[This packet is what was sent to folks who had guns with Billistics that were seized in the raid mentioned, when their guns were returned.] UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT DISTRICT OF CONNECTICUT UNITED STATES OF AMERICA : V. : MISC. CRIMINAL NO. N.90.25(EBB) BILLISTICS, INCORPORATED : ORDER DIRECTING THE RETURN OF SEIZED FIREARMS TO THE REGISTERED OWNERS By motion filed May 31, 1990, the United States Government and Billistics, Incorporated ("Billistics") request that the court direct the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms ("BATF") to return 138 firearms seized pursuant to a federal search warrant. In their joint motion, the parties represented that: 1. On July 21, 1989, United States Magistrate F. Owen Eagan issued a federal search warrant authorizing BATF special agents to seize from Billistics firearms not registered to it in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. 2. On July 26, 1989, BATF agents executed the warrant, seizing the firearms listed as items 1 through 157 on the attached Exhibit 1. 3. Each of the firearms listed on Exhibit 1, with the exception of the firearms listed as items 25, 27, 43, 540 57, 58, 59, 88, 89, 93, 104, 139, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157, should be returned to the owner registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. The parties anticipate filing a separate motion concerning the disposition of the 18 exempted items. 4. This joint motion is not to be construed as an admission that Billistics or its officers violated any federal firearms law or that the agents of the Government acted improperly in obtaining a search warrant and seizing the firearms. The motion is merely an effort to expedite the return of 138 firearms to the registered owners. Based on the parties' joint motion, the Court grants the motion and issues the following order: IT IS ORDERED that the BATF shall, as soon as practicable, return to the owners registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record the 138 firearms listed on Exhibit 1, except for items 25, 27, 43, 54, 57, 58, 59, 88, 89, 93, 104, 139, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157; IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that the BATF shall retain custody of items 25, 27, 43, 54, 57, 58, 59, 88, 89, 93, 104, 139, 152, 153, 154, 155, 156, and 157 listed on Exhibit 1 until further order of the Court; and IT IS FINALLY ORDERED that the BATF shall provide each registered firearm owner with a copy of this Order without the attached Exhibit 1 at the time the firearm is returned. It is so ordered this 5th day of June, 1990, at New Haven, Connecticut. [signed] ELLEN BREE BURNS CHIEF UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE 141 Church Street New Haven, Connecticut [Letter accompanying order to persons whose firearms were returned] U.S. Department of Justice United States Attorney District of Connecticut June 5, 1990 141 Church Street 203/773-2108 Post Office Box 1824 FTS/645-2108 New Haven, Connecticut 06508 NOTICE TO REGISTERED OWNERS OF SEIZED FIREARMS This is to notify you that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms ("BATF") is returning your firearm(s) as directed by the a attached Court order. As explained in the order, on July 21, 1989, the District Court in Connecticut issued a federal search warrant authorizing BATF special agents to seize from Billistics, Incorporated ("Billistics") firearms not registered to it in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. BATF agents later executed the warrant, seizing numerous firearms including a firearm(s) registered to you. As stated in a motion jointly filed by the United States Government and Billistics seeking the attached order, the motion is not to be construed as an admission that Billistics or its officers violated any federal firearms law or that the agents of the Government acted improperly in obtaining a search warrant and seizing the firearms. The motion merely sought an expeditious way to return the firearms to the registered owners. ACKNOWLEDGMENT This is to acknowledge that I received ____ (insert number) firearm(s) registered to me. ------------------- ------------ Name Date