A prior section 5845, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 725, related to the importation of firearms into the United States or its territory, prior to the general revisions of this chapter by Pub. L. 90–618.

Provisions similar to those comprising this section were contained in prior section 5848, act Aug. 16, 1954, ch. 736, 68A Stat. 727, as amended by acts Sept. 2, 1958, Pub. L. 85–859, title II, § 203(f), 72 Stat. 1427; June 1, 1960, Pub. L. 86–478, § 3, 74 Stat. 149, prior to the general revision of this chapter by Pub. L. 90–618.

1986—Subsec. (a)(7). Pub. L. 99–308, § 109(b), substituted “any silencer (as defined in section 921 of title 18, United States Code)” for “a muffler or a silencer for any firearm whether or not such firearm is included within this definition”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–308, § 109(a), substituted “any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun,” for “any combination of parts designed and intended for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun,”.

1976—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), struck out “or his delegate” after “Secretary”.

Subsec. (f). Pub. L. 94–455, § 1906(b)(13)(A), (J), struck out “or his delegate” after “shotgun or shotgun shell which the Secretary” and “of the Treasury or his delegate” after “or any other device which the Secretary”.

Amendment by Pub. L. 99–308 effective 180 days after May 19, 1986, see section 110(a) of Pub. L. 99–308, set out as a note under section 921 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure.

Section effective on first day of first month following October 1968, except as to persons possessing firearms as defined in subsec. (a) of this section which are not registered to such persons in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, see section 207 of Pub. L. 90–618, set out as a note under section 5801 of this title.