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

               [undated but received early March, 1999]

                                                           901040:DB
                                                           5320

Dear :

This is in response to your letter dated October 3, 1998,
requesting assistance in divorcing a registered sear from the host
rifle.  We are sorry for the delay in our response.

The weapon that you intend to make is a firearm as defined in
section 5845(a)(3) of the National Firearms Act (NFA), the term
includes a rifle having a barrel less than 16 inches and overall
length of less than 26 inches.  In order for an individual to
possess such a firearm, the individual must first have registered
the short barreled rifle on ATF Form 1, pay a $200 making tax, and
receive approval of the application.  We have enclosed blank ATF
Form 1 and a set of fingerprint cards for your use in making an NFA
firearm.  Please be reminded that you may not separate the kit from
the host rifle until after you have received your approved form.

There is not a problem with you making this firearm because in it's
present configuration it is already a grandfathered pre-ban assault
weapon.

I hope that the foregoing has been responsive to your inquiry.  If
we may be of further assistance, please contact us at (202) 927-
8330.



                           Sincerely yours,

                               [signed]
                            Kent M. Cousins
                  Chief, National Firearms Act Branch