§5842 — Title 26 Internal Revenue Code | U.S. Code

§5842 Identification of Firearms

Title 26 › Subtitle Subtitle E— Alcohol, Tobacco, and Certain Other Excise Taxes › Chapter 53— MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, AND CERTAIN OTHER FIREARMS › Subchapter B— General Provisions and Exemptions › Part I— GENERAL PROVISIONS › § 5842

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Anyone who manufactures, imports, or makes a firearm must mark it with a serial number that cannot easily be removed or altered, plus the maker's name and any other identification required by regulation. If you possess a firearm that lacks these markings, you must have it marked with a serial number assigned by the government. Destructive devices are identified under separate rules set by regulation.

Title 26, §5842

Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Each manufacturer and importer and anyone making a firearm shall identify each firearm, other than a destructive device, manufactured, imported, or made by a serial number which may not be readily removed, obliterated, or altered, the name of the manufacturer, importer, or maker, and such other identification as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe.

(b)Any person who possesses a firearm, other than a destructive device, which does not bear the serial number and other information required by subsection (a) of this section shall identify the firearm with a serial number assigned by the Secretary and any other information the Secretary may by regulations prescribe.

(c)Any firearm classified as a destructive device shall be identified in such manner as the Secretary may by regulations prescribe.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5842, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 725, related to books, records, and returns, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 90–618. Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in prior section 5843, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 725, as amended by act Sept. 2, 1958, Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 203(e), 72 Stat. 1427, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 90–618.

Amendments

1976—Pub. L. 94–455 struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary” wherever appearing.