From the linked post:
mike
Super Administrator
Posts: 1033
Registered: 11/17/2002
Location: Louisiana
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Mood: Weary
posted on 8/8/2004 at 03:24 AM
Spoke to an ATF agent regarding the AWB
I spoke to someone in the BATFE's legislative affairs division Friday... while he was not willing to give me a 100% certain answer on either of my two questions (modifying neutured post-ban guns to what would now be considered a pre-ban "assault weapon" configuration, and whether or not LE-stamped guns and mags would be legal for us to own), he did indicate that he saw no reason why either of the answers would not be yes. In particular, he said he had recently spoken casually with one of their attorneys, and she had indicated that, considering there would be no difference at all in post-expiration-the-shelf magzines and "assault weapons" vs. ban-era LE mags and guns, and considering there would be no law in existance preventing us from owning guns and mags marked as such, it wouldn't be a problem.
He did mention the following caveat, however... he said it was theoretically possible that LE mags and guns could be deemed "contraband" (in other words, LE items are illegal for us to own now, and "once contraband, always contraband" ) and would therefore be still prohibited from ownership after the ban expires. But it didn't sound like he felt this was likely.
I guess we'll have to wait for their official position to know for sure, but right now, it looks like we'll be fine.
BTW, for what it's worth, the agent was cordial, polite, friendly, etc.
--Mike