Federal Firearms License

The Federal Firearms Act of 1938 (R L. No. 75-785) required that all dealers who buy or sell weapons across state lines hold a Federal Firearms License (FFL). The Gun Control Act of 1968 (P. L. No. 90-618) superseded the 1938 law. It increased license fees and prohibited most sales of firearms or ammunition across state lines. All gun dealers now had to be licensed and had to record all sales of firearms or ammunition so that they could be traced by police. Maximum penalties were raised to 5,000 and imprisonment for five years. 

Their policies range from the permissive (all law-abiding adults) to the highly restrictive (must show a definite need), cop-killer bullet Term for armor-piercing ammunition popularized by gun control advocates. The term gets its name on the basis that it especially endangers police wearing bullet-proof vests, curios and relics Firearms that are at least 50 years old or that are considered (because of their scarcity, historical value, or unusual nature) to be collector s items. A federal firearms license (FFL) is required for interstate purchase of such firearms. 

This title may be cited as the Federal Firearms License Reform Act of 1993 . 

In 1938 Congress extended the national firearm regulation system by passing the Federal Firearms Act. This law required that all manufacturers, importers, and dealers in firearms be licensed. It forbade delivery of a gun to a person who had been convicted of (or was under indictment for) a crime or who did not meet local licensing laws. 

Congress passes the Federal Firearms Act of 1938. It requires that manufacturers, importers, and dealers in firearms (and ammunition for pistols and revolvers) obtain licenses. The law also prohibits delivery of a gun to a known criminal, to someone under indictment, or in violation of local licensing laws. 

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) of the Department of Treasury is responsible for issuing tax-exempt licenses for research use of ethyl alcohol. The ATF has very strict requirements for alcohol use and recordkeeping for its licensees, and this approval is one of the most difficult of all federal research licenses to obtain. The regulations are given in 27 CFR Chapter I. 

The National Firearms Act of 1934 (P.L. No. 73-474) placed high taxes on the manufacturers, sellers, and purchasers of automatic weapons (machine guns). Fully automatic weapons made after May 19, 1986, are now banned earlier ones can be sold by federally licensed Class III firearm dealers on payment of tax and after passing a background check. 

The Gun Control Act of 1968 requires that firearms and ammunition manufacturers obtain a federal license and pay a fee of 50 per year for firearms manufacturers and 10 per year for ammunition makers unless the manufacturer makes destructive devices or armor-piercing ammunition, in which case the fee is 1,000 per year. 

The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994 made further changes to the system. License holders are now photographed and fingerprinted and are required to comply with applicable state and local laws. Dealers must report any thefts of weapons within 48 hours and must immediately respond to the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Ttibacco, and Firearms requests for firearm traces. 

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