§5844 — Title 26 Internal Revenue Code | U.S. Code

§5844 Importation

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 › § 5844

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Firearms covered by the National Firearms Act cannot be imported into the United States unless the importer proves the firearm qualifies under narrow exceptions. It must be coming in for use by the federal government, a state, or a local government; for scientific or research purposes; or solely for testing or use as a model by a registered manufacturer, or as a sample by a registered importer or dealer.

Title 26, §5844

Internal Revenue Code — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

No firearm shall be imported or brought into the United States or any territory under its control or jurisdiction unless the importer establishes, under regulations as may be prescribed by the Secretary, that the firearm to be imported or brought in is—

(1)being imported or brought in for the use of the United States or any department, independent establishment, or agency thereof or any State or possession or any political subdivision thereof; or

(2)being imported or brought in for scientific or research purposes; or

(3)being imported or brought in solely for testing or use as a model by a registered manufacturer or solely for use as a sample by a registered importer or registered dealer;

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 5844, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 725, related to exportation, 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 5845, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 725, 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.