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

                           MAR 20 2000

                                                       903050:CHB
                                                       3311

Dear Mr. Bardwell:

This refers to your letter of February 17, 2000, in which you asked
if ATF would consider an FAL rifle assembled with a U.S. made
receiver and an FAL machinegun ejector block to be a machinegun.

The term "machinegun" is defined in section 5845(b) of the National
Firearms Act.  An FAL style rifle with a machinegun style ejector
block could meet the definition of a machinegun, or it might not
meet the definition of machinegun.  If the rifle was capable of
firing automatically, it would be a machinegun regardless of the
style of ejector block used.

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