---------------------------------------------------------------------- This letter is on the Letterhead of the Director, Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, Washington, D.C. 20226, Sep 13 1994 Dear Manufacturer: The purpose of this letter is to inform you that the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, was recently passed by Congress, and became effective September 13, 1994. This law may affect firearm magazines produced by your firm, and/or magazines supplied with certain firearms you manufacture. This law prohibits the transfer or possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices manufactured after the effective date of the statute. The prohibition does not apply to any large capacity ammunition feeding devices lawfully possessed on or before the effective date of the Act. Large capacity ammunition feeding devices manufactured or imported after the effective date may only be transferred to government agencies and specifically listed law enforcement personnel. Violations of the above-described prohibition are punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000 and imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both. The Act defines a large capacity ammunition feeding device as a magazine, belt, drum, feed strip, or similar device manufactured_after_ the_date_of_enactment_of_the_Violent_Crime_Control_and_Law_Enforcement_ Act_of_1994 that has a capacity of, or that can be readily restored or converted to accept, more than 10 rounds of ammunition. This definition does not include an attached tubular device designed to accept and capable of operating only with .22 caliber rimfire ammunition. Any feeding devices you produce for normal commercial distribution after the effective date of the law may not have an ammunition capacity of more than 10 cartridges. If you plan to modify the design of feeding devices originally intended to accept more than 10 cartridges, the modified devices must be constructed such that they cannot be readily restored or converted to accept more than 10 rounds of ammunition. It is suggested that any redesigned/modified ammunition feeding devices be submitted to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms' (ATF) Firearms Technology Branch for testing to determine if the devices can be readily restored or converted to accept more than 10 cartridges. Further, large capacity ammunition feeding devices manufactured after the date of enactment shall be identified by a serial number which clearly indicates that the device was manufactured or imported after the effective date and such other markings as the Secretary shall by regulation prescribe. Until regulations are issued, any large capacity feeding devices you produce after the law becomes effective must be marked with a serial number that clearly shows that the device was manufactured or imported after the effective date of the law. All large capacity ammunition feeding devices you produce or import may have the same serial number. Additionally, large capacity feeding devices must be marked with the name, city, and State of the manufacturer and in the case of an imported device, the name of the manufacturer and country of origin. Further, large capacity ammunition feeding devices manufactured or imported after the effective date of the law must also be marked "RESTRICTED LAW ENFORCEMENT/GOVERNMENT USE ONLY." The above markings must be cast, stamped, or engraved on the exterior of the device. In the case of a magazine, the markings must be placed on the magazine body. ATF will be preparing regulations concerning these changes to the law. When the regulations are published, a copy will be provided for your use. If you have any questions concerning the ammunition feeding devices that are now subject to restrictions on possession and transfer, please contact us. Sincerely yours, (signed) John W. Magaw Director