This should gray things up:
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20226
AUG 05 1997
Dear : E:RE:FN:GS
179.11/97-1858
This is in response to your letter of March 25, 1997, regarding a
"suppressed machinegun" registered to your client. You advise that
the machinegun is equipped with an integral silencer and there is
no registration document for the silencer, but the silencer is
removable from the machinegun.
We consider the combination of a machinegun and silencer to be one
unit subject to registration when the silencer is integral to the
machinegun, such as when it is permanently affixed to the
machinegun (not just to the barrel). A removable silencer is a
separate unit, which requires registration.
An existing, unregistered silencer may not be registered by your
client. In order for your client to continue to possess the
silencer, it must be permanently affixed to the machinegun.
We apologize for the delay in responding to your request. Should
any additional information be needed, please contact us at (202)
927-8330.
Sincerely yours,
Nereida W. Levine
Chief, National Firearms Act Branch
DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
WASHINGTON, DC 20226
E:CE:FT:RAT
3311
JUL 15 1997
Dear :
This refers to Your letter of May 17, 1997, in which you ask if you
could buy and possess a ported barrel designed to fit onto a
Swedish K and use it with your registered firearm silencer which is
designed for use with the Smith & Wesson (S&W), Model 76
machinegun.
As defined Title 18 United States Code (U.S.C.), chapter 44,
section 921(a) (24), the term "firearm silencer" and "firearm
muffler" means any device for silencing, muffling, or diminishing
the report of a portable firearm, including any combination of
parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in assembling
or fabricating a firearm silencer or muffler, and any part intended
only for use in such assembly or fabrication.
A firearm barrel, ported and threaded at its muzzle, which is
intended for use in the assembly of a firearm silencer would meet
the above definition, Therefore, the barrel in question would have
to be registered in accordance with the provisions of the National
Firearms Act.
We trust that the foregoing has been responsive to your inquiry. If
we may be of further assistance, please contact us.
Sincerely yours,
Edward M. Owen, Jr.
Chief, Firearms Technology Branch