNITION

For purposes of the prohibitions imposed upon manufacture, importation, and transfer of armor
piercing ammunition in t8 U.S.C. 922(aX7)-(8) and 923(e), armor piercing ammunition includes
the following:

KTVf AMMUNITITN, sll

Identied by a green coating on the projectile.

all calibers. ldentified by a pointed bronze or brass prcjectile.

ARCANE
.

THV AI\{MLINITION, all calibers. Identied by abrass orbronze projectile and a head stamp
containing the lelters SFM nd THV.
CZECHOSLV.AKIN manufactured grnm Parsbellum (Luger) ammunition having
cupronickel jacket and a head stamp
dates of 49, 50, 51, or 52. This bullt is attracted to

steel bullet core. Identified

containing a triacgle, star,

an iron

or

magnet.

Parabellum (Luger) having an iran or steel bullet core. Original

08 rn.E. May have black colored bullet. This bullet is

GERMAN manufactured
packaging is marked
attracted to a magnet.

MSC .AMMLINITION, caliber .25 Identied by a hollow point brass bullet.

NOTE: MSC ammrmition, aliber .25 identfied by a hollow point copper bullet is not armor
piercing.
BL^A,CK STEEL ARMOR

IIERCING AIvMLINITION, all calibers,

as

praduced by National

Cartridge, Atlanta, Georgia,

I

SLACK STEEL METAL F,IERCING .AMM{.JNITION, all calibers,

CarEidge, Atlanta Gaorgiai

as produced

by National

7.62mmNATO AP, identifted by black coloring in the bullet tip. This ammunition is used by
various N^ATO countries. The U.S. military desigpation is Ml AP.
t

7.62mmNATO S1-43. Idehtined by projectile havng a plastic sabot around

hard peneEator.

The penetrtor protrudes above the sabot and is similar in appearance to a Remingion acceterator

cartridge.

PMC ULTRMAG, .38 Sp,ecial caliber, constmcted entirely of abrass tlpe materal, and
plastic pusher disc located 4t the base

ofthl

projectile.

NOTE: PMC ULTRAIVAG 38J lateproduction made of copperwith lead altoyprcjectils is not
armor

piercing

140

RIF

lS. 8MOR PIERCING AMMT I|ITION {conr}

:

OMMSHOCK. A .38 $pecial eartridge wilh

Ilatteried head regembling

a lead bullet containing a

mild sle1core witb

wad cullsr,

NOT0: OMNISHOCKeardgcs havi*g

a bullet with an aluminum cre are

rot armor piercing.

?.62x39mm rvith steel core; Thsc prajcctilcs have stel core. NOTEI Prajectiles having a
lead corc rvith stccl jacket eteel cse sr aot armor piercing.
1

141

RF

lrr

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

EURAU OF ALCOHOL. TOSACCO O FIEAM3

WASHrI'GTON, O C. 20226

JUL 2 T I9g5

{11 Far$el} venue

go. st. PauI, l,flnnesota

E:CE:F!TE
3311

'wD

550?5

Dear

This refer to yr letter f .]uty 12' 1995, ln which

y$u aslc aout .3t/o6 callber ffituntio haying a fuLl
iret,al Jackated bullet uith a stl grojectlle core
{rmr piereing}.
Secio*s 9?1{a}{17}{B} and {C}' Chapter 4. Title 18,
u,s.c, defin the lerm r$ol piercing ffirunitlan as!
{f} a projectlle or proJect'ite sor hich xay be used
in'a anaun and uhicl is constructed enll'rely
{excluding tbe presecs of traces of other substances}
from one or a combination of tunsten alloys, steel,
iron, brass, btronze, beryll.iun copper' or depl-eted
uraniurc.

{ii} a fulL Jacketed projectile larger than .a2 caLlber

designed and lntended for use in a bangun and *hose
Jackt has a neight of more than 25 percent of the
of the projectile'
(Cl The term armcr piercing annunltiqn does not include
trtgun shot required by Federal r stte envlronnental
or gnre regulations for-hunt,lng Furposes' I franglble
projectile-designed for tarqet ehcotinq' a proJectile
ririrr tTre secretary finds is prnerlly intended to be
used for sport.lng urposes, or ny cther proJectile or
projectil"s cre r*hich the Secretary f inds -is intended
io e used for lndustrial purposes, including a charge
ueed ln an oil. and gas nell perforating devlce.
total

r+reight

t42

RTP

'r.

-2-

flm
previously
,3gla6 caliber af$or plercing arnuniton has
?herefore'
definitions.
the-above
trour
ren"vA
i
tt- ansunltlan in guestLon is not eubject.to the
restrictio on tbe manufacture, inportaion, or

detivery of armor pierclng amunltion'

t{e trust that tbe foregeing bas been responslve to your
inguiry. If ne nay be-of ny further assistance'
please contact ue.

Sincerely yours'

Mf]

Edrard l,t" Oren' ,Jr.

Chlef, rirearms fecbnologY 3ranch

t43

Rlp

't
EPARTII IilT (F THT TTTEASURY
BURTAU ('FALGOHOL TOBACCO {D FTREARMS

w^tHtt{60r*, c 2O2
NoV 2 4 flCo

so3o50
33

fire

IEIG'|

Ll./1-

123

nc

116111 Rairrbow Ridge

Iieloles, Eexas ?8023

Dear

Thie refer to your letter of Oclber 3r 200t, in

which you ask about i.*portal<r of . L? cliber rinf re
anmunition.

s defined in secion 921 {a} {r:} {si , af Title 19.

TJnite"d gLates Code, he errn '*rmor piercing
anmuniio!:" means:

{i} a projectile or projeeliSe cre which may be

ir a handgun and shich i.s censtructed
entirely texcluding the preeence af traces of
ther substancesl from one or a cambinaion of
tungslen alloys, scee1. ircn, brass, bronze,
bery3liurn cspper, or depleed uraniu$i or
{i} a fuLl jackeEed projectile Irger than ,22
caliber designed and lntended for use in a.
handgun and whose jacker has a r,reight of more
than 25 percen of the toLl ueight af the
projectlle,
used

oarmor pierci.ng arnmunitirn" does not

include shotgun ht requred by Federal or g!Le
environmenLal or garre regulations for hunting
purpses, a frangible projectite designed for
trget shooling, a projectle whch th Seeretry

tC) the tertn

fnds is primarily

nended

ta be used for

spo,rtifig purpoEes, or any other projeeEile er

proJecil core rhlch the Secretary finds s
intended o b,e used for LndusUril gurposes,
iacludlng a charge used in an oi1 and gas r*ell
perf,oratng device,

ryurf .ATf .titA.eoY

t44

RIP

.
'z-

X6 )

Sinee brass is one of the lisEed metals, a .1? caliber

rirnfire cartridge having a brass bul-leL ou1d be
armor-piercLng ammunitj.on as define{, .. pure copper
proJectile ould rroE be armor-plerclng ammuniion. It
is generally unlawful to import or nanufacture armorgiercing amr*aition except for g+vernment use,
Addilional nformalion is enclased.
l'e Eru hal he foregoing has been reaponsi.ve to
ycur nqulry- If you have further quescions
ccncerning ehls atter'. please ccntacl us.

Sncerely yours.

Chief.

Curfis ..

Barlet.L
Frearms leebno:.ogy Branch

nclcsure

145

RIP

Depanr.ant

af the Treasury

BUREAU OF ALCOHTL
.TOBACCO
& FIREARMS
24 HOUR TELPHONE:

WASH|NGTON, D.C. 20225

f'y-8?-3
Jnuary 161 198?

For lnedae Selease

Contct ot Koeser
?F

1221 566-7135

TSST}ES TEI{POT&T RUL ON ROR-IRCXSG }I}1U}I!TII}TT

-- In odays Federll Relster TF ls lasulnq

a tenporary rule to anend thE, f,lrasnrrs regulatlong' the
regulatlors nust ba a,rended o lrnpter$nt Pbltc Lal 99-f08
hlch rsrlets the ranufacur, lnport, and eale of arrnor-plarclag
srrrnunltfoa. thE tenporary rule fs olfecttvs January 161 198?r
except for Ehose ralalng to llcnefn provlslons uhlch
becanc effactlvc Decetbcr lr 1996'

ifashlnton

some

of the na* stttutory provlslcns uhlh nacessitLe

regultry changas lncludc:

1!.No Fsrscn rnay manuftsur or lmport rnr pl*rctng amqunlllcn
nd ns nufEturetr r lnporter nay aell cr'dellver such
alrunltion xcept f,or use f th altd Sttes r any Stat*r

or for exprt or

tes149.

2l rnor plerc!n rmnunlign tay cnly l,e'nnufasture'd, inarted,

sald or dallvsrad by lcensad nanuf,rcurrs and lrnpor!rc.
3

) tlce*sed

nprrs nd nanufcturr

nutt nlrk

11 erqor

plercln prcJectlleg nd packaee conalnln ehe proJectllee.

4) ?he Dlr*ctor of, AIF nay, aftcr *otlce

146

an opgortunlty

for

RIF

,
-2hearing revoke the license of a dealer vho n1llfully
tranefers anror plerclng annunitlon. ?he Dlrector of
ff nust deflne hlch proJectilee are considered arnor
plercing and provlde the- nfonnalon to each lieeneed
deler.

5)

Recordkeepln provlsions are provlded

for a1l

ror

plercl.ng arnmunltion disposltlons.

6)

ars estbllshed for aproval to recelve

piercing arununitlon for testing or experl.mentatlon.

Procedures

rmor.

Csnnenta on the teriporary

rule are due grlt 16,

19S?, 3nd
Exploslves'Operg,t*ons

Plrearme,

ReEiater

POB

189'

for further

*t

147

RIF

!t

JUL

;ffi

22ffi

IE: FTE
3311 . t

'lw

td

N. 29 veue
Pheanix, riaona 85017
o**r il,
fhis refers to your letter cf JulY 14, 1993r concernLng
tuo handunE chanbeed f,or the .3 tsFtG crtrldge,
s described, the subJect, flrearns
boIt, actions and have a arre1 length
{ineludnq muaale brake} and an avsrall
muzz
inshes. You 4o not lndicate uletter sr
brakes are perfianently at a
provlded. it anpears that the
382S

tby
IEIS]

th descrip!n provfded' the tro hanguns r

firearms as defined ln Title 18, {lnite* stte code
{.s.c. } S e?1{a} {3} .
s defined tr S 5845{a) {4} of the Hatlona}. Firrms ct
{ilFJ , the term trfirarmrt means a rleapon nade frorn a
rf,Le f such veapan as :nodified has n overall length
of le*s than e6 nches or a barrel or barrelE of, less
thn 16 lnehes ln Length. Since theEe handguns are not
urade f:om rifLes and since the barrel length and
overall tengttr are n sxcss of, the ct*d dinensions'
tlrey are nat firearns as deflned.
Tn addti*n, s def,ined ln $ s45(e) ef tha NFA the
tern a*y ather aponn neludes various qonce1able
fLrear*s, handgun having txs vertical grips may
qualify as an $any other weaponn horever, due to their
large sf.ze, these hangune are not concealable on the
person and tey ar not rtany cher rraIlosrr as defined.
SasEd n

TODE

3t F.

tlAi'l

IT

( pl

X6

REVE.ITH

EVrtllan

FEYIEWEF

FEYIEWTT

DATg

F F13:JA {.

FE?!ACE8 !Od6 EgTtOr$ilteH

co9gsP{tf{og{cG aPovAL Ait clE*c

rsttsol-tE

lrtr^

DGilAI.t or lil tlit*T

LOOHOL

rl

148

rra

fot c6qn9 ?n^ilg

tr?{t. t -tt ?,t?lLa

RIP

l.

-zSnce tlre bores are not greater than one-haLf lncl ln

dl.ameter, they are not destructive devices as defl.ned

in g 5845{f} of the NFA,

s definad 1n 18 U.s.c. S 921{} (1?} (B), the tero
rrarnor piercing aruunitionrt nans a projectlle or
proJectile cere r*hich nay be used in a bandgun and
wtcfr ls ccnstructed entirely {excluding the presnce
of traces af oher substancee) fron one trr a
conblnatlon of tungsten a}Ioys, steeL, iron, brass,
bronae, berylllurn copper, or depleted uraniun.
t{e feel that you should be auare that camnsn .50 8l{G
caliber ball am-munitlon has a projectlle wLth a steel
cre. Should handguns in this salLber become
corrnercially avail.able,,5o caliber t{G annunitlon
ou1d then Lecoare subject to controls on r$r piercin
anrnunitl.o* s Frvided in 18 lt,s.c. Chapter 44. l{e
sugqest tlrat any nanufaeturer seekirg ts produce
hadguns in his callber nay wsb to conslder the
potentiat effect on the status of, ttis annunition'
{e trust that the foregcing ha beEn responslve to your
inquiry. If you have further questienE concernnE thls
$tter, please contact us.
Slncerely ycurs,

b/
Edtard l!, $en, ,]r.
ChLef, Fireats Teehnology sranch

IHITITgF

REYIEWE

fvtrwt

FVIESIER

FEVFI{F

gvt

CODE

sufi-

t{trl
A1E

llF

F13.t

{.'.r

qOtSPOfvO!lC A'POVAL ANE CLEAHC

EpLAtfS 106 g0lTltr, wHtClr lt OStLfS

t49

Hl

otitrffi of

rr{

?ftttiRr

lol tcsllD tflclti

* lrs, o.l': !sl- 3l.trl'r.

Or rCOtloL

RP

JAlt I 'i

t5

n
t|l

LE:F:Tg TTTreII
l3 11. d

ea

in
?his refers to your leter of lovber 13. 1992,
r"hich ycr: challenge the languaga *f the ten tarsor
piercng arnmunitionrr as defired irr 18 U.S"C.' Chapter

44 S e21{a} {17} {F}.

In partlc$lar, yeu f,ee. that the tcr trentirely" r*here
it exlsts +ithin the efinltion ehould be aupplanted by
the vcrd [Bolidrr. Your eugesticn is lnfluenced by the
eslgn of the 12n gyroJet anntrnitlcn and yaur dslre
to remove such ammunition fron the purview of the armor

piercing classiflcatian. though the cyrojet

anrnunition caslng dorblEg as tbe proJectile and ls
lollot+ to accon:nodate the propellant, {t 1g constructd
the GyroJet ernnunltlon
entlrely froo steel. therefore,
met.s he defnitian of ttrnor plercing annunltionrr s
defned in the above cited satute. The sttutory
dfinitlon was dictted by CongresE and can only be
anended by furtler 1eglslaion.
l.e trust the feregolng has baen responsive to your
inqulry, If re can e of any furtber asslstance, plese
cona+t us.

Sincerely yors'

I:J
Edrard l{. Ol^e: Jr,
Chief, FirEarms Technology

REytF$,tsl

ftvtEfYafa

Branch

xbvrFatx

ft:.vtbwH

co0E
3UF.
NAHE

A?g
AYF T1&.gA

' .ft

fr9LCE3 18

Dtrroil

COAF:SPOT'ID'.TE

WHICt{

8SOtTE

APPROVAL U CLEA.CP
SrJRf^tr

Dtut1 f llr 18 6uw

of coor. Tocco ,l FlE^arra

Irt, Oilarrrtretk 31 - l6tgarl

forv-ri'...!:,:'-AJ-** qe

150

*ts7
RIP

OEPARTIIEHT OF TH TREASUFY

t -- 5'"i

llD FIFE*I|S
NI.ICE APPROVL AHD CLEAHA{CE

BUREAU OF ALCOlrOt, TOBTCCO

JtL

I trs
eo3o5o

t6fGll

331r,lo-514

tGtrtl
nc
2299 Snake River Avenue
Fos ffiee Box 56
Leistcn, Idaho 835t1

ear

Thie refer to your leEter of '{ay 25, 200, regarding

"frangible" amuniiion, You aeked what is theTi'1e
defitian of fraagible amrnunEio$ as used i'n
lB, united siaEes code (u.g.cl, seclicn 921, chaFer
44. You also asked if there r $lral 0r
performance reslriclions esablished by U.S. Code or
regulat,lons for "fraagible" bulleeed al$ffiunitioa.
As defiled i 18 1t'g'c'. chPlr 44, s 921{a} {1?} {B} '
Ehe Lerm 'rmor piercing arnmuill*n' neng til a projectile or prr:jecei'} cre r*bich may be
used in a bandgun and whch is c*nslrucLe
enlirely {excLuding th Freserrce of traces of
other subslnces] from orre or a combinaLion of
tungsLen alloys, stee1, ir<)n, brss, bronze'
beryllium copper or depleced uraniun; or

{i} a fu}} jacketed projectite larger ihan '21

eal.iber deeigne and inlended far uge in a
handg*n and whose Jacket has a r+elght cf more
Lhan 25 perceot of the tseal r'reigbt of the
proJeccile.

totE
suNlil
OAT

re

REVIEWEB

FlevEwR

EEVE1YEF

FEVIEWER

REIfE}I'E*

fx

'tQ tu,iiid

151

gnisfik

t - ;r.tzlt'i?!t

RTP

OEPART',IET{T OF THE TEASURY

TO8CCO AtO;lR[tS

8t Fu oF

AND CLEFA.CE

^LCONOL
CORRESPONDENCE

--

(c) ?he term 'armor piercing ammunitior!' does no

include shotgun slroE reguired by Federal ar Stle
enviroamenlal or gme f,egulaeions for hunting
ptrlroses, a frangible proJectll.e deegned for

targec sbooting, a proJectlle thch he Secretary

fi*dc i priunrily inended so be used for
sporting purposes, or any other praject,i-e cr
projectile ccre chich the secretary finds ie
it,ended a be used for indugrial purpcses'
ncluding a charge used in an oil and gas ttell
lerforating device.
bul1e which et Lhe defintion of armor piercng
ammuniEicn uner paragraphs {i} or {if} above' r*oul,d
be excluded lrom the definiion of armor piercing
ammunition if it lere a "frnglble proJecrl3"e designed
for rget shc$gifig," However, he Lerrfi "frangible"
s not defined uader the 18 U.S.C. Chapfer 44 ar the
regu}aLions n 2? gFR pare 1?8' lle are nol arare that
the trm is speclfically defined anyuhere in th .9.
code

or federal regulaeions.

fL has been our experience Lo dbe tht t'he exenplion

for frangible anmuniion wauLd ppl1r onLy in larrolr
circumsLar:ces aad rve have not found iL necesssy to
adapb a ptrecLee definition of ttre ter:n $frang3.bl'*."
It is al*o appare$ thal currenl inter 1a res formg
of "Iead free ammunilicn *ill increase developmenc
and use of ammnition nade of other malerial'g uo
include metals enumrated in Ehe arnr piercing
amnunilcn def inltion.
since maeeriale euch as bronze or lron rticles
nay be used La fabricate both frangbl-e proJ*criles
and prcjecbiles designed for enhanced peneLration; ue
lou1d be very interested in knowing aboul any ne$t
industry etandards r*hich vril3. help tdenrtfy
"fxangibie" $murition as applied ta che language in
18 u.s.C. S e21{a} {1?} {c} '
ilril]tA{)rt

Ngv|EYIER

REVIFWER

FEVIEWEF

ftvtlrn

FVEWE

TOD
3UNAM
TE
',1Q lln,-d

t52

ld{

ffi

rr.t^tttt

RIP

APARIIE}IT OF THE TREASUFY

8URAU OF ALCOHOL, TO'TCCO D FtiAgS

CORRESPONOENCE APPFOVAL AND CLEARAI.ICE

-3-

te trusB bhaE t,he foregong has been responefve to

your inquiry. If yau have furlher quesrione or f
can be of any assistance in Ehe matter, please

ue

ccnct us.

Sincerely yurs,

(
ccilg

INITITSB

vtt{Efi

Chie

t )

GI

Firear$s rechnology Branch

FlvrEryfl

FEVIEVER

FIEVfETYEI'

EYIIIVER

c0E
SURl'M
TE
lt airffi

153

th*dft{d

lt}-

a*i-trHrtt

RIP

a
:

THETFESURY

DEPARTTIIENT

BUf,EU OF LCOHOL. TOBACEO il FERllE

coBRFsPollpEt9_E 4q P9VAL A| I LEAFANCE

l'{AR

I3

eo30s0,[ilreD
33 i.1

ffi

Dear

/2002 - 103

b X6 )

This refera to your letber of December 12' ?001,

regueeting lnformatioR on the leglily of loading .:0
caLiber armor- plerclng projecilee into .30-6
catiber carE,rj.dge cases for your per6on1 u6e.

Title 18, United StaLee Code (U.s.C.), Chapeer 44,

seceion 921 (a) t1?) (B), ln parL, defines rmor-pierslng
arrnunition

{8)
(l)

El:

The term "armor pierclng anrnuniLion" means-

a projecEile or projectile core t*hich may

be used in handgun and which ie conaErucLed
entirely (excluding the presnce of trces
of other eubeEancee)'from ne or a
combinaElon of tungslen a1].oya' sEeel,
iron, brsa, bronze, beryL1ium cpper, tr
depleted uranium; or

a ful} jacketed projectlle larger than .?2

ealiber desigrned and intended fo uee in a
handgun and whaee jacket has a weighE of
more ehan 25 percenc of ehe go41 vreigbb of
the projecLile.
The ,3t-06 M2 armor piercing callber ammunltion haa
been exempted fTom t,he definition of "r$or piercing
anrmuniLion" in the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA). It
ie lawful for a prEon to load lhe .30 caliber armor
percing type projectj.lee into .30-06 callber rifle
carbrldge case o produce ammunibion for Ehelr own
(ii)

cooE
DATE

flffi

RFIIEWER

F.VIEWR

X6
'1,

154

gffi{Pritg

RIP

DEPRTMEHT

THg TFESUFY

8URAU OF ALCHOL, TOEACO AlD

Fnrarls

HD CLEAFANCE

CORRESPONDENCE

-[IGD]

!{e trust Lhab Ehe foregoing has been responsive o

your inquiry. If e can be of any fureher assislance,
please conlacE us.

Sincerely ycurs

{}oX"*'
Curie H.A. rglet
Chief, Firearms TechnologY

rl,lTtToF

FEVIETTYEB

vT!rF

EIWER

Eranch

REVIEIIIEF

ffEV'EWEN

sus.ME
A1

'u8

t5s

ar

RIP

JAt 2

,9S5

85-610?e

l,tr. Eobsrt

b-orguBsn

Presklent
Nat.lonl Aesoclatlor f Chlofs of Poli.cs
1000 Conne cticut Avenue, .lll}hi

ngton, DC

2i36

)or l:r. Fe.rguso:

Yur lctterof Decornber 26, l9s4' eddreBed to

Prestdent, Reagan concernlng the Lsr Enforemnl offlcera
Protectlor ct of 195 has been forr+ardsd o thl Bureau

for roply,

Ite 6hsre your concgtrn cvsr th lhat to lat.l enf,orcoment

offlcers Foseo by arnror-plerclng aq$unltl.on. The legllatlve
proposal vhlct tas <leueloped by .Aff and tlo Justlce
tlepartnant would llnlnt aurunltlon spaclflcally deelgne
as ar$or-pterclng fror he conuorclal raarket. Thls
teglalative propsal, whlch has ben supported by the

aclnlnletratlonJpould not affet eportlng-type llnunltlon.

The contlnulng publlclty over the arnror-plarcing amrrunft'lon
lsue ie of great cnern to all nombort of, ttre lefi
enf,orsemsng comnulty-and tl 1g our hope that legtsltlon
Eo ef,tectlvely daal rith arnor-plerclng asmunltlon wltl
eoon be pBaed by th congtrsss.
t,e tru6L that tho foregolng ha een reeponnlve to your
lnqulry. If te can b of any furlher aelatance o you or
your ssoclatla, pless 1o not healtate o contct us,
6lncerely yourst
}cGuls
{Stgsd} PbiiliP C'

Phtfltd C. llcculre

ssoclate 'lr{rclor
{

Lav Enfrrcocent I

ffiuuiil;';'u
cc:
co
8ut.

t{rG

o^tt

$AC

fire

flrearms lv.

office

( t5

X6

A1',41r.", l+Hr.X rr^y

lEvttw

vltwi

tBcG

EVtltrr

6L^i^tci

UtO

156

nvt!$En

ivt:wllr

wu p @-

RIP

i'{qP

,:"::

lf :f:fe:fffl
3311.1

t-r
(
r

X6

fftrGt)

Bhle refers to your letter of, Ssbrr:ary ?r 1994r tn

rhlch you ask about ?.62x39n cal.lber annunltlon havlng
a steel core prelectllo being claaslfLed a rior

pf*rclng nunltlon.
11.1E 13 tt.s.g,, Chapteilld, Seetlon 921(ai{1?}{B
defines rsr glrclrg anunltlon aa:
lllPhe t rr pLerclng amunltlort lan a prnJaatila
or proJactLle ccre rhlc nay ba used ln h:rgur nd
hth la canstructe ntlroly (:rcludlng the praance
of traes of ather aubstancea) fron on t>r a
gonblnaon o! tungelen alloys, ateel, Lron, breae,
bronze. ery1lLun cppr or depl,eted uranl......
lrnplc tce, lynpla, t{aehington, h lntrodueed t}re
t{cel. }93 s$lautonalc pletol chabared for tbe
?,62x39nm cartrldge. Rocky t{ountaln sr Inc.r
Iongmont, Colorao, hag lntroduae tha l(onrae
eeulautonatic pEtel charnbered for the ?.62x39m
cart:ldge.
sJ.nce handg:uns re coEterclal.ly vailbls fcr the
?.62x39y' cartrldger aDT of tba aunltlon hauiag a

steel core proJectile neeta the efinltlen of,

pLarclng ar".unllon.

ar:rcor

tarst that the foregclng hs ben reaponel.ve tc

lnqutry. ff we nay be af any f,urther asei'etance'

{e

Yur

please eorltact us,

$tncerely yrrt

Sduard lil. onen. ,fr.

Erach
cb{f, flrelrrms
cooE
suR.
n*r
9ATg
ATF f

fl

EYIEVI'ER

fiVIEI'ER

efvlEWER

tIEVrlrrtl

REVIEIVER

*-) 4Jl

llt.84 F.rtl

ffF-.CES

t0 toTtol NvHlcrl

9tlt{t of tHg ?lErY

cofi sPogt{c APFnOVAL AtrO CLAnt{gE

S OBSOLTg

'l

57

*r^{, t rtotFi. ?occll glLs

* f.8.{rF3i r -ll t*l

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i .r
I

L3:F: rErercu

llF ?

Dear

i'-i,:

3311.

I b X6 )
W your
letter of
to

Fbruary l1r -199tr ln

plerclng nunltlon.
fitla Xg It.S.e., Chepter 44, sectlon 9?1{a}{1?}{B}
def!.es the ter arrr plerelng anunl'tlon aa
nllhe ter arroor plerclng auritlon Deang any
proJeelle or rroJestlle core uhloh nay ba uae ln a
angun and chich-Lg constructed entlrety excludlng
the rrasence of tracee of oter gubstancea) frou on or
a coibinatlon of tungsten alloys, eteel, lron, braes,
bronse, ber'rtltun copper or depleted urahu' suab
torn dse nt incluuhotgrun hct requlred by Federal
or Etate envronnental or Ee regulaflone f,or buntlng
targat
Burlloses' a franglble proJactlle dealgned for
lootlng' a proJaotlle uhlch ta secretarlr flnda fs ar
prtnarli lnteAsa o be uae for aportlng Furttostr
nv otlrei proJeolle or proJaotlle ore rbleh ttrs
sertary iGg le lntened-to bE uaed for lndugtr.lal
purposeel fncludlng a charga used I'n an oJ.1 and gae
well perf,cratlnE devlce.r
Any amunLtion DeElng the above deflnltlon requires
soclal llcEnellq to uanufactur, dletrlbute' or
tiport. dtll.tloially, tba dlatrlbutlon of t'be
arnltton 1g llulte to agprovEd ullltary, 1r
enforceent, or eror sals. Ileing or carrylng-arnor
plercfng adrnllon aurtng the-sonmleelon of certaln

llhls ref,erg

thLeh you aek about anor

crlmee aarrLee ehanced Enaltlee.

oooe

re

Yt,tY!H

iEYIEWEFt

flEvllllEft

FEVIEVYEA

018

tIla l.-fl

REtt^c3 to8
^rl

AEVEIYEF

eoEseor{of'cE AI?FOVAL ANO CLAI'C

oTrS r'XleE IEOBSOLF?

oEPttuElf oF lllg tr$.F

rRrar

of dr* taco xrD

158

It oP,o;

lnts

rt-tritrrt.

RIP

tlon
If,
t
o!
of
proJectlle or Fr<J
tlcn to thiE
of,t.lse fsr clagelf
tfs trgst tlt tbe foregolng has been reeponalva to your
lngulry. ff, r nay'be of iny frther aealetance,
pleace eontact us.
SlnccreIy
b

::

IflIT'TGE

-nt
Er6r

REVIET'gR

FEY'ITEF

YttrER

''ROVAL tlr

1 59

EYttre

NYIET'I

erul'o

RIP

I]E: F:TE

3311.4

{re

JUli ' g 'ijgZ

(
er

b X6 D

flre

?lris E ln respone to your letter af ecember 2t a992,

reguestlng lnfrmatlan n lLcenaing and exclse !
re,nlrenete, and the applicabiLLty of the regulatlons
on rnqtr plarclng.antunltLon as thes sul apply to
eolr.d aetal bullta you praPoa to man$factr,
:.9 U,S.t chpter 44 S 921(a) (1?l, glves tlre followlnq
deflnltions:
{} The teru |tarnounltlonrr Bens asmunf.tlon or
aitrtage Eases, prlers, . bullats, or propellant poder
aslgnad for use in anY fltearo.
Een
{B} the tern traror pierctng anunj.tlorf
uay be ud ih
irjecttle or proJacbllc ccte bJ.eh
angun and blch-ls constructed entlrely {exc}.udlng
the lresence of traces of other subetnceg) f,ro one tr
a coblnatlon of tungten aJ.loyer steel, lronr bras,
brcnze. beryltlun copper, or deplete rranLun' such
term does nt laclude shotgun shot reguired y Federal'
sr state envi.ronnental or garne regulatlons for hunti.ng
urposer, a franglble project'lle degfgned for target
hootinE, a projectlle vhlch the ecretary finds is
prlaarlly f.ntenoed t'o be use. fr sportlng-purpose' sr
ny othei proJectsle or proJectile core rhlch the
seretaty itns is ntened to be used for industrial
rurpcsea, includlng a charge used ln an o11 and gae
vell perforatlng devlce.

'j

:
a

:
t

I
f

I
f
I
I

b X6

?r Fl&ltJA {"r

RE?!AC6 rC8 EtTrort WHICH

ffi

X6 )

tv twkfl

H:VtWtH

REVIEVI'EF

7c-^
P?ROVL CLAAAHCE

Etutlf t of !il
t{J t oF

tlq dt*r.tu
^ttl{ot.

t6

torc

llfjs{rt?

rlg tlFftrs

tl - rl*lyltt

RIP

-"{
-z1S U.S.e. ChaFter 4d S 922, ln part, ettes t'f shal1
e unlavful-{l} for any prson-... {B} excePt E
Ilceneed *nporter o llcensgd oanuf,ectutEr to nEage Ln
the buslnesi of inportfng or nanufcturlng anrunitl'on
or ln the sourse oi such buslness, to shlp, transport
or recelvs ry anmunLtlon ln interstate or foreign
cEerge.It

The proJect1ee you proPose to:oanufacure *tou1d et

ttre etlnltlsn oi arounLtion as defined above and lt
uould be neceasary for yu to ba llcersed *s a
naufecturer t rnaka and/or sel1 tbess itens' Bl'lets
{preJeetlles} as a separate lten are ot }-lab}e f,or tbe

excis tax.
l{e trust that the foregoing hag been raaponsLve to yot}
inquiry. If e aT be-f any furtlrer aealetancat
please conac ua'
$incerely Yourst

ls
Enard lil. olen, Jr*
ChJ.ef, Flrearrs llechnology *rnch

g-ooE

rt{rTlATg

flEVIEWER

aEvtEwEa

aEvlEwe

tsYrtswB

*EVlWEf

st R.

iil49

DIg
eFLC.8 to{S ttlorJ{cH
^lrfl6{4.r4

fi8PiOl.DEilC?OVLl{DCLEAFA'C
l

oB$oLT!

rJtJ

tctt*chl 9 m t^5
Lf
of lro'roLlG^aco

a4-&.!

161

**
^lD

RIP

LJ.S.

Depertnaert of Justice

Burcau of l,lcohol, Tobacco,

Firearms and Explosives

l+ladlnurg, rYV 251{5

wwx af.gor

mroso:ffifl
33ur301493

flB

?314

Mr.RabertW. Dlmcn
Executive irector
Commouwealth of Virginia
eprtnerlt of Gre nd krland Fisheics
4010lt Ersad t
P.O. Box 1t104

Rishnond,

V.{ 23?}t-39} 6

earMr. urrcan,

i rcfcreficc to l,otr crespondence to the irector, Breu of .{lcohol, Tobacco,

*rifr
Fircarns and Explosivcs {.TF}, requestiagtlre reau t exept'hon-le
armt$ition used prfunrrily for hunting puposes om the denitio f 'oalor piercing
*fcund in l8 U,$.C. 92}(aXTXE}.* You poiat oul tht
ammrnitiou" {orrlfl{}

'?eerestional hu$ti$g; as well as the sporting rms industry, will be inryarably henned
without this critical exernption." Your letter was forwsdcd for rcaly to the TF
Fiearms ?ecbnolegy Brancb {FfB}, Martinsburg, tlfest Virginia.
This is

To rcvicv your prineipal rgsrerlts, ou state tlut the possible envronmental impact of
lead rscd i rsditioml $portirg rmmunilisn has rrsen s ari iss*e that may impact
hrxrtig recrcation ia a profound way, ,lso, you notc that alttough'qthe scirncebehind
the potential impacts of lcad arposuru m poisoning to $ildtif as a result of ie se in
amrnrutiticn ir still d*veloping, thc rubjeet has spat<cd artianl debde," with Califomia
euacting I ban on the use of led aanunition i ctin rcgions uadcr its jurisdiction urd
othe Stgce considcring imila rcsiction.
dditionlty, yorl stt that while Virginis has *mcdxc plus to stop the use of esd
ammunition beyond whl is crntly mandated far watcrfowt *unting tbe development
and avilbl ofaon-lead ltsrnativ could bccome vcry iportant to both ":hc fu&re
af hunringand thcpcsitive economic inprcts oftb* sport in the Comna\4'eslth" since

t62

RIP

Mr. Robcrt t. Duncan

Page2

more thn 432,000 pcople spead in excess of $8?7 million annually in Virginia. Lck of
clarity regarding how certain non-lcad ammunition inteded fcr hunting purposes might
be clssifid under current APA sttues will deter development of ths ammunition and
lcaye both hunters and the econsmic benehts they provide at risk should lead ammunitisn
be restrictcd in the futurc.

Finally, you ttte that as an agency with rvildtife law enforcemert responsibilitis, ]
appreciate efforts to keep APA out ofthc wmnghand; however, "not allowing non-lcad
lternatives fer hrurting purposcs rould havc very signicant uninteded cons4uences."
For your referrce ir thi ratter, the amended Qun Contro .{ct of 1968 {GCA} 18
U,S.C. $ 921{aX1{}, defines the tsnr 'amrnunition" to ms$: ...smmuntlon or
cafirldge cctes, prtmers, butte, ar prapellant pawer esignedfar rse n nnyf;rearm"
Further, the 6CA, $ 921taXl7){g), defnes "armorpiercing ammunition" as follows:

(r)

ft

a\{jated

prajeetle ar proJectle core wftlch ay be ased ln a handgm and

rsif, 's conslrueted entirely rkdng he presence af traces of other
substances) from oe or a c.cmneton olangten afays, steel, /on,
brsss, brtnze, beryllum eap4e, or drylete*ronum; ar

projeclIe arger ttan .22 elher desgned and ltened

in a hndgun an w&ose jaecet has r weght af more Ihn 13
pernt of the tatat wetght atthe prajectle

l*,

use

Section 921(aX1(C) statss tht tbc tcrm "armar plercl*g ammurtlon" doss ttot
ncfude shotgun shat requred by Federal or State envirnm*lal or gme regxations
huntl*g purpases, agbte pralectte designedtar target shaafing, a praJectle which
the t;tarnty Gener*l Jnds s prtnar lntended t be wed
sgayttt g pulposes, ar dry)
othe prt|$le or praJectlla cor whfeh the ,ttor*ey Sweral Sads ls lntended to be useil
for indastral prryross, ncladng a eharge use n an oI nd gas wel perforatdg

devce.

t
t

t
z
4.

t
t4
1
"

Legisl*tion seeking to reg*late 4P.4. dtes back ta lhe carly 198's. Ultimately, a
defidtioc of nnor percing was daveloped baseil on thc rnanufasture of a projectilc from
seven hard rnetal that eould be used in a handgun. Dwing that period, handguns
chambered for carsidgcs commonly rssocitd {ifh rfles---orsr than large singlc-shot
break-open or bolaction variations*-wers rr. Non-lad ammuiton manufactured
frem P-spccific rnaterils ia calibers and cartidgee av*ilable onlv in rifls rs nt
resuicted s nrrror piaring rmrauaition,
s srnall "Deninget''raodcis chambercd for cartridgcs
such as the 3&30 a*d 45/?0, ss wcll as various high-capacity serniastrtic msdels
basod o* IlCIrd, FL, and R-15 flE drmbrd for cartdgcs likc the
1.67x 39mrn, 7,*2x51308 !ffinchestcr], .223 Remison, aad 5,56 r 43mr:, havc
besame evailabla thus eomplicating the regolution af this issue iu a mamer rnsistent
with the plain langirage sf the A.P statute lhet A,TF is tasked by Congress to nforce.

More recentty, handguns suctt

.:.2

?a

"t
:r

.i

"r,:

163

rur

Mr. Robert t. Duncan

Page 3

The Bursaubas been awre of conce.ms regarding the mstricted use of hunting
ammunition containing lesd in some jurisdictions, and of ammunition manrrfacturers
wishing to produce vsrious nonlead pmjcctiles that could be subject to regulation under
18 U.S.C. $ 921(a)(17)(A) as APA for greral sale. To date, FTB has submitted a
propossl to enable ATF to effectively address these issus. However, tffe re not ee to
comment on specific details pe,nding appropriate review and approval by ATF and
parlent of Justice senior staf.
thank you for your inquiry, regret that it was not expsdited, but trust the foregoing
reque$. If you need further information about this issug or
any other firearms-related matter of a technical nature of concern to Commonwealth of
Virginia eparnent of Game and Inlnd Fisheries, you may write direct to FTB.
1Ve

has been responsive to your

Sinccrely yourq

Chie4

Branch

764

RIF

U.$, Drprrtuent of Justice

Buar of Alcohol, lobacco,
Firermrs and Explosivcs

Marlnsbwg

IfY

25405

www:atf,gov

fEB 1 I t31{

(b

n
t|l

3310r64

eparnert
Stt
1594 WcstNorthTcmple,Srite
P.O. Box 1463S1
Salt

so:ootrElreIl

lke City,lJlth

Resoruces

?l l0

84114

*ffiil,
This is in respoe t yur rsrrespondencc dad September ?, 2t13, io the Bueau of Alcohel,
Tobacco, Fiear$s snd Explosives {Tf}, r.rbch ws farwadd fo t}c ATF Fircarns Technolcgy
Brancb, Maisbrg; ttrest Yrgiai4 for p1y. In ycur letler, yoa ask lht non-lead ammuniticn
desed firid :scd fir hunting wildlifc be cxcmpted om tfue definitign of"amror pierciag
ammunitio$."
Ac specificd in tbe Ge$ Cantrol Act of 196S,
perclng rrlmunten mars rhc following:

t* U.S. Scetio* 921{aXt(B},

rlrc term

ar:ror

..,a pojectlle ar prajcctle core whch my be used h o hndgun anwhch s eonstueted entlrely
{eludng the pressn af traces at olher substances} from ane or a combnaton of t*ngsten aapa,
steet, ron, brans, bratue, eryIliam copper, or depets urannn; or {fi} aI jacleted projectile
Iarger tha* .22 e*liber desgned and ntendedr use id a haagw and whose 'ackct has a weight af
are than 25 perce* of the tatI *eight of the practe. the term "armor piercng ammuniton"
daes not *tclade shtgw shat requrt by Faieral ar Stat enpronental or Eae regutatlarcr

huntng p*pos*s, aftangbfu practlle designedr target shoatlr,g, a prjeetlle whlch the ttorney
Generatfin& ls prmarl lntened ta be tser {pat@ firpass, or any other projeeilIe ar
proJectlle core wheh the traey Gen*afnds Is intsndcd ta be asedfor lndasr,ol ptrposes,
tneludng a ch*ge *a n aa all ard gas weII podoratlng devl,

165

RIP

Page 2

Atthough projectil{s} rrybich the Attorney General fids are primarily intended to be used for
sporting purposes do not mcet the definition of armor piercing ammunition, these slssificstions cre
nece*sarily made on a case'by-casc basis nd usualty involve a single cartridge or projcctile.
Accordinglyl 'rve re uable to exempt all non{ead ammunition designed and used for hunting
uildlife from tlre definition of *arnr piercing ammunitict"
We thank you for your inquiry, regrt tbst rtr respersc could nol bc more favorable, but trust the
foregoing has been responsve.

twret
t4Earl riflbh

Chief, Firearms Tcchnolagr Braneb

166

RIP

.S, Dcprr{nent of Jnrcc

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Fiearrs urd Explosivcs

Firerm* Technologl Brsnch

of Tchnlctl Errnlnffcn
214

Nccdy Rord

Mardurburg,

\w

2540f

Phonc:30&t643{}$
Fr: 30,1-616{tl}l

Drre: Aft 061$l{

To:

Spcciale.t@

Bucu of lcclol, Tobac, Firearmr and Exploslvee

20 Granby Strscf Suitc 339

Nsrfolk, Virginia

235 10

UI#:

76825-1+0033

IE:

?A Shipment

FTB#:

2014-196ry

yPe

Dtr Exhlblb ec*lvtd:

Clssifiction

?981C49803?3

5lbit;

2.

Five 5"45mm ealibcr gojectil {suspected ror'$iersigamrunition).

Perdent Authorltv;
*msunition'' to men " .,,ammu.tllloa sr

Tlre amndod Gn Control st sf 1968 {GCA} defirts th tcmn

cartrdge cses, pmers, btItr;tc, er propeltant pawer e$gxer
{See

t8

te *s

anyfrearm-"

LJ.$.C. S 921(rX17X.t}.}

,{.lso, rhc

G{4,

18 U"S,C, $

92l(rXlTXg},

defiaes the tcrm

oarnorpiacing amanmition" tc me*-

praJectlle or praJecttle core whleh may be ted l* a ndgxn an,hlch tE constntete entrll
{excfxW the presenee oftraces ofother srbstancr.s}from ofic o? aombnalon oftufiEsten
aloys, steel lron, brass, bronte, beryIlium copper, ar depteted aranum; r

tt)

#t)

afallekstz prajectte lerger han .22 callber de*gaed * tntenedr use n a handgun an
whoseJaeftet has a z*eght of *are than 25 percent af the tatsl *eght of the prajeetite.

STndlne

Exhibit 2 corsists of fiv 5.45mn caltbar proJectiles

lha rre suspectcd of meaing the

defnition of o'fir

the af thc *ubjec{ yrojectiles

and dstilEied fht

piereing amrnurdtor:" (see rcbment for photos)'

Ueing r propane tsch,

ba*sa*i

and pliers, I dissccd

plug stcel corc, alrd stl joekq thssfor, the submittd amnrmition is olassicd ae
rey b*airi
pr l8 U,S.C. * 921{X1?XBX}, because il eontains a tccl corc asd rnybc
*nmunitor"
"armorpicrcitg
tued ia handgn {gee attshmnt forhotos}.
a lead

ATFFors

3311.2

friscdfu2ff1

t67

RIP

Special Agent

?68025.14-tr133

rrGt

zot+-tg6ry

Prge62
Armor pierc{ag swnunition b cn*idered noa-rporting and crnnot be imported nless it is fortrse by te
{Jnted Statss, try department ar agercy afthe Unlled States, any State, ar any depa,rlmenl, agerrsl. ar
poltical subdvlcon af a Stete,

Coaclulonr:
Exhibit 2 is "srurunition" ss dered in l8 U-S.C.921(s[t?)t).

pbibit 2 contaicrs a std corc rnd may be used in a handg$ni thersfor, it is "umor piercing ammunition"
as de&td in l8 U.S.C.92l{sxt4{B}.

pprovrdby:

( t5 X i-oj )

frffi C

srrffilh
Chic{, Firs$nrs Tcclmclogr Brancb

Firearms Enfoternnt ffi ser

ttachmot nc pagc bearing four photos.

ATFfos!

3311.2

Raicdlus25

168

RIP

lead
ribt 2 prolectiles

Steel case
Steel core

o\
\o

U.S. cpartment of Justice

Bureau of Aleohol, Tobaeco,
Firearms and Explosives

llartnsb*s. t'Y

l5ltt

:vnw.lti.gov

soroto:1ffi[
JUL

G ?II

33

I r j302524

@
Mark Brncs & ssciates
1350 I Stree!NW, Suite 260
Washingtax, C 2S5

ear

t{ixtl

This is in r*ferencs * your eorespndence snd samples sent tc the ureau of icohol,
Tobncc, Firearms aad Explosives {TF}, Firearms Technolcgy Indusry Services
Branch {FTIS) reuesting the ureau to exemine what is dascribed *s'reK[
metal projectiles". Ysr rculd like FTISB lo evaluate tha subrsitted infarmation and
samples and determine whethcr lhis ammunitian would be classied as '*armor piercing
amrnenition" ss dened by tB U.S.C. $ g2ltaXl?XB).

fsffifl

prtprittryprojectiles

ae described as fiotlows:

Tntended ae be manufacf$red in calibers

I

GESI)

Irtend*d to bs a repla*ement
reduce ricoehet properties to tbe operational envionment.

re

The mixed rraterial is

The core hs
resulting in e

*d

projectile cores r gherally composed

mixed with * bi*der of

170

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ICI)

Page 2

The projectite is stated to be designed for hunting p$rposes to penetrte soft tissuc
and agment after entry, when hitting a hard surface such as a bulletproof vest it
disintegmtes upon contact without penstrting the vest.
The compressed projectile cor is placed into a standard
have
and diameters, the
From there

jacket ofvarious

For your reference in this matler, tle mended Gun Csntrai,{et of 1968 {GCA}, t8
U.S.C. $ 92l(a){l?}(.}, defines thc term "amrnunitios" to ean: .^qmnwnition or
earlrdge cases, primers, bllels, ar propellan powder esigtrcfor use in ny.firearm.
Further, the C-{,, $ 9?l{aX?XB), de$aes "rnor picrcing amn:unitisn" as folls#s:

{}

* prajecte r prejectile eorc which m*y be ase a * hangun and

r+lieJ is caxstructed eiltirely {excuing the presznee aflraces atolher
substances)frar* afie or a trbinaan of tungsten llays, steel, iron,
btass, branze, beryllium eopqer, ar depeted tlraniu; ar

(i4

afu{l jackete projectte larger t*an .22 cliher desgne and fitene
r usl- in a ltar,dgtm an whoseiackel 4. a weg*t of more then 23
percent af the tal wegltt af t praiectle.

Sectio 921(aX?XC) sttes lhtth term "qrttsr plereirg aual;l.niton" does not
lnc/;ue szotgu* s*at reEtlred by Federal ar State envroxmenlal r gorrre regulatonsfor
huntng purposes, a frangble prajectle estgned r larget shoatitzg, a prajectle xthclr
the .ttaraey GeneratJnds ls prlmarily ntened tc be sedr sporling purposes, or *nY
alher praleerile sr praJectle core wheh the ,4ttorcey Genera Snds is inlended tc be use
r n*stral parposes, ineladdg s charge used ln a* al an gas well perratng
devxe.
goncem ls
clieat, Slrategic Armory Corps, LLC'I {S,{C's}
that
gcle
t*
as an rm{}fcause the
binder in
piereing pmjeetile under the C.4. further it is your belief that based on its performance
shauld nsi beclssi*ed as APrndertheCCA,
charaeteristics,
even thoug thepr{eetilcs core is manufactured partially

Yau indicate tht

th*lffL

*amffifi.

To revierry your principat rguments, ytu state hat both $.C and Mark 3rnes
Associates do nstbelieve the compositior of this projectile, wtrich includ"e@fl
should be classified as AP. Furlher, you reference 1
which
certai types af *mmunition such as sbotgun shot
lists
E.s.a $ *zt(axl?xc
environmental
or game regrlatisns forhnting purposes, or
State
Federal
ar
by
required
any prcjectite or projectilr corc whieh tfte Attarney Crerl nds is primarily intended
for spo*ing purposes may be excluded *om thc definitiorr of FA.

171

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Page 3

yourbeliefthut'@

is captured under an
Finally, you stte that it is
exemptiot to the definition of armor-piercing ammunition, in that it is primarily intended
to bc used for sporting purposes, including target shooting.

S*mple

torg)

FTISB's iniial examirlation af the submitted

be assembled with

boxes

ffi

with packnglng.

to

found the
were

wr

u:rmarked cardboard

While the GCA, Seetion 921{a}(17}{C) does provide *r*t the tenn "armor piercing
ammunition" does not include "d frangble praiectle esaed {ar target shooting." ar
"a pra.fectle whc tke .torney Generalfint ls Ptrrttv inevded to be
sportlng lnrroses." FTIS notcs lhst *imilar projectiles containing copperltung*en
powder, intended fcr antiersonnel use, are kt*wr: to exist.
. U:ited States epar*nent of the Navy Budget ltem Juslicatisn Sheet dated June 2001
lists the fotlowing deseription for 5.56mm Jacketed Frangible {ODIC .4}

arnmunition:

"The Csrtridge, S.S6mmJacketeil Frangble {f.C 49} is ntendedfor xse agclti

Wj1lrat ealatercl ama?e. I s intended to pe#elrte soJt targen wth fhe
proJeceie breaking up an hard targets. he lC '44 eenssts ata brass ca*ridge
case, a primer and prapellanl composIien. The Jaekete Frengb(e cartrdge contaitts s
ttol-tsxic, ea?pe, t*geten pawder antt nylen bnder designc to elmnale arbarne lecd

personel

172

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Hre

Page 4

dspasal. The copper allay iacket ellmlnslea barrel aling and gas
and aancerns
cutting ino barel and the double bse propellant s clean burning."

Prior to issuing a determination or the submitted *angible ammnition, FTIS lvill

require sufficient documentation ta establish that the projectiles *ere originally either
*desigred for trget shoatingl'or "primarily intended to be wed for sparting purposes" il
order to merit consideraticn for an exemption uuder Sestion 92ltaX(C).
lVe thk you for your inquiry, regret that it was not expedit*d, but trust the foregoing
has been responsive to your reguest.
Sincerely yours,

bt D

Industry Services Banch

eting Chie{,

t73

RTP

U.S.

Dcp*tment of Justlce

Bureau of lcohol, Tobacco,

Firearms and Expl*sives

11 tusbwg.

x**

lj Y

lt1|s

ufgov

loloto:ffifl
33 11302583

0cT 3

(b

X6

I ?$14

50Hilron St
Easton,

f8642-7391

eatGWI,
Thls refc ts youreltronic corrcryondenc t ficrms aad Explosivcs Imports Brnch
(FEIBI, 8uru of lcolrol, Tobcct, Fisnnr aad Explosives (TF), sceking guidance
on the importability of 30-6 M2 caliber munitioa whieh Fssssses a steal c+re.

$pecificaliy, you wish to kor fthe above notd rnmr$itiar wotld bc slssified s
ormorpiercing. Furthcr, you re rquesting if there ar*'?egtrletio*s thst ban cther 30-S6
FA*. Your inguily ''s forwrded to lhc Firearms Technolegy Industry ervices Branch
(FITSF) for resporsa
.{s you rs 1vars tS .3.C. 93t{aXl?XB} dence "rrmar pitrciug lmmunition" as:

{i} r prcjectile or pmjeaile care ry}ich mry bc used n a irandgu* ar ich

is constneted catircly {axcluding the Frsence of 8*c8 ofothssrbstances}
om one or a cembinatiol of turgsten alloys, steel, iro& hrsss, bronze,
beryllium coFper, or depletd urenu$; or

{} a full jackcted prajactile larger lhan .?2 cnliba designed and

interided for rc n a handgrrn and whosc jacka has a weiglrt ofmore than 25
prst of the tctel wsighl of lhe pmjcctile.

Alss, l8 U.S.C. 922{eX?} ond {3}

states tha!

it shall be unlaful for:

t?) far sy prsn tc r*enufchre or import armor piercng ammunition axcpt

t74

Rtp

?a$e2

fflro)
that this pragph shall not apply to

the rnanufacture or importation of such ammunition for the ss of the

United States or any departmrt or gency theresf or any State or ny
department, sgsncyr or political subdivision thereof;

{A}

(B) the mansfacnre af such amrnunition for the purpose of exportation; and
{C} any manufactrurs or impo*ation for thc purpffs of testing or experimentation
authorized by the Se*c{ary;
(8) for any manufctuer or importer to sell or deliver armcr piereing
ammsnition, except lhat this p*agraph slall rot apply to'
(A) the sale or dclivery by a manufactursr sr importx of such arntnsition
for use of the United $tates or any departrncnt or agcncy thereof or ry State
or nny department, agery, or polilical subdivision tlrerest

(B) the sale $r delivery by a manufacturer sr importer of such anmunition

for the purposc ofcxportation;
(C) thc mle or delivery by a manufacturer or importcr sf such mmsrition
fcr the purpss of tcsting or experimenting authorized by thc Secretary..,
rcspect to thc prohibitions imposed upor rnanufacre, impertatior" rnd lransfer
armor pircing rrnunition in I8 u.s.c. 922{ax?} rrd {8}, please note that armar

l{ith

ef

piereing rmrnuaition includes thc follou'ing {as cited in pp, 166.6?n Fcderal Firearms
Rcgulatlons Refcreree Guide, ?0t5 editinn):

KTIV MMU'NI?[N, ttt catibers. Identificdby

gteerr coating on ihe

projectile.

RCH! MMLJNITION, *ll catibers- ldentified by a pointed brone or brass

projectile.

TIMML,ILINITION" all calibers. ldentifid by s brass or bronze pujectile

a hcad stsmp cillaining lhe leHers SFM and THY.

TZECHOSLOVKIN manufactursd tmrt Pabellum {Luger} cmmuriiticn having *:r

iron or stsel hllct core, Idertifed by r cuproniekel jacket and s hed stamp cantaining a
triangle, sls, sad dates cf 49, 50, 51, or 52. This bulla is atractgd to a magnet'
GERMAN mqnufacturd 9mm Prabellum {Luger} havingrn iron cr steel bullet
core. riginel peckaging is maked Pistolenpaboner 08 m.E. Moy have black
cclored butlet. This butlet s attrc'tcd to r *tgnet.

175

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Page 3

MSC A.IMUNI?ION, caliber .25. Identified by a hollow pointbrass bullet.

NTE: MSC ammunition, caliber .25 identificd by a hollow poinl coppcr bullet
is not armorpiercing.

BLACK STEEL.dRMOR FIERCING AMMINITIN, r1l crtibers,

as

produccd by

National Certridge, .tlsnt, Georgia.

BLACK STEEL METAL PIERCING AMMUNITION, ll clibe,

as produeed

by

National Csrtridge, Atlanta, Georgia.

?.62mm NTO AP, identifed by black coloriag in the bullct tip. This
ammuniticn is rsd by various }ATO countries. The U.S. rnilitary designation is
M6I AP.
?.62mm NATO SLAP. ldentied by projec*ile having a plastie sabot around a
hard penetrator. Thc geneator protrudec sbovs the sabot and is similar in
appearancc ta e Remingon rccelerator cartridge.

PMC ILTR.MS, ,38 Special calibcr, constttd tirey ef abrass t'pe

material, end a pl*stic push* disc loeated at lhe bse of the prcjectilc'
NOTE: PMC ULTRJ\M,{C 38, lt froductisn rnade of copper with lcad alloy projectile
is not armor piercing.

OMNISHOCK. A ,38 Special cartridge with a lead bullct ccntaining a mild steel core
with flattcned hsad remblinga wd cutter.
NOTE: OMNISIICK carlridges hrving abullet with an aluminum core rc not rmor
piercing.
?.62r39mm with stsel core. Thesc projectiles have a stel ctse.
NOTE: Psajectiles having a lead corc witt sleel jackct cr

seel case

ate not ror

piercing.

Exemnsn*: Thefclto*tag utcles are *eptcfrom

plcrc lrg an m v 1Js '|*

tk

detidfott f $ttnrcr

5.56 mrn {.??3} SS t S9 and M855 mmunition, identified by a grecn soating on the

projectilt tip.
U,S. ,3-06

MIA?.

identfied bv

bhck csrtre

on fhe ofslectile

d.

ttritt

regard to wha regulations regrlatc APA; 18 U.S.C. 9z1{rXlTXB) defines "anuor

pierc*g rmmu*ti*n". further, 18 lt.S.C. 922(eX?l and {S} dclincate thc prohbitions
imposcd upcn re ma*ufacture, imponaticr and transferof armor picrciag a*rmrnition.

176

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Page 4

Please note, U.S, .30-6 M2AP, which is identified by a black coatifig n thc projcctilc
tip; is cxcmpted from the "armor piercing ammunition" definition ss dsfined in l8 U.S.C.

9tl{axlTXB}. Thc impartaticn rnd sal of 30-06 MzP cliber

would not be violatioa of Federal Law.

steel eore ammunition

To reiterte, any 30-6 cliber mmuation (30-06 M2AP exrmptcd), which is

constructcd cntircly (excluding the prcscnce oftraces ofotler substnces) ftcm one or a
combination oftungsten dloys, steel, iron, brass, bronzc, beryllium cpper, or dlctcd
ursnium steel coe cr wbose jnckel has a weight of more than 25 perccnt of thc *otsl
weigt of the prje$ilc; would be classified as "armor piercing amr:ounition" as defind

n t8 U.S.C. 92t(aXl?XE).
further, this te of ar*munitiaa would bc subjcct to ll restctions regarding the
manufacture, importation and ssle of "armorpiercing amrnunitior" noted in l8 U-S.C.
922(al(71and (8), unless it is found by the Attomey Genc'ret to be uscd primarily far
sporling or industril purposs.
lVe thanlc you for your inquiry ad tut the foregoinghas been respansiv to yssr
requost.

Ifwe ca*

be

cfany fi$th*r assistancc' plcase contac! us'

b X6

ding Chief- Firearms Technology Industry Services Brnch

t77

RIP

U.S. Department of Justicc

Bureau of Alcshol, Tobacco,

Firearms and Explosives

Martinsburg, WV 254ts

w*

,v.tf.gov

970t {GTTGT]

fEB

?015

33 t 113S2?59

@
]Fsdemrmslnteraationai
2260t N. l?th Avelue, Suite i8
Phosnix,

AZ *5*27

D*u'lK[,
This is in response ta yrur inquiry to the Bureau cf lcohol, Tcbacco, Fireartns and Erplasives
(ATf1, Firearm* Tecl*olagy tndustry Services Branch {FTISB}. b: your e*r*spaadence yot state
that your cnpany has been csntrald to design and manufasture 'rmr:r ?iereing A.mmunition
and a
iAP) ammur,ition in ,338 Lapua caliber that is constr$cted uilizing
per
regulations'
Federal
as
classification
you
to
its
sk claricatin
and
Your specific qr*estiu:s are paraphased ancl nswere'd {belaw}'

aGKL

achinedftffi[,

As you may bc awarq the Gun Control.ct {GCAi, l8 U.S.C. $ 921(a{l?}' denes the terms

rsmunitiort' and ff lrmr plerclng ammunitiont s follos:

"tl?) t) The tent "arlt,$ntin" fiiean ammtntcn or cartrige ccses, prmers, baIets, or
propetant pawer desgner use lx anyfirearm"'
"(B) The ter*t "crtarl? pzrcixg awms*ton" means* {i} a pra*ile ot praiealile eore wh9h msv be
used n a han,n axwhch s enstructed e*tirety {exchding the presente af tr*ees af o1}rer
t"ttto"eelrin oue cr d combnaan of t*ngsten aloys, sleel, lrn, brss, brawe, beryum
capper, or'du"trd t ran*m; or (ii) aful jackeletl prjectile larger thatt .22 lber designed and
niindedfar ise n s hangtn n whosejacke kas a weght a{more tha* 25 pereent af the totat
weight af tke praJeetle"
The term "rtar pereing anrmunton" does not incluie sttlgun shaf required by Federa or
{C)
'Sicte
envronental ar gami regxletansfar hunlng purposes, afrangibtz praieclie esignedfar
target shootng, a prajeitte which *e uorney Gentralfinds is pyltarily inreNe to be rcetar
sprtng purpases, tr fty ether prcjeclile ar projectle care whch tke $arn*y Ge*eralS.rds is

178

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Page 2

intended ta be usedr ndustrlat p?pase4 ncluding a charge used n an al an gas welt

perralng devee."

Q:

Has lhere been a psto| mede in .338 Lapua calber?

According to FTISB resesrch, the prcjectiles in qlticn re not designed or intended far use in
handgun, and FTISB is not presently arvare of ry coar:mercially produced handguns in .338 calibsr.

Q: If no, wuld t be regerded

P te rci ng amrnrnl

as stndard ammunitott axd not defined or regated as

tittt?

'4rnor

Al

ceordiagly, the .338 caliber prajectiles thet you dsssribe da nsJ constitute "rmor piercirtg
ammunitian" as defind above, nnd no authorization under Z?CFR $ 4?8.149 is necessary. The
projectiles 6r'*mmu*itio" as defi ned above.

Q: ffould we *ave
P ammunitcn?

ta

ltow the same record keeplxg reqairements

as are required wth regldate

You wauld be required te comply rrith rscsd keeping requirernerts fcr "mlnrnition'n, not
'*armor picrciag arnmunition" {t4.P}.

A:

9:

Could tt be lransferre wthaut EiITF appravatT

be sold or lrarsfened as any cther non-aror piercing amuritic*.

llcrtever, re cution thai ,FA is nol dependent on evaluatioa by A?F. Shotld lhe maket producc
pistol chambsred in .338 Lapua caliber, yo$r rnrnuition would utomaticallvbecome 3.
Therefote; il i* incumbst upon lhe ranufacturer to be ware cf the xistenc or creation of such

"A: ceordinglg it wauld

fiearms.

Sincerely y*urs,

ffi"'#

thief, Firenns Technolagy - Industry

t79

Serviees Braneh

RIP

U.S. Department of Justice

Bureau of Aleohol, Tobacco,
Firearms and Explosives
Firearms Techna logt lndrrstry,9ervdces B ranch
Itartinsbury, llIs
ur*w.otf-gov

90?01

tt3 ? ? ?t15

OWD

33t1i382832

@
Cutfing Edge Bullats
?5 Basin Run Raad

P.t. Box 248

rifting Penn*ylvania I 6834

DearIIIGII:
This is in response to your eorrespo*denee to the Bureau of Alcohsl, Tobacco, Firearms end
Explosives (TF), Firearms Tecka*logy Indu$ry Services Branch (FTISB), regarding armar
piercing ammunition {or "3,{}. You have requested cladcation and guidance pertaining to
mmufacturing .3 3 E Lapua galiber P projectilrs
Specicall you wish to nufac*re .338
for sale to the .S. ,rmy, per s*licitnticn number
d*velopment anbehalf

dditionally, you ir:dic*te that yaur cornpny has a Type 06 edcrsl Firearns License,
Firears. You go on ask whefher your company needs to
Manufacturer af
'4mw*tanlor
obtain a Trpe l$ Federal Firearms License, Mantcturer af estrxctve evlees, mmunilon
far eslruclve llevices sr.,4rmar Percng Ammunion.
s you maybe wre, ths Cua Certrol Aet {GC,A.}, 18 U.S.C. $ 921{sxl?}, defres fbe trms
"ammunition" d "rmr piercing ammunilion" as follows:

"$7) {) ?he term oattm*nloa" $es camunitan or earrdge

prapellant powder desigder use in anyfrearm."

cases, prmers, bttltes,

ar

"{B} The term "rfir piercing ammanilion't means- {i} a prajectile ar prajectle cre whch
may be usd a handg and whcit s cowtnted efttircty (exctxdg the presexce of traces
alher s*bsta*ces)!"am cfte r call,bination af twgsten alloys, steel, ran, brass, bronze,

af

beryllium cpper, ar epleted urr'am; or (ij a lliacketed prajectile larger t**n .22 caliber

180

RIP

-2-

@E
designed and ntended far use fu a handgtu and whase jackei has a weghl of mare lhan 25
percent of the tala welght af the praiectite.

{C) The term "armar percltrg antmtntion" does not inelue s*elgr sltt requred by Federal ar
State envrat*teatal at g*me regatans far huntng Furposes, afrangble prajectie desgned
r target shoati*g, a prajectile wheh the.{ltomey General$nds ls prmarily intended to be
usedfar spartng purposes, r cny ather prajectle ar prajectile eore whlch lhe ttorney General
fnds rs lnterded ta be used r tnd*strlal pu,poses, ilrc/rrdfng a charge used itt an oil and g*s
wetrl

perrating devce.

"

According to FTISB researeh, the projectiles in questi*n ae aot designed or intended for sse in a
handgun, and FTISB is not awre af any commercially-produeed handguns in.338 Lapua
caliber. ccordi*gly, the .33S Lapua P projectilcs in questicn dc gg! constitute "tmr
piercing arnmunition" as defined above, and no sutlcrizaticn under2TCFR $ 4?8.149 is
necessary.
Thesc particular prcjectiies may be ma$ufel$red using yeur current TlTe 6 Fcderal Firearrns
License, Mantlfnetwer of*m*untianfor Firearms,' as projecliles desigrred for use in a firean*,
they are "s$murdtion" as defined bovs. Yau da nct need 1o obtin a Type 10 Federl Firear:ns
License to rnanufacture th$e particular projeetiles.

However, we cautios that P is not dependent an evaluatior: by ?F. Should the market
produce a traadgr:n chembered in .338 Lapua oaliber, the subject projectilx would automatic*lly
become,4,PA. Therefo, it is incumbent upon tlre ammunition rnan$faeturer to be aware af the
existence or creatio* of such frearms.
lVe trust that the foregoing has been rcsponsive to your inquiry, If we may be of any frrther
assistance, please canaet us.

Sincerely yaurs,

b X6 )

Michael R. Cu*is
,cling Cie{ Firearms Technclagy Industry Serrices Branch

181

RTP

U.S. Department of Justlce

Bureau of lcahol, Tob*cco,
Firearr*s and xplosiv
F r ea rw s Tec*n
lla,trbsrz.

agt

hrd u s t,y Sen'l'ces

I ra n ch

lY

wwF.atl.gY

90?010w
Jt

ft

1.S r0l5

33 I

i3t28?5

@
FFL Ssard
244 F*h Avecue, Suite 196

New York, New Ysrk It01

"*IWL,
This fers to yorr corrspondencc to thc Bureu of leohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives
{ATF}, Firenrms ?echnology }ndustry Services Brench {FTISB} received on Hsvember 6, ?$14.

ln the submitted dacumentalicn, you stats thst you represent CERADINE. lrrc.,

subsidiary

of

3M Company and rcquest an exemption to obtaia r*mor-pierciag ammunition tAP}

As yeu m*y know, the Gun Canhal Act {OC}, 18 J.S.C. $92{aX1?}{A}, defines
"srnmunition" as mannifon ar eartrge cas*s, prmers, flefs, or propellnt powder
desgnedr use n aryJirearm.

Also, the CC, l8 U.S.C. $ 921{aXl?XB}, defines rmsr pierclng ammunitlon" as;

{i}

prajectle or prajeetiie care whch may be used n a hoddgzur atd whch ls co::trted
enrrey {excludirg the presenee *f traces alather subslanees} from @te ar a cambinatin
af tttngsten altays, steel, rcn, brss, brotze, beryllium cepper, ar depteted uranium: er

{ii} *lI jaclceted prejectile

lwndgzt

arger than .22 caber 4esgned and ntendedr use in

and whoseJhet hss e weght af more than 25 percent af the tot weght af the

prajeetle.

{C) The erlr* "arur pfurcng tamtunod" oes ns nelvde shatgun drt regured by Feeral
or Stcte etwirenmental or game regulatonsfor h*tlttg purpos*, afraugibe proJeclle desgned
lrget skaong, s prejectie whch the ttarney GeneratSrds is primadly inlended tu be
ptvposes, or rny elher prajecile or pr*jeelile care whieh the ttorney eneral
ntended
ta
be *sedfar lndustrial purVaces, ixcairg a c*arge we in an ot and gas
ds
/r"rds

usedr sportng

well perra ting devee.

182

RIP

a-

Furthermore,2? CFR 4?8,149 Armor plerclng emmunltio* manufactured or lmported for

the purposc of testirg or rprlent&tion, states the following:

suci auihrizcton to rcceive *rmor percing arnilior ll,ll snbmit a

dxpicte to tle reclor, Such *pplfcaton shall canitt he tme nd
addresses afthe persens dlrecting ar contrallng, diree or indreely, lh* paliees ord
magemeill af te ppliea*t, the nture ar P,,rpe af the lesing or *perimentatan, a
descrplion af the armar piere*g ammtmilon to be reteved, and the identty af e
mautctrrer ar imparerfrom whsm $$h anmunitian k ta he received. The apprcved
applicatox slzell be su*mted ta t*e mantfaclurer t mparler wha shatl retan a capy as part af
..,,4 person deslrirrg

letter appcatisr,

lte recards requred by subpart

l ofthis

parf.

We rcgret lhat Tpithut the required doeumentalion listed above, we are unbls to adress your
req$est at thic ti*e.
In response tc *:e stateent irr yo*r correspondence lhat there is a question ctrntly pcnding
and unrcsoived withi* the Suseau's Fireans Industry Programs Branch rvhether ?.62x39mm
ammunitisn is stso cansidered stol or handgun ammunition"; lhere ir nq df$tion far'istol
or handgun *nrnuntion'ia the CCA. Furthermare, FTISB has previously indicated to your firm
(see letter date January 2?, 2$15, 3027t5) tbat 7.62 x 39mm caliber hurdgun* exist and thus the
manufact!re sf ?.62 x 39mm ermcrpiercing ammunition (AP) as dsftned in l8 U.S.C. $
921{a[l {gi{i{ii} i* generlly Frchibited unless the maker pssesses a Type l$ Federal
Firerms License {FFL} and fcllsws alt Federsl reg$ations pertaining tc the marking and
dishibutisn ef such ammuaition.
'Wc regret *rat wc wsra r::r*ble tc address your reqrest; however. rvs lask fontrard to completing
this request oncs the dtails havc been provided,

If you have any furthcr questicns you my ctntot

Sincerely

us 8t any

tima

yeurs.

cting Chief, Firearms Teshology lrdustry Services Branch

183

RIP

U.S. Ilepartment sf Justice

]ureau of Alcohol, Tobaccq

Firearms and xplosivcs

llrrrJliltltrilS.

tl'l'

t31fi5

uuru"atl.gov

oroto,ffi[
pR

???*lS

331113036?

BCN Tecl:ical Services, lnc.

1004 E. Stete Street
Hastings, Michiga* 49058

"*Gffiil,
This is in response l y$r correspondence ts the Butsau cf Alc*hel. Tobacec, Firerms
and xplosives {ATF}, in which you requested En cxemption tt the clsification and
regulation of amrnu*itio4, yr stat6; is,q,rmorJiercing.{mmuai:ion (AP} ycur
company has nranufactured and is pla:rning to further man*factsre- Your letter was
forn arded to th Firsa*s Technology tadusky Sesices Branch {FT[SB} far reply.
As baekground to your reqgstr th Gun Control Act {tCA}, l8 U.S.C. $ 931{aXl?XB},
defines the terr "armr plerctng ammuxltion [A]J" as*

(i)

a praleetile ar praleclile core *ith may be xsed in a haxdgutz snd w&fcl: fs

ionsfructed entirely {*eluding the presence af lraces of ater sxbst*xees} {ron ane r a
eombtnatoa a{f$t gsten alloys, stei, ror, brdss, bronze, beryl[ixm Pper, or depleled
aranum; or

$f) all jacrete prajectte arger than .Lcsliber

handg,n- *dd whase Jacket has a wetght ef mare than

prajecte.

deslgned *nd ntender rce ln

percent af the talal weght lhe

25

flease be ware, the GC*', 1g ,J.S.C. $ 922{a)t?}, states lhat t stcll be x*awlr *ny
parcgrapfu shal! *at apply to'
:ersxn ta mant{aclare ar lpar PA, except that this
the marlueture or rnportatian ef such ammuntaxr tftease ottlze Uxted
departnel* w ageney thereafor any Stdle or nY departmen| sgncY, ol
po.ilical subivsian there*f;

{r4}

States or a*y

{B}

tl mcntcture af s*ch ammuniion

sr

184

the

purpose af exporteton:

or

RIP

Page 2

(C)

mamtcture ar mporlaiian af such ammunton sfor lhe p*rpasc af lesting

ar expetnentotn and *as been asthorzed by the "4,ttorneit General....
the

You stte this PA will be marufactured in BCN cantrolled facilities for tte sole
purposes of providing proof of concapt o potential purchasers of your ammudtion
rnaufacturi*g machinery. Basically, y$u are formally requesting APA manufactured in
your facility to be exempt from 2? CFR 478.92 {bXl}-Marfc'rf ef '4rmar Piercng
mmuntiotr and be exempt from being classifred ss PA as dcliaed in l8 U.S.C. 921
based an exemptions founil in 2? CFR 478.148 and 4?8'149. You fu*her
inquire if a T1e l0 Federal Firecrms License is required to manufacture.4P, with or
without yqur rqlestd exemption granted,

(aitl7[A);

Specifically, ysu ars requesting that steel core AFA amrnu:ition, of uaknown celibers
and quantities; which is prodaced for demsnstrational quality control purposes for
potential ammunitian manufact{ring custrrers; be exempt frarn federslly m*ndated
marking requireme*ts.

You are requesting this P. not be required to be dsstied by means of pniating,

staining or dying the exterisr of the grojectile with an opaque black caloring and as a
uFR COVFRI'MEI'ITL ENTIT:S
rcsult; not marki*g *RMGR PIACING" and
packaging.
on
subsequenf
O].LY.
OR )(PORTTICIN
Based on the infornratin yru have provided, FTISB finds that ycur submitted plan for
testinglevaluating PA fails to comply with 2? CFR 4?8. 148 and 4?8.149 and tht an
exceptrn under l8 U,S.C. 922{aX?} is not authorized. Atsr evaluating yo*r request
its cntirety, it is }:ereby dsxied.

it

By way of explaining our decision, eference is made to 2? CFR 4?8.?2, which states:
(a) Alternate ethads

ar praeedures. The lieensee, on spec apprva by the rectcr

as provided ln this paragraph, $ay use an slternate metltr:, arproeeare leu af a

tflelhod of Froeedure speclfreally prestribed ln this part. The lrecfer ?fiy apprr n
aeute method ar praceure, ettbiect ta Ets.ted eor,dions, when t s*zd that:

$)

Goo ease f soltt

lhe

use

of the lternate metha ot procedure;

The atterxale #et*o ar praced*re s wjlfn t*e purpase af,, an causatent wth the
elfe intended by, the specisc*lly prescribed method or prccedttre and that tke atternsle
methad ar procedare is sslantla lly equvatent to lhat spee$cetly prcrbe methad or
proced*e; cnd

{2)

{3} |'he alternste ntethod or prccedure will nal be contrary ta any provisiott af taw axd
wlt not resyll n s* lncrease n cosl lo the Governtnent ar hwler the eletve
adrninistration af ths part,

18s

RIP

Page 3

The proposed altemate marking procedure, spccifically nq! tpplying the opaque black
coloring and pakaging the subject ammunition with a package label mefked 'ARMOR
PIERCING" "FOR EXPORTTION ONLY*, is not within the intent, nor is it
substantially equivalent to the reguirements of 27 CFR 4?8.92{b}'

The intent of thc opaque black coloring and "Armor Piercing" labeling is to elcarly
distinguish alrnor piefciltg (AF) ammunition om non AP ammunition. Filur to apply
the opaque black coloring snd labeling requirements prevnts P ammunition *om being
cleerly distinguished *sm non P ammunition, Failure to clearly distinguish betrryeen
AP ammunirion and *sn.{P affiunitio will hinder ATF's ebility to dtct ths ulawfil
importatioa, manufcture, ssle cr transfer ef F ammunitior, patentially endrngering the
lives of lalv enforcement of6cers.
The effect of granting your request will rcsult in an increased cost a the Gevernment nd
will hintler elctive ad:rinistration of the Federal firearms Iaws a*d regulatons. As
there is no reg*latory rcquirement to segregate AP ammunifior &om nac ,{F
ammunitian, failure to praperly mark AP ammunition r*ill led tc additional hours spent
on compliance lnspeetions to inventory tlre ammunition an verifu rrcords of salas or
other dispositions.
Regarding licensing tc tawfully mnufacture P BCN would be required to cbtain a
Type l0 Federal Firer.rns Licnss {FL} Mdnufacturer f structYe evces,
niirmunitonr esructve wices ar rmor Pierciag,4*tn**:Tdoa pricr to any firrth$
marufctufit:g ef .4. Type t6 FFL Ma *cturer of ,4,mmttnlton r Firearms {other
than ammunltaxr destwetve devlces or P) is required manufacfure ammunition.

Wc thank you for your inqury and trust that the foregoing 1r becn resportsive to your
reqilsst. Ifwe can fue cf any rtlrer arsistance, please contaet us'

f$

Sincerely yours,

[irE
Serviees 3rrch

,cting Chisf, Firearrs

186

RIP

U.S" Departnent of Justce

Bureau cf Alcohol, Tobaccc.
Firearms and Explosives

llartlnsbuy..

lttt rtlll|

w*w.ltf,gr:v

eozoto:ff[
AUC

ri

331 t 13031?8

?'f 3

@
ATF Investigeror{lI}
201 3 Vashington Street, Suite 940
Phoenix, fuiz*na 85012

Investigatoi$ffi
This refcrs lo your conespondence and srbmisin t the trear of Alcohol, Tobaccq Firearms
and Explasives {ATF}, FiearmsTechnology Indusfy Services Sranch (FTISB), rvhich included
samples of various ammu*ition projectiles rd lcaded ammuniicn. Specifically' these itcrs
wsr submiled for an examinatiot and ctssicationn to determine if the submitted projectiles
are.rmor-piercing.mmu*ition {A}A}, ss defined in l8 U.S.C. $ 9?1(aX1?Xg}.
As yo* e avyfre, the G: Control Act {GCA}- tg {J.S.C,

"rmsr plercing rmmuaition {APA]" as*

()

921{aXl?}{B}, defines the term

prajectte or prajzctle core whch may be *sed n e handgtn and wiie* is csnslt'ttcted
extrely {exctwdrzg the presenee of lraces af atrcr substaaces} fro* one or a combnalion af
fungstenalfoys, steet, irs*, brass, branze, beryllixm coqqer, ar epteted ttranum; ar

{Q *tiacketed prajectle arger tha* .22 caber esgned and inlendedr ase n
handgun andwhose.lacket hcs aweight af more lfuan 25 percent af the tatal weight the
projectile.

Further, the CCA, 1S U,S.C. $ 9?2{a}{?i, states tht it shll be nlawt for any person to
manufactus or itport A3'4., except that lhis parF'aFh shall cet rpply to-

(,4)

the m*n*cture or importatien of such cmmunlioar the use of the Unted Slat*s
any epartmnt ar age$cy thereof or any State or axy deparln erf, 4ency, or poltcal
subtvscn thereef:
tlse mantlfact*re af such ammunition sfar tha purpese afexportation: ar
the man*facture or lmporlatonof such emm*ntan isr the purpose of testng ar
experimentcton qn hss been authsrzed by the ttatney Ge*era{.',.

ar

{8}
(C)

187

RIP

-2GIIGI)
Exceptions to the license requirement are covered in 2? CFR $ 4?8.149, Armor piercing
ammunition manufactured or imported for the purp$e of testing or experimentaion, which
stales as fallows:

The provisions of $$ 4?8-3? and 4?8.99(d) wilh re*pect tCI the manufacture or impartation of
armor piereing ammunitio: and thc sale or delivery of arrnor piercing ammunition by
rnanufactr:rers and importers shall not apply to the rnanufacture, importation, salc or delivery of
armor pi*reing amrnuition for the purpose of tcsti*g or e(perimsntation as authorized by the
Director, person desiring such authorization to receive armor piercing ammunition shatl
submit a letter application, in dlplieate, to the ircctqr, Such application shall cantain the name
d addresses ofthc persons directing or controlling; directly or indirectly, the policies and
managelent of lhe applicant, the nature or purpose f the testing or experimentation, a
description of the armor piercing anrnunition to be received, end the identity of the manufachrer
or irnporter &o::n whom such ammu:ition is ts be eeeived. Thc praved applicatioa shall be
eubrnitted ta the mansfscttrrer or irnporter who shall retan e copy as pari of the recods tequired
by subpart I{ ef this part.

With regerd to lhe irnportation of .P,{, please take notice of tha dditionul rcstristions fsund in
27 CFR Pert 44?, Inportation of .rms, Ammunition and Implements of rffar, partieularly those
specified in $ 44?.2{a}. Relation lo other lws and regulatio*s, which state-

,..All of those itenle or the U.S. Munitions Import List {see $ {4?.?} which arc "firarms" or
n'anmunitioa" as da$*ed in 18 U,S"C. 921(a) are subjecr to lhe interstatc snd foreign
$
cottrlrc canFols eontained in Chapter 44 sfTitls 18 lJ,S.C. and 27 CFf" Pr 4?8 and if they
re "firearms" rvithia the defini*on set out in 26 U.S.C. 5845{a} are also subjact to the provi:ions
of 2? CF. Part 4?9. .4ny person engaged in the bu*iness of importiag fireanus or ammunilion as
definsd ia 18 U.S.C. $ 92t{a} must obtain a license u*dar lha proviions of 27 CFR Fsrt 4?8. gnd
if he imports fireanrs which fll rryithin the defnitisn of 26 U.$.C. $ 5845{a} must lso register
and pay special tx p$rsrarit to the provisiols of 2? CfR Pt 4?9. Such licensing, regisbatio*
and special tax requiremants are in addition to regiaFatior+::nder subpart D of ths part.
When authsricing an exeeption to armor-piercing licensing requirements, TF mandates
submission of an explanalion describlng the Brnrncitisn nd the parties for whom the testing
will be perfcrmed"

FTISB condacted an examination of the below depicted annunitior:

188

RTP

-3-

189

Rlp

(IrGl)

The above phato depicts loaded ammunitian consistingof rille and pistol calibers rangiag from
.30 Carbine ts .38$" Th* projectiles are conslTueted cm lead only, and lead core with a cppe
jacket. Ths abeve amnunitian is not armor piercing as defined.

The .3 caliber projeetiles rlepieted above have r pocket created in the f?ont of the projectile a::rl
a steel tapered penekelcr inserled.

19

RIP

-5

As defind above, l8 U.S.C, $ 92(aXl?Xb), denes armerpiercing as ... aprojectile or

projtile eore which may be ussd in a handgun and which is constructed entirely (cxcluding the
prcsencs oftraces ofother substances) *om one or a eambination oftungsten alloys, eteel, iron,
brass, brome, beryllium copper, or depleted uranium. The samples dcpictcd in the photo abcve
gg armor piereing es defined.
$ 4?8.9?(b) with opaque black cnloring
and nArmor Piercing" Iabeling to clearly distinguish anncr piercing (AF) ammunition from nonP ammunition. failure to apply the opaque black calcring and labeling requirements prevents
AP ammrnilio* from being clearly distiagrrished &om *on-P ammunition. Failurs to clearly
distinguish bctweea AP ammunition and non-,{P smmuaitian will hinder ATF's ability lo deteel
thc unlawful mportation, m*nufacture, sals or transfer of ,P nrnmunition, potentially
endangering the lives sf law snforcemenl ofcers.

ccordingln .PA mast be mrked according to 2? CFR

We trust the fcragoing *as been responsive lo your sval:*lion re$esi. If we car bc of any

futher a*sistance, please cntast us.

Sincerely yours,

F
(

pj

X6

.Acti*e Chief, Fiearms

H
$ervices Branch

191

RIP

PAGE(S) WTTHHELD rN

FtrLL (Wm')

OR REFERRED TO ANOTHER AGENCY

fwm
REF'ERRED TO:
Page

Number

192-194

Exemption (b)(1)
Exemption (bX2)
Exemption (b)(3)

Applicable Statute
Exemption

(b)(a) I

Exemption

(b)(s)

Deliberative Process Privilege

Applicable Privilege:

Attorney Client Privilege

Attorney WorkProduct
Exemption

(b)(6)

Exemption (b)(7)(A)
Exemption (b)(7)@)
Exemption (b)(7)(C)
Exemption (b)(7)(D)
Exemption (b)(7)@)
Exemption (bXG)

Duplicate

Of Pages

Non-Responsive

l_l

Outside of Scope of Request

String E-Mail
f rnafad in

U.5. Dep*rtment of Justiec

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco,
Fireanr:s and Explosives

tl r

rilt hw F.

l'l'

/J"r.f

wrvil'.atigov

90?010:w
JUL

@
ATF

r:vestigato:

: itf
tl

33 I 1/303694

(rti

100 West Mai* Street, Suile 308

Lansdale, P, 19446

lnvestigeforff[
This rsfe to your submission and aecompa*yingtechnieal information to lfte Bureau of
.4lcchcl, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tA?Fl, Firearms Technology lndustry
$erviees Br*nch tFTtSS), which ircluded samples of varior affiunition projectiles.
SpecificallS these ilems were submilled f{rr en exsninstisn and classification,lc
determine if thc subn:ittcd prcjectilcs are rmor-picrcing Amrnunition (Af], as defined

in

18 U.S.C.

921{aXl7X3}.

s you ar awarr the Cun Contrsl.Act {OC'$, 18 1J.S.C. $ 921{aXtTXB}, deaes thc
term "rmor plerclng mmunltlsn [P.{]" as*
tttay be ssed ir a handgun an whch s
presence
aftrdees afother substanees)fran one or
constructe entrely {excluding
combnatan aftungsten ailays, eel, ron, brss, brft2e, berylluw copper, ar depleted
uranltm; or

{}

a pra}ectle or prajectle care whch

the

{ii) afitll jaeketed pro.iectle erger than .22 cclber desgned and ntender zue ln
a hrgvn and u,hose.iacket has a weght af mare fln 25 pereent af the tota welght the
prajeclte,
Further, the

C,

18 U.S.C" $ 922(a)p], stetes that

manufacturear irnport AP, exct

it

shatrl be

unlawful for aayperson to

that this FragrFh shall not apply to-

{A)

t* ma*actur ar mportatan of such amunitionr the use af the Unted

xr a4gt depsrneil|, lgencA4 or

{)

the mxtscture

States ar any epartmedl r aeey thereotar ny State

pa t i ti c a sa v s ian lhereaf;

af

such cmmuntian

195

&e purp$e f exporra$or; or

RIP

Page ?

(C) the antfactnre or importalar af sueh amunnon isr tlte purpose af testrtg
ar expermentaton and has been authorized the ,ttamey General,...
Exceptians to the licease requirement are eovered in 2? CFR $ 4?8.149, Armor piercing
ammunilion mnfactured or imported fo the pulpos of testing cr experimentation,

which states as frllows:

The provisions of $$ 4?8.3? and a78.99(d) with respect to the $anufacture or
importation of armor piercing arnmunition snd ths slc cr delivery of armor piercing
amrnr*ition by man*facturers and importers shall nst apply to the manufacture,
importation, sate or dclivery of armor piercing emmunition fcr tha purpose of testing or
experirnentatign as aeth*rized by the ireclor. pcrson desiring such uthorization to
receive armor piercing arnrnuniticn shall eubmit s etter application, in duplicatg tc the
irector. Such appiication shall contain the name nd addrcsses of the persons directing
or controlng directly or indirectln the pclicies and management of the applicant, th+
natue or purpose of the testing or cxperirnentatisa, a description of the amror piercing
ammunition to be received, and the identityof tha naufactureror irnporter &om whom
sueh annunition is to be received. The approved applieation shall be submitted to the
manufacturcr or irnForter who shall retain a cspy s part of the records rqired by
subpart H of this part.

Wiih regard to lhe importation of .P4, please fke atice cf the additional eskictions
found n ?? CfR Tarl44l,Importationof Arms, rrmunitian and lmplernents of lVar,
particularly thosc specicd in $ 4a7.2(a), Relation ta cthsr laws ad regulations, r*hich

stts,. .AlI of thosc items on the U.S. Munitions lmport List {see $ 447.21} xhich re
"fire*rms" or "amrnunition" as defined in 18 U,S,C, $ 92 I {a} nre subject to the intrsts
and fbre conneree controls contsined in Chapter 44 af l8 U-S.C. anil2? CFR Ptrr
4?3 and if they are'5resrms" within the defidtion set ut iE 26 U.S.C. $ 58a5(a) ae lso
subject to the prcvisions of 27 CFR Patt 4?9. *{ny person engaged in the business of

irnpcrting {irearrns or arnm:nition defised in l8 U.S.C. $ 92t{a) must oblain a lieense

und the provisiens {f 2? CFR Part 478, and if he irnports Srerrrs which fel xithin the
definitis of 26 U.S.C. $ 58a5{a} rnust alsa register aad pay speeial tax pursuant to the
provisioas cf 2? CFR Part 479, Such licensing rogistation and *pecial tax reguirements
are in additisn to registratien under *ubpart oflhis part.
\ffheri authcrizing an exceptioa o armor-piercing licensirrg reguirements, ATF mandates
submi*ion of ar cxplanaticn describing the arnmaaition ard ra parties for vhorn the
tesring will bc performeel.

t96

RIP

IG')

Page 3

The examination cf the submitted samples included a ftll description as notated below;

plastic bag ccntaining

plastic bag contai*iag

plastic bag co*taining

a quaati of (4\ ,J,24 crliber projectiles, each wcighing

greins;
approxirnately 45
incorporating a hallow-pcint*type OTt*,

a quantity ot{$ ,224 callber projectiles, each weighing

approximately 55 grains; incorporating a hollow-point-t1e design.

approxirnately

a quantiiy of t4]- ,277 cllber projcctiles, each weighing

0S grainr; incorporating a hol lowoint-type desi gn.

Flastic bag containing a qua*tity of (5) .30t crliber projeclilx, {4i xeighing
apprcximately 1t grains and {1} weighing approxirnately 145 grtins
inc*rpcrating a hollowoint-type design.

A plastic bag eor:tai*i*g a quantity of {3} .3$t coliber pmjectiles, cach weighing
approximately I 45 grains; incorparating a hollow-point-1p design.

FTISB personnel scted the accctttpanyirg correspondence attched fo each group of

projeetiles, described each grcup ds "CoutrIlel Chos f.rllef". ur examination noted
these doeumen desribed the af,orementoned samples as "rsJac*el, *b care
"nchneia* ba? stacx*',*cd"nat afrangbe bailetpraircedfram

praJecttles",
powdered

nelf'.

fto*E[FL

We also noted the accompanying signed staiement

penalty of perjury, that the submitted projectiles are manufactured
which consists of the follorving elemants:

decaring under

utilizing@[

@j

a
a
a

h X TI )

part cf this examinaTi*r, FTSB personel iseeted are prajectile om ech of the
five submtted gfoups ofprojeetiles nd fd each oxernpl*rwas devoid of a
distinguishabte prcjectile cre. Our Braneh found each of thc submitted prsjctls t b
made be of a non*ferraus Eetal, and appears to be devoid af a separata pmjcctile jacket,
As

Based on or svluation as',vell as tha accompanyrrg techricl inlbnnation, FTSB, has

dctermined sach sf the smitted samples incorporates projectiles made sfrss. Further,
lhe cvaluated items are pmjectils utilized in the sssembly cf amnruai:ion, which may be
used in ha:rdgrn. s a rcsult tlie submittcd five groups af ammunition projectiles corsist
ofP.{ as defined in 18lJ.S.C. $ 921{aX1?Xg}.

Accordingly, P must be marked according to 27 CFR $ 4?8.92{b} with aprque black

coloring ad "'{trcr Fiercing" labeling to clearly distingrrish armor piereing {,{P}

t97

RIP

Page 4

anmunition from non-AP ammunition. Failure tc apply the opaque black coloring and
Tabeling requirements prevents AP ammunitian ftom being clearly distinguished from
non AP mmunition. Failure to clearly distinguish betrveer AP ammunition and non-.P
ammunition will hinder ATF's ability to detect the unlawftl importation, manufacture,
sale ar transfer of AP ammunition, potentially endangeriag thc li*es of law cnforceme*t
ofcers.
Regarding licensing, to lawfrrlly manufaclure.PA, Lehig efense, LLC would be
required to obtain a Type l0 Federal Firearms License (FfL) Manufacturer of
Destructive Devices, mmunition far estructive evices ar Armor Fiercing
Ammunitior prior t any further manufacfuring ef PA. . T'pe 6 FFL Manufacturer
.rnmuniticn for Fireanns {other tlran ammunition far dectruetive devices orPA} is
required rna*ufaclsre ar:msnition.
The responsible iectsr of Industry Operalions
marking issue regarding the examined APA.

cf your region will

cf

be ati{ied of the

We Sust the foregoing has been responsive tG yur evakalisn rquest.

any rther assistance, please cntact us,

lf we can be of

$incerely ycsrs*

fl

Acticg Chief, Fireanns Technclcgy lr:&stry $crvicec Branch

Enclosure

tc:
TF Investigator {Ior}
ItO Tfet Mair S*eet, Suite 3B
La:rsdale, PA

:t44

irsctar af Industry Operations {I}

SI Wlnut Street, Suite 10E
Fkiladelphia, P, 19106-2989

198

RIP

Lehigh Defense, LLC 45 graifi,.224 Caliber

Brass Projectiles

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Lehigh Defense, LLC 55 grain,,224 Caliber

Brass Projectiles

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Lehigh Defense, LLC 100 grain,.277 Caliber

Brass Projectiles

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Lehigh Defense, LLC 1,45 grain,.308 Caliber

Brass Projectiles

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U.S. Ilepartment of Justice

ltrreau of Alcohol, Tbaceo.

Firearnrs and Explosives

Fi'r'. Tz c I m ol ogy

I t t t t s t ty Scr:ic.r

B r ct n el t

lht:ttttirag. ll t
tttr'. rll'gv

August 10,215

sflre

9S?01
331 r/303878

frrg
Vista Outdoor lnc.
lYista Way
Anoka, Minnescta 553S3

earftffi[:
This is in reference to yur recenl communicatsn to fhe Firearms Technology Indaslry Services
Braneh (FT[SB): reqesfng a determination on samples of amr*unition prajectiles you in:end fo
load into 5.56mm *arlridge cases. Speci{cally, you ask if u
M855 cartridge is still ME55 fsr p$rposes cf the exemption provided and altemalive ifnot,

wouldATFbcable1grntam*rkingvarianceasyoureompanywishesro@
An evaluation of your submitted

reveals that

( t5

it

is constructed

ofa

s sfeel

X tit )

*tsr" is tl:e intcrior or intemal component{s} of a projectilc. This is a

As you may know,
crmmon understanding ofthe rernr. See, for example, Glossarv of the Assocition of Firearm
and Toolmark Examiners. The eparfrnsnt of the Army Technical Manual TM-9'1300-200
notes tht the "bullet" of an armor piercing cartridge "cosists af a metal jacket and a hardened
stcel-alloy cer," eve$ fhcugh "in addition it may have a base filler and or a point filler of lead."
Therefore, a projectile *tay have stee: "$or" even ifan internl lead componcnt is also present
This is also recognized i: resources such as ths NRA Firearms $outcsbook, in rvhich it states
that ammunition may have morc than onc "core."
M855

tEto

HIg
2t9

Rrp

-2-

txt)

"I8

stafttory

the M855 conlains "a ... projectile core whi*h may be used in a
handgun and rvhich is constructed entirely {excluding the presence of*aces ofolher substances}
fom .., steel." Tbc epartmeat of he Treasury recognized as much when, prior to passage af
the Law Enforcem*nt Offrccrs Protection Act {LEOPA} in lg*5, it advised Congress that the
M855*the N.ATO 5.56x45mn cartridge*would be regulated as armor piercing ammunition
because ofthe presence ofthis stee!.

92t(aXl(B), Specifcally,

Holever, ATF pravided an exemplion for M855 and SS lt9 anrmunitio in ctober of 1986
which exempts it frorr tlre regulabry controls placcd upn rnr piercing ammunitian, With
this exemption, M855 and SSISg ammunition is simply regulaled tlre sarne as coventional
sporting ammniian.
As M855 is a U"S. cpartment cf efense designation, we canducted our review utiliziag their
specification requirements for M855 ammunition and compared those speeifications To your
ca*ridges. The DSD specifieatian requires a lead base projectile rvhile your eattridge replaces
would not be classified s
all lead in the projectile nd primer. Aecordingly,
MS55 by the U.$. F; is nat subject to the *xemption provided for *ach amrnunition; asd thus
is regulated as Tror piereing amm*nition,

your'fiEIlEII

We clo not presenfly have speeificrion requiremenl informaion avaiiable for $S109
ammunilion; lhus ere nat presently *ble to deternine if your carhidge rvculd or would aot enjoy
the exemption provided for $St9 ammunition. Should you receive a detcrrnination from a U.S.
tD, oTNATO member having *uthority ts make such deterninatis*s about the ammunition;
please provlde tht fc cur offiea *trd we can respond accordingly.

With respect t yssr request for "alternate methods cr procedures" cf marking the armor piercing
ammunilion; you lnve provided the follorving inforrnation:

r)

?)

3)

?t0

RIP

-3-

rve find

reasenable and

the alternste method of marking for

lVe thank you for yrur coffespordence and trust the foregoing is respoasive to your inquiry
Sincere yours,

,4eting

fhief,

reI

Firearrns Technotogy Industry Services Sranch

2tt

RIF

a2/2/t994 tt 4A Fr1

TF HGft C.Er"lcf

?,92/3

Tg FA TEcr

DEPRT}ISITT OF TH TREAS,RY
AUEEAU OF ALCOHOL, OIACO AilD

utt{tHorox, c. l0tt3 'IRERH8

att!9tot

Olt"T

Ilc

OTETT

2 l

I,ETTM. TO AI,L FSIAAL NNNMS

ICEITTSEES

lettr k to drlee you tgffSCfTVE riMIX}IIK,T

ctd core nodo bs be eddfied rr srd drrlg rnrwffou
NIl FedI Ffrus Lfuira, acepl fyle If gc.ntt, r8 no kry$r_ttborfoGd to
port s cilrirrrt fsll ?,t r 39rnn dtd c r"mu[bo. q+{bt rtoclrd?.l
lfm cd ur mmld rnry uly bc uprl a dd lo br l!t r

urp of tbls

7.6trx

ttrr

orElt trdt.

Secdon

nltXl?X3) eft nnor picning nornlth s

rrmr plcdg nunon E! r prqcdh c pojtc{h core;Hl

sd l hnndgw ud r! b utrucud c@y {ldsdhf l}r
prae of cr of dDcr nrbduoe ftsoe ot or r ouh$ho otory$e*
dtor dcd,lmn, brrg, bme, bcrrUiur.o*tarr or @errd unlw. tu&
turu doe nt bcluilc rdrn Srot t$Lrt bl Sotcrd or $dt rnrhoul or
gnc rcgudos for butln purpoq l fnagh pqGdf ccgnc for tBd
eoong, e prqclt tlch tt Seirdrry fln t 88try lua&d t b usd
tor cporlrg putpocc, incluillng s crgp ud l n oll rnd gt l p.rforg
tha t:o

rnt

dclcarl

rcr ltc pt sr.r ycr& |e Errrr otAhool, To rd llrcm f) ht

ttfi?ld tr hpctdou d comurclrt rrG of 7.2t3t@ ld co ufloc
brsd on tlc fct l thr Fere Do h!fil h comsdl cu* c.rlG 0f
ctenlalg lhtr rnuuI{oo, Incs8g$lo mx*rd by AIF }rrr dsdcd t

sr! t!*ms

rrr

mv comrrd rr[bh'

tffi $1t drlrrl t omd nportdm dlor dc of ?.ff nun

lll b codilert lllful Ylolr$o tlrrnd fuldm ud
enurhhn
*ed
prceodton uil te rl th of pu. flhrl flr*u
i
rrgrtt
cdnlt
could

Thcrefsq
cora

t.6t.

ll yn trvo rry qutdions .otca! thb umcrr

lmporir 8rllc ga122l q{t$.

Cotct |c

lrru

ud Sodr

fu#k'r
212

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213

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214

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gPAFTMNT OF THE TREASUY

autE Or ALcr{oL. ToBAcco r{ FIR:,RMs

ITSHtHGTON, t}.C. 2C226

trl

3 rsffi
f,erf

rfefffl

5 X6 )

ouu'
llris refere to your ]et,ber of, Fgbruary 5' 1983' eoncernlng
armor plercing emunitlen, vhlch ras foHardeal to thie
offics for rep1y,
sectlon 921tl {1?} tS} defines he tern armor plerclng
amunitlon e:
nlfhe term aEmcr plsrclng annunitlon meana a projectlle
or proJectile ccre yhlch nay be ueed in a hangtrn ancl
r*hich {a sons(rctecl entlrely {excluding the presenoe
of traces a ather subslances) from one or a
combnain of tungslen allyg, sEeel, lron, brage,
bronee, berylliun coperr or depleted uranien. Such
tern does ttot lnelude shct gun shat regulredl y rederl
or te envfrsnnental c gtne regulatlons for huntlng
prrposesr a fraagible proJeetlle deeigned fer target
shooting a prcjecile vhtch the eeerstary flnds ts
prinarlly lntended to be ueed for sportlng purpcse' or
any other roJeclile rhi.ch the secretary flnds is
lntencle to be uaed f,or lnduetrlal prposea' inelul*g
a eharge usel ln an ail and gae well perfsrthg
device.

of he above section ie o reglrlet the

*anufacture' sale' and dislrlbutlon cf any of the above type
prcJectllee erhlch nay be eed n a handgun.
Eany f,lrearmg lrhich are produced and sold ae handgune are
chambered for varl.oue cartrldlges rhlch nere orlgtnall,y
designed for rlflee ancl sonvereelyr many rlfles re ehambere
far cart.rldgee xblch nere lrlginally deelg*ed for hanclgune.
s a result nany cartrldgee cr n longer be eonaldered ag
purely rlfle or bandg*n eartrdgea, tbe types ef lrearne
proiluced f,or a glve:r cartrlelge muet be conelclered
ln determlnlng lf a nrtlcular tyge of annunitlon can be
ueed ln a handgun.
The inent

215

RIP

-2Th hnd helit nepona ehmberedl for large eenlsr flre

crtrldges are maaufctured an sold aa platola. - lrhref,orer
se mret-coaslder annunltlon for theee ilpol?l ae hangun
amnunitlon.

.....

216

RIP

DEPARTMSNT OF THE TREASUBY

BUREU OF ALCOHOL. TOBCCO

'tN
\ir6r{r NGTolt, ,c. 226

FIHEARMS

,ITiI'TE'ffi
EC

DT

;T

X
tE

pl

tSFs

r
t-.1

Thls refers to your reaent letter slth rhlch yol

eubnitted sarnpLea af .30 callber proJectlles havLng
eteel crsE.
Exa:fnatfs: of tbe eubitted sanples lndtcate that thay
are .?08 diameter, 16 grraln gteel cored rnilltarT tyle
rnor plerclng bullete. FraJectlles of thle type are
,lnlendad for uea ln .3/96 and 7.62r.51on callber
anmunltlan.

If the bcve proJectlles r f,or uae ln .30/06 callber

they natld nrt be consl.dered arnor plerclng
aonunitlon s that tere ls defined ln tltle 18 II.S.C.,
arnmunLtion

chapter 44, $ 321fsl {:.?} (B.

tlonevar, lf theas proJectlle are to be loaded ln
?.62:a51nn Xato salibsr anunltion tey t{ou.d be aror
plerclng '*unltlon as deflned. thl.s-claself,lcatlon le
aeed on the f,act that haadguna ar colnnatclally
produced that ars chaabered to accept th ?.62x51rnn
l{T cartrldga.

trust that he f,oregolng hce been responsf.ve to

lngury. ff ue rnay be of aty further assf.stance,

l{e

your

pleasa contac te.

slncerely yours,

#4*

ChlEf. lrea:ag

2t7

Tchnologry

RIP

LE F:TE:

3311.

.,'iL 3

Em

ffi""r

2?07 Sant,a na Valley Road

Poat Office Eox

1097

Halllster, Callfornia
oear

95024

$ff[:

Thle refers to your letter of July 24, 19 92, lti th r,hlch

you subrnLtted lnforraation on lllgh gfety Amurl tien
(H.S..) as rnanufactured ln England.
n exanLnation of the submltted LnfornatLon lndlcaes
that the an&unltlon in qustlon la eslgned. to defeat
soft body arlor. the proJectiles are deslEnrd to be
flred ln handguns and contal.n 7 steel plns in the
proJectile core.
18 U.s.C. chaptgr 44 S 921(a) (B) eftnas the tern arnor
perclng annunlt{on a6:
trThe tern arnor plerclng annunltian Eeans a
proJectile or a proJectlle core rrblcl nay be used
ln a handgiun and vhlct Ls constructed entirely
(excluding the presence of traces rf other
substances! fron one or a ccmblnation of tungsten
aloye, steel, iron, brass, bronz, beryIllunr
copper, or dep.leted uranlun. Such tenn doee not
include ehotgun shot required by Federal or state
ervironrental or gaae regulations for bunlngf
purposeE, a franglble proJectile deslgined for
target ahootinE, a proJectlle rhlch the Secretary
finds Le prfulariLy intended to be uEed for
sporting purposes, or any other proJectiLe or
projectlle cor rhich the Secretary finde ia
intended to be used fcr iduetrial purpoaes,
lncludlng a charge used ln an oiL or gas well
perforatlng devlce. tl

ooo
8uR.
HAIIE

II
lr.i

REV'EF

FYEWEN

RE\'EYYEF

nEvtEwux

nEvtT

fl

OAT

orttor lHlctl

COREsFOT{DENCS
I3 OOLETE

Atov^L Ailo LA8rrcE

/i^t 0f

218

oltfia.ror la^aY
r*
tl tl - r$tglt|!t
'flt

ro.{ctt rrc

llO.-*rrf

RIP

-2-

Based on a dEcrlptlon of, the annunitlon ln queeion,

it is arrror plerclng munltlon ae deflned.

To prouc tmor plercing anlunitlon yau nust be

l.lceneed a a unufacturer af arncr plerclng
arounitlon. The fee for this llcenee le $1oo0 per
year.

rr piercing aamunLtlor ay only be nanufactured or

delivered for use by the Unl.ted States ol any
departrnent or agency theraof' any state or deFarttrent
or age!cy tbereof or for exportation. ior pLerslg
aaultion nay also be nanuf,actured for experlnentation
a authrfzed b tbe Secretary.
27 C,F.R. part 1?8, S 178.92(b), a coPy of rhicb ie
encloeed for your inforsratLon, contalns infornatlon on
the narlcing nd labeling reguirenents for arnor
plerclng amunition. S 1?8.99(d) and (el contain
Adttlonal lnfcrmation on tre nanufacture, lnportation,
and sale of, arntr plercing anmunltien. S 1?8.10'1
contalns lnfortation on the recoridl keeping requlrenento
for araor pterclng anrunltion.
f{e trut that the foregoing has baen responaive to your
lnquiry. If se nay be of any furthr aasLtance,
please sontact us.

a:

SincerelY Yours,

d$ard

!t. gen, Jr.

ChLef, Firearns lechnolagy Branch

E?lclosre

co

tnllTtTgB

EYIFIYE

gnFEEFO|EHC
rHtcH 16ossoLFrE

xvttwtt

EVtErblt

Hlvlrl

xtsYteYrta

AIIDCLEARTICE

.ilt
't

2t9

{, o}

{tfitlrntr
tr- to!arl

op^Fil$frof

rrq$l. rcartfiFE^t8

L*rtttk

RTF

euls5098
AUG19,.i:

l-r
(

6
X
ffiL
pj

o**"
Iour lttter to tle PreslJcnt dteO Nay 30r 19S3. ragarl,nE
Xf'H lstl plerclng a$srlJ,onr ytE rcfrrre to the
rreru of Jlloolrrl, tobacso Fkearss tor roply,
fbe f.rd acEal plerclng aqunLttanr ra aurrrntly
erftued, contclns e brass Le praJeatllo eovered
tlth tht* layex of *flor. Thr aamunltlon xao orlglnally
developod ln the Late 196O' to Fetrrtrst setal, It
Iao la t&e cepabtllty ot ponorrt,h .ertal eoft arnor
utl,llEed l bultet ree!.atat, Trrrnts.
3hs rurrent feera sttutes regulatlag firrrnc $sd
axqunltlon d no rohibtt tha rrnufasturo or oalo of
:frl Estl :letalng affiu$ltr.on. Sush eurl.tln le eubJect
to tha ,,r' xegu!,rtl.onr rhlah aFply ta cvrotlonrl
rportlng aunltlln. Stre to thr onas avrr ths
FgtnLll hrErrd l1g *seunltlon eoul }oe to law
entorcencat,, Eereral trogtslrtlv pro$sssls trlsh trould
lan or rrttrlct tr rrllrblllty gf 8Tt typ nrtrEitloa
lrrre been latroducai tn he Congr*e a.ad *ia cumatl

HE
rt th
HF

ttv

OH
5l)
o
coO !f
I FO
lo H

-
tr{ 13
r.',
lr tf
F
l
oo
ro

rb
ry

l
l
{1

ll
H

urer con lcrat,lqn.

tbt tbe foregolng J.r rerpcnelve ts your lngulry.

lf thsrl lo rngtblag furthrr ff oln d tG be of, rltlgance,
plcaoe let us kaot.
Slncenly yrs,

Tfo hope

olg Dr.reatos

EI Hre ilE

cor
xttrs

REVr{R

8VtS,WF

fiv!gw*

OAIE

ArtF tt
:tt^c3 ,\F

For ea t9,73t

MAY

THTCLERAIJCE
Ug.

224

ta!

oi **

RTP

DEPARTil.Etll OF THE TREASUFY

SUBEAU OF LCO}|OL, rOtCCO t{D FlREARlrS

D}CE APPHOVAL AND CLARANC

e38s0
[lAY

'

{{ilIGI

33 1 112 oo3 - 169

2,3:l

tEI
4406 Rachburn Lane

SlevensviL}e, Montana 59870'6139

IEISI

ear

Ths i* in response t<: your letter daLed leeember 1?,

2t82, askiag several guesLicns re}.atng to rmr
piercing ammunition" Your guestions prLin tr the

defiaiel*n of armor plercing ammunition, .icensing

reguirements far sel.1Lng ammunition and Trlor piercing
asmunition, marking requremets, Tcard keeping

reguirernenbs, and the licensing reguiremerLs for the

sale of ammunilion and annor pierciag am*unition.
As defned ln litle :.9, IJnited Slates fode (U.s.c.),
Chapler 44, section 921{a} t1?} {B}, the term armor
pi*rcing arnmunition reans-

{i}

a proJectile or projecri}.e core which may

be used 1n a handgua and uhieh is
const,ucted entfrely {excluding the
Fresenc of traces at other substances)
from cne or a cornbnaton of tungslen
alloys, seeel, ir, brass. brcnze,
bery3.Lium copper, er dep}eted uranium; r

tiil

a full jacketed prajectlLe larger Ehan .22

caLber deeigned and interide for uee in a

handgun and uhose Jackel has a weight of

llore than 25 percenl of tbe toual weighe
the projecLile.

TOD
SUNAME
DTE

3 )X

ff,vlFwE

(b
t_

11

L,

fIEVIETIIE

X6

f-t??
'lr.l 9r16.r prd.o

22t

l&a:

-.ttlailsi

zuP

-2-

ffi
TiEle 18, U.S.C., 6ection g22ta) t?) slas, ic shal1
be unlawful for any person Lo manufaclure or imporL
armor piercing ammuniEion, except tha! his paragraph
eha11 nol applY to-

tl

t,he mnuf,acEure or inporcLion of sueh

ammuniLion for th u5 of the united stales
or any department, r agency thereof ar any
SEale or any departilent' getrcyr or
polieical subdivislon hereof ;

Section 922 {ai {S} tles, tbat i! shal1 be unlawful

for any *anufacturer or i$TporEer to sell or deLiver
armor piercing ammuniion, except thL Lhis paragraph
sh*ll no applY to-

tl ehe anufacEur or i{fiporttin of such

arrfrunition for the use of he Urited Slales or
arqr delartmenL or gencl Lhereof or ary gtte or
any deparLment, agercy,

thereof:

cr politicaL subdivsj.on

piercng ammunfticn a:d rfior piercing

ammuntia* that has been exempted frcm rhe definilln
are lsted on page 125 in lhe seneral Infornatln"
seclion of the Federal Firearms Requlation 6uide. !,le
enclose a cpy of the Guide f*r your reference.

the

named rmor

also aEk whether loading ammunLtion wilh rmor

piercing plcjectlles pulled frcrn .5 caliber Brouning
ammunitian or .3-05 rmr piercing amr$uniion *ould
reguire lhe same licensing procedures 5 rmor
piercing ammunilon,
Yau

arnmunition
Fifty ealiber Srorrning ammucition is not
for a handgun and, therefore, ia nol l*armor piercing'
a*munilion as defined. The '3t-6, l.(-2 ar$or piercing

lhe rmr piercing

defnilian. Howevcr, "30 cal.iber armor piercing
projeceiles and .308 cali.ber {?.2mm} armor plerci.ng
ammunitlon is still armor piercing arffnunition as
anmuniEior has been exenpted from

222

RTP

[x)

defined. If you were to use the .30-6 armor piercing

projectiles Lo load "308-callber ammunition, you rlrould

be manufaceuring armor piercing anmuntion.

Manufacture for rersonaL use h'ould also be a vioLation
of t.he ciEed eection.

For ehe manufacture of ammunition, a T1e 06

'!vlanufact,urer Of rnmuniton Fr Prearms" licenee is
required. For he manufaeture of armor piercing
smunition a Tlpe 10 "lllanufclurer of etructlve
evices, .mmuntion 'or DestrucE.ve Devices Or rmor
Pierci*g llmmunitiono is required.
Regula.ions pertaining to marking, lransfer and record
keeping regui"remenls re conLained in Titl 2?" Code
of Pederal Regulatione {CFR}, ?art 4?8 {fc}rmerly pru
1?g], which ca:r be found in Lhe 'ederal Firearms
ReguLaons Guide as *e11,
27, CFR, seclion
4?9.92 addr*sses the marking"tL:.
requirernent fcr armor
piercing ammu*ili.on, r*h1e aecio$ 4?8.123 addressee
the record keepng and lranefer requiremenEs.
We Lrust thae he foregoing has been responsive to
your nquiry. If ue nay be o arry furlher asgis!nce,
please ccntac us.

Sincerely yours,

.*,cting Chi

Technology Branch

ErcLr:sure

223

RIP

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

BUR/TU OF LCOHOL. TOSCCO AI{ FIREFMS

WASHINGTON. .C. 206

tE:F:3 {irgir

r'4

2I

Xnc.

flre
?919 CrrEron gtreef
rost offlcs Box 5?8

Central take, l,tlchlgan

r

3311.

1994

496,2

ffi

laur letter of l,larch 3, 1l9d' to our ra::ul"ngton filll'e'

l{lchlgan cffce cocerning arnor pierelng uunltlon
hag been referred to thls off,l"ce for reply'
Bitle 18 tt.s,c., chpte:i it{, seclan 92t(}(1?}{B}
deflnee the tern a:r piereLng auunitLon al
rtfla term a:mor piereing aunLlon tlens
projectile or prJectil core rhlch aay be use ln
nnaqun ane rttr ls conetructe entlrely
{exc!.udlng the pressrrc of, tracea cf other
ulatance f,rot one or a coublnatior of tung=ten
berylliun
attoys, sef iron, braes, bront'
coer, or depleted uraniuu. guch tstu does not
i*clue shotgun 6hot rqured by Feeral or Stae
envircr:rnentaL or gtre reilIatlong fer hunting
FurFss' a f,ranglble proJectlle designed f,or
target ehooting, a proJectlle rTlch the secretary
flrs le prllailly lntended te be use fcr sportiag
purFsssr or any ttrer prsJectile or proJeetle
or hlcl the Secretary flad is Lntendeil to be
u*ed for inustrial purees, lncludlrg a charge
n*ed in an oLl and ge rell perforating deviEe.r
?.62x25 *n 9s annunltion havlng a cor aatsrlal as
de*cribad *bove is clerly rnsr Blerclng anunitlsn
an lE sublec to the Srovlelcns of the abova
e
def,initlcn- It has been unlaerful slnce the statute
enacted 1n the d 198ots to lmpcrt or sell the above
aanunltlon or any ottrer aanunltl'on neettng the clted
deflnitlca.

224

RIP

-2-

[x
t{a

to your
trut that the foregol.ng hae een reeponelve
ny further aesl'etncet

lngulry. If re nay be-of

please contact us.

Sincere1y yourst

t{.

OHnr Jtr.

Chlef,, firears Teehnologry Eranch

))\

RIP

t14
NOY

25

9Sd

F:TE
3311.4
E: CE:

ry

Huachuca

2423

rucsort, riaona 85745

ffi

ear

this ls Ln response to your letter dated t{ovenber 1?,

1994, ta the Bureau of, lsohol, Tobacco and Firearns
(ATF}. In your letter you lnqulre about the
classficaion of ?.62x39nm arnunLion.
s defined tn Tltl ls Uni.ted States Code (U.s.c.),
chapter 44, $ 921t (r?) {} of, the Gun Cnrol ct of
196S {Gc}, tha tern annunitlan $ar ammunition or
cartrdge csec, priners, bullets, or propellent ponder
deslgne for use ln any frearm,
s deflned ln la u.s,c., cbapter 4, s 92r(a) (1?) tB af
Gc, the teril rfr$or plerclng annunltLonr mensl {i} a
proJectlle or proJeclile sore vhlsh nay be uaed in a
handgun and *hich is constructed entirely {exeludlng
the presence of traces of otber substances| from cne or
a eonblnation of tungsten alloys, steel", iron, btrass,
bronae, berglli.un cpper, or depleted uranuu; or {i}
a full jaclceted projectlle larger than .?2 caliber
designed end Lntended for use n a handgun and whose
jack*t has a r*elght of nore than 23 prcnt of the
total uelgbt of the projectLLe. stch tera does no
include ehotgun sbot requred by Federal or State
ervirnnental or gsne regulatsns for untlng prrposes,
a ranglble proJectlle rlesined for aret shaoting,
prcjectlle rhch the Secretary finds is prirnarily
inten*ed to e used for eportlnq purposes, or ary otber
proJeciLe or proJeetile cora vhch the Secretary finds
ls lntended to be used for L*dustrlal purposs,
i.ncludlng a charqe used in an oil and gas lrell
perforatng davice.

ft ls unlauful f,r anyohe to rnanufact*re, inport, eell,

or deliver arnor piercing arnnuntion exeept f,or the use
of the tlnited States or any department or agency
therecf or ny state or any department, agency or
political subdiviEion thereof .

c
suR.
tAt{tE

!Af

N
1__

ffi

REVIWE

EVt$EF

vltrt

REVIEWER

yttttcH

PPBOVAL AI'O CLNNC

226

gn

oF

tF^ilrlxf F ltti*slir
ttrccfli! ar$rs

LconoL

RIP

-2flx{l
lfF has prevlously deternrined that the subJect of your
inquiry, the ?.62x39nm cartrldge, is claseified as
fiarnmunltionn as that tern ls defined in the second

letter.
Further, sn Februaty 2, L994, ATF reclassified aLL
steel core ?.62x39mn amnunltion as arrr piercing
annunlton, due to the prductn of several handEuns
*hch rere designed t flre he ubject annuniton,
Pror te the lntroduction of tlsse handguns ln the
aarlqet place, 7.62x39nm ca1ber ammuntion was not
consldered arnar plercing, because lt tas only used in
rlfles.
Subsequentlyo The Violent crine Crtrl and L
Enforcement ct of 1994, r*hich ras enacted Septenher
13, L994, expaned the definition sf arnor piercing
rrunltlon tc include a fuLl Jacket proJectile larger
than .22 ealber, designed ard latended for use in a
handgun, and rhose Jacket has a weight tlf nore than 25t
of ta tottl xeight of the proJectile. TF has
prevously deterrnined that 9mn caliber ammunition ethJ.ch
ls *anufactured in Sreden and designated a the 1,1393,
meets the expanded definltlon.
For your convenience, rre have enclosed the related
paragraph f, hls

documents.

trust that the foregoing has been responsive to your

inquiry. If +e nay be of any further assistance,

l,le

please contact us.

Sincerely ycrs,

3l

tl. Ottn, Jr,

Chlef, FirearnE Technalogy

Brangh

nclosures

l'lTlAT

cotE

Il[VfawEtr

EVIEWfF

FgvtEtvE*

EEVIEWF

sSYtEtfa

suR.
},l
DAT

t\
N

ATr Frgl.tA

.nl

conE?of{or{c: t}vALfrD LE{cE

REILAcES 106 Eornot{ wHlc}t l3 ogsoLETE

=,t _**

F^ffXfl?trTN Tnnr

tu8r,

!F toflol.tttToSrcco I flntArE

oo taa!4rttaa

.-

227

RTP

EPARTMENT F THE TREsURY

BUFAU OF ALCOHOL. TOBCCO I'D FlB/IRMS
WASHtNGTON. .c'. 2e2e6

M 2 0 lsss

E:CP:F:lfE
3311.1

{Eir6il

reI

Fabrlgue Nlona le l{ouvelle Heretal, S'.

VoIe de tiege, 3 3
B-4o40 Hrtal

Belgil

o.*GK1['

fhis refer to your lettr dated t{arch 9' 1995' in

uhich you aek a-bout annunltlon elasslfied aE arnor
pierclng. You 160 agk about the lnportatloa of
iirearnE an armor pierclng ar'unltlcn.
sectlon 921.{a}{1?}(B)e{Cl, chapter 44, Tit}e 18, unitad
states coee'afn ne tem ainor piereLng aurmunitlon
a6;

{i} a projectile or proJectlle cor Hhlch nay be used

Ln e handgrun and uhlch Le construcLed entlrely
(excluding the presense of traces of other substances|
frGE one or a eomblnation of tungeten altoyet steelt
iron, brass, bronze, berylllun caFper' or depleted
uranirn:. or
{1i} a full Jackete proJectlle larger than .22 ca}iber
designed and intended for use l-n a handgun *nd rrhose
jacket has a weiht of nore than 25 percent of the
tctal weight of the proJectile.
Based {rr the infornation provlded, 5.7x28m amrrunl'tion
having a eteel cor prejectlle is araar plercing
annrunltlon as defined in {1} above. ff the proJectile
were redeaigned o elininate the gteel core, the
projectile ould etill be classLfied as armr piercing
nnunition if proJectile Jaclcet had a welght or tore
than 25t of the total weigbt of the projectlle.

228

RIP

-2-

IEI6]
rmor plereing armunltlon sul.d oniy b lnrorted for
distrlbution to the unlted Statea Gsvernnent or
quallfylng la nforceuent agenclea. nyene desiring
to lnport arnor plerclng amaunltlon aust be licensed ae
an Imporler of rnor Plerclng unitlon and an TF
Frm 6 ls requlred to lnpcrt the aunltlon. ?!e Form
6 ould be restrlcted to allo only the aosunt of aroor
plerclng amunitlon to fl}1 epecific governnent r lil

enforserent purcase ordere.

that l-s not classified ae arnor pierclng and

that ls sultable for eportlng purposee nay be lnpotted
and sold counerclally. nyn deerlng to lnport
sportlng annunltlon must be properly llcensed and
subnit n ATF Foro 6 to lroport arn'nunltl"on.
?lith respect to the inportaticn of handguns, a handgun
qualifying for lrraportatlon s a eporting firearo on TF
Forn 4590, Factorlng crLtria for tlespong, nay be
irnported fsr comoerclal. sa1e. Anyone desirlng to
iurport eportlng handguns nuet be llcensed aE an
Inporter of Firearms. n lF Forn 6 le regulred to
lrrport flrearns of thle type.
l{lth respect to senLautonatlc handguns that are capable
cf accepblnE a detachable magazLne, recently paseed
laws require that any rfagazine for suctr a rtapon Ey
have a cartrldge capaclty of not nore thn 10 rornds of
amrnunition, Additlonally, the roagrzlne nay not be
readlly restorable or ccnvertlble ta accept rore than
1 sartridges.
bndgrun tha doee not quallfy far lurportatlon as a
spartinq firearro rnay not be lraporled for connerclal
sale. handgiu of thie tlpe nay only be iroported for
sa.e to the U.S. corlernuent or quallfying law
enforcenent agencJ.es. Anyone deslring to inport non
aporting hanilgitns muet be llcenged as an inporter of
firearns. An TF For 6 ia requlred to lnport firearns
of this type. In ths caee of non sporlng handgrune,
he Forn 6 nould be reetrlcted to allow only the number
of hanguns to fill apeclfic talr onforeennt purchase
nmunltion

orderg.

229

RIP

Chtef,

230

RIP

tFtTll

Po Po d
Connc t t eut

att

&::1?l

trr+
ct I

ed tn
lr1
th
,tu

1le
u* nq thc

,.

I {

sc

aC*

ect
a

JL

RIP

IIIGI)

our x,lntton lo lndlcrtea that sl

lI1 he tha offtcl

r ue. ln aorvlee rl
hvo lnereared rcuracf rnd ranqe
rr Of roortl
5,56nr rlflri h avf|
nnu f.
thelr .56nn rlfle barr I rl h ! ono ln rcvln
rpeef f I s.lly for th $$l 0gl?!85 5 clrtrl.le. ?hlr
lc to e tbe :trnd ard 5. 56nn rl fIa clrtr
rlI l
rnd ctvtl lan rl fI
tch
slso
od hht 4rf
rqunl

t'to

655

\ata

Lhr 5,lGn: crr

rnge rptl

ur

llcr I
lect to
F*r
rtetln,
run Ition.

he adv I *eJ tht ghould

ho den tp n or cona
thts claEl f lca

rt the

been ra

y fur thr

232

yeluf

RIP

t'l

DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

aunAu oF ALCOHOL TO^CCe AN FIFEAR|
wAgHrNcrON, OC O22s

Jt I T pss

w
2941 Sunris
er

ffi

1:

,.

,:

233

RTP

-2-

Enclosed for your infor*ation iE a pamphlet concerning

rmor pi.ercing $munieion.
We trust' that, the foregoing has been responsfve o your
inguiry. If we can be-of ny furEher aseisbnce,
please contcE us.

glncerely yours'

e*.e"Y]
Chief

Edward M. wen,

. Fire:*rs

'fr.

TechnologrY

Enclos*re

234

RIP

a,

DEFARTMENT OF TH TRESURY
6UREAU OF ALCHTL, TOSRCCO AND FIREARMS

wAsHIHGloN. O.C.206

oRCC10

{w

-2 p

WD

, Inc
Porero venue
Souh El Monte, Callfornla
1143

Dsar

(re

91733

lhlg refers o your letter of ugust 24, 1992, to the

Eureu of lcoboL, Tobacco and Firearms (TFl, in which
you asked that Hz .30106 cal.iber arroor plerclng
ennunltlon be exenpted fror ha definltion of arnor
rlarclng amunitlon as contained ln Lg U.s.c.
chapter 44 s 921(a) (17) (B).
llhe slted seetion deffnee rmor piercing annunitlon a6
th tarn rrarnor plercing annunltlonrt Deans a
proJectile or proJectlle cqre rhlch nay be
used in bandgun and hlch ls constructed
entlroly {excLuing the presence of traces of
other substancee! from ons or a coabinatlon
of ungsben alloys, eteel, lron, brass,
brortzs berylliurn copper or depleted uranlum.
such terD doeE not include sobgun sh{}
requlred by tredral or sats evironbental or
gane regulatlons for hunting p$rposes, a
franglble proJectll.e uhich the Secretary
fins is prlnarlly lntend.ed to be used fr
sportlng purposes, r ny other projectle or
proJectile core hich the Secretary finds ls
lntanded to be used for industrial purpcees,
lncludlng a charge used in oil and gad uel}
perforating device,
lclnatlan of tbE l,tZ .30/6 eallber arnor pierclng
aununltlon lndicates tat the proJectila le constructed
uelng a f,ull uetal Jacket and a proJeetile eore
constructed frou steel, Basd on lts construction and
tha fact that a handgun chanbered fr the .30/06
cartrldge has rscenEly een nade connercially
avallable, the anounitl.on in quastion ueets the
deflnltlon of arnor plerclng annunitlon.

lt{

RTP

-2-

fire
Ho$ever, baeed on our research and the baclcground
lnfonnatlon provlded with your letter' lt le usll
Esrn6!d that tt I'12 .30/06 Tnor piercing cartridge
hae been recognized as being suLtale fr target
ehootS.ng uith rlfSes due to its acuracy.

ffherefore, ATF fels thab H2 .3AiA6 calber aruor

piarcing anmunition is prLnarily lntended for oporting
purposee ard le not subJeat to the reetrleticns lnposed
n ttre Eanufacture, lnportatLon, or dlstrLbutlon of
arnor plerclnE aanunltlon.
Please ba advleed that ehould unforesEen problens
develop, thls clasElficatlon ls subJeet to revie*.
fe truet that the foregolng has been responslve to your
lnuiry.

JO

6F

RTP

ss-tFfi

II

( t3

X6 )

73S K $treeLr !t.t?'

'..:bgtor'flc ?9$06

237

RTP

DEPAHTMENT OF THE TFEASUFY

sunEAg oF ALCOXOI, TOEACCO altt} FIREAR!$

ANT' CLEARANCE

COFRESPNt}ENCE

lv 2 4

2e00

es3050,W
3

- \ ?.r

31.1.11- 123

, Inc.

centur

L1614 Rainbcr+ Ridge

flelotes, fexas ?8t23
ear

?his refers I yaer lelter of ctober 30' ?Ot n

whch ycu ask *bouL importation of .f: calber rimfire
ammunition.

s defn*d in section 921{a} {r?} {}, of TiJ"e 18,

United states Code. the Erm "aror piercing
ammunilia" fneflg

{} a proJeclle or projecrile cr uhich may be

ia a handgun and whicb is consLrucLed
ni.rely (excluding the presence of traces of
oter subsbances) from one or a combination of
t\r:?g$c*n alloys, sLeel , ir<]n, brss, bronze'
beryllium cpper' or depleted urani.tm o
{ii} a u}1 jacketed projecci}.e larger Lhan '22
caliber deaigned and interded for use in a
bandgun and r+hcse jacket hae a weigh of more
tbn 25 percn of the tatal weighL of the
prcjectiLe.
used

{C}

tern "rmor piercing arnrnunilion" does n+t

include eh*tguR shot required by gederal cr staEe

The

eavironmenlal or gme reguLagions for hunuing

a frangible proJect'lle esigned far
Ergt ehcoLing, a proJecrlle rhich eh Secretary
finds is pri*arily intended to be *ged for
s:orling Furposes, or any other projeetle or
projeccle cre uhich Ehe gecretary finds is
ntended to be used for lndusCria3. purrcses'
ncluding a charge used in an oil and gas xell
perfcrabing devlce'

purf:<>ses,

cE
s$i,AME
TT

ffiT

fiEvrv{EF

FVIEWE

ffEVlrrER

RETEWEff

FEVtWR

ila
'us Po 199{i}rr,tr

238

RIP

THE TREASURY

T}EPARTMEI{T

BUE*U OF ALOHOI, IOB^CCO AllO FIRE Rt S

AHT} CLEARANCE

CCRRESFOHDENCE

-t-

Since brags is one f the ligEed metal*. a .1? callber

rmfire cartridge havi.ng a brass bu13eL would be
armor-piercing ammunitlon as defned. A pure copper

projecEile rauld not be arnor-piercing ammuniLan. IE

is generai.ty unlawful lo irnporE or manufacture armorpiercing ar$muniion excepE for governrflen use.
Addltional infonaton is encl"osed.

trust EhaE the foregoing has been respcnsive

your inguiry. If you have further grresions
concerning t.his matt.er, please conce us.

We

Lc

siacerely yours,

rY,
Curtis H.A, Bartlett
thtef, Firearms TechnoloEy Sranch
Enclosure

INITI*TOR

*gvr18fl

REVIEI,VER

REVIEI{EF

RVI'Teff

EVIVYET

c00
SUFT+AME

AT
ru.s. 6PO r9t{59tt!}56t

239

RIP

':

lr i' :.:..i:

fti': i:it:;! r t{t

1t;{ ?ijrii}:::i.'.

t:i'iijr' ,,:''+

ffi

r',..'+ir::r.r::" i:: ;iir''l:.'-' i'' "-'i.:'-r1"!i'."

"

EPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY

BUEU TF .LCOHOL. TOCCO Nf} FIREARMS

wAsHtNToN, .C.

l'tAR

2,05

- g gS

E:CEf :18
3310.O

P.O. Bax

215

31t South 860 East

nerican Fork, tltah 84003
s*ut
t
lfhls refers to ycur tetter dated Ocbr 12, L994, wlth
which yoa subnltted sarnples of handgun prcJectiles for
claEsficatla.
ect"ion 921{a}{1?}{3}, Chapter rt{, tltle 18, I}.S.C.
efines the tern rilor plerclng ensrnitien s
proJectile or proJectlle core whlc $ay be used in
bandgun and htch Ls constructed entirely {excladlng
the preeence of tracee of, other substancee) fron oae or
a csnbination of tungsten aIloye, steel, ron, brass,
bronze, berylllun copper, or depleed uranlunt or a
full J*eketed proJectile larger ttran .tZ caller
designed and lntended for use Ln a handgun and rhoee
Jacket has s reight of lore than 25 percent of, the
total reiht of the proJectlle. Ele tr$ ErEor
pierclng aurnltian does not J-nclude shotqu* ehot
requl.red by Feder1 ar State envronue*tal or gans
regulatian for hunting purposes, a frangible
proJectile esiqined f,or target shoetl.ng, a proJectle
rhlcl tlre sEcretary flnds is primarily- intendsd to be
use f,or sportlng purposes, or any cther proJecile or
proJectile core rlhlch the Secretary finss is inended
to be used for lndustrlal purposes, lnelsing a charga
used ln an oil and as well perforating device"
Exani.rat,ian af the sahnitted
, and he

rc

EI

ru

are

fror

onE

al

t!e

uae

naterlls listed in the aove defj.nltian. ?berefor*,

the sei brass proJectlle as subnltted neet the
deflnltion of arnor pierclng anunltion.
Slnca the proJ*ctlles ln questlcn r daslgne
prlnarily f,or use ln a handgun and are contructed fron
t

f_
244

RIP

a
t

th sate materials as other arnor piercing handgun

arnunLtLon t*e oannot consider these proJectlleg to be
prlnarlly Lntended for sportinq purposes.
?herefore, the sanples as subnltted are arnsr piercing
annunitLsn as dsfinqd'
I trus ttrt tlre f,aregolng !as been reeroneve to your
nguiry. If, $e can e of, any furthsr asslettncet
please cantact us.
Sincerely Yocrst
,/r]

* Edsrd
Cten, ifr.
Chief, firearrns ?echnologY
l1.

241

RIP