National Firearms Act, Pub. L. No. 73-474, 48 Stat. 1236 (1934).
| dc.coverage.spatial | United States (Federal) | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-15T02:24:37Z | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-03-17T13:01:13Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 1934 | |
| dc.description.abstract | Requires registration and taxation of certain firearms such as machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and suppressors, and regulates their manufacture, transfer, and possession under federal law. | |
| dc.description.exceptions | Applies only to specific categories of regulated firearms such as machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and suppressors; ordinary rifles, shotguns, and most handguns are not covered. | |
| dc.description.lawtext | An Act to provide for the taxation of manufacturers, importers, and dealers in certain firearms and machine guns, to tax the sale or other disposition of such weapons, and to require the registration of such firearms. Every manufacturer, importer, and dealer in firearms shall register with the Secretary of the Treasury and shall pay the special occupational tax imposed by this Act. No person shall transfer a firearm except in pursuance of a written order of the transferee on a form issued by the Secretary, and the transfer shall be subject to the tax imposed by this Act. Every person possessing a firearm covered by this Act shall register such firearm in accordance with the regulations prescribed by the Secretary. Any person who violates or fails to comply with any provision of this Act shall be subject to the penalties provided by law. | |
| dc.description.summary | This law establishes federal controls over certain types of firearms considered especially dangerous, including machine guns, short-barreled rifles and shotguns, and firearm suppressors. It requires these weapons to be registered with the federal government and imposes taxes and regulatory procedures on their manufacture and transfer. The law was designed to discourage criminal use of such weapons by creating strict documentation and taxation requirements while allowing lawful ownership under regulated conditions. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://dspace.firearmsresearchcenter.org/id/frc0001/5185 | |
| dc.relation.isreferencedby | https://lawlibrary.gov/us/statutes/1934/national-firearms-act.html | |
| dc.subject | POSSESSION | |
| dc.title | National Firearms Act, Pub. L. No. 73-474, 48 Stat. 1236 (1934). |