DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
                BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
                         WASHINGTON, DC 20226

                           AUG 27 1998          F:FPD:FTB:CHB
                                                3311


Dear Mr. :

This refers to your letter in which you ask about replacing
receivers on semiautomatic assault weapons made by various
manufacturers.

It is unlawful for any person to manufacture, transfer, or
possess a semiautomatic assault weapon except as provided in
section 922(v) of Title 18, United States Code.  A semiautomatic
assault weapon which was lawfully possessed on the date of
enactment of this section [September 13, 1994] may still be
lawfully possessed and transferred.

This exemption would not apply to a "pre-ban" semiautomatic
assault weapon having a receiver which has been replaced by a
different manufacturer after September 13, 1994.  If the frame or
a receiver for a semiautomatic assault weapon is defective, the
replacement must be made by the weapon's manufacturer or
importer.  The replacement receiver must be marked with the same
serial number as the original receiver, and the original receiver
must be destroyed.

We trust that the foregoing has been responsive to your inquiry. 
If you have further questions concerning this matter, please
contact us.

                           Sincerely, yours,

                               [signed]
                          Edward M. Owen, Jr.
                   Chief, Firearms Technology Branch