TEXT OF RELEVANT "RULES"

(updated 07-24-06)

The 1989 import ban ended the import of certain semiautomatic firearms. BATFE has the authority to create administrative law to implement the Federal ban. In short, BATFE has declared that any firearm that is banned from import, cannot be legally assembled in the United States (except for Government and Law Enforcement Sales) from imported parts. BATFE identified 20 major componants, and determined if no more than 10 of these 20 major parts were of foreign manufacture, then the firearm would be considered US made and exempt from the import ban.

"1989 IMPORT BAN"

18 USC Chapter 44 as amended by Public Law 101-647 (enacted 11-29-90) and 27 CFR part 178 as amended 06-25-93.
§ 178.39 Assembly of semiautomatic rifles or shotguns.
(a) No person shall assemble a semiautomatic rifle or any shotgun using more than 10 of the imported parts listed in paragraph (c) of this section if the assembled firearm is prohibited from importation under section 925(d)(3) as not being particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes.

925(d)(3) includes FN FAL (L1A1) style semiautomatic rifle with folding stock, military style stock with separate pistol grip, threaded muzzle, flash hider, grenade launcher, bayonet lug, or night sights. Note: FN FAL (L1A1) style semiautomatic rifles having a thumbhole style stock without the above features were approved for importation from 1989 to 1994. In 1994 BATFE changed their interpretation to eliminate the exemption for firearms with thumbhole stocks.

(c) For purposes of this section, the term "imported parts" are:

Frames, receivers, receiver castings, forging or stampings
Barrels
Barrel extensions
Mounting blocks (trunions)
Muzzle attachments
Bolts
Bolt carriers
Operating rods
Gas pistons
Trigger housings
Triggers
Hammers
Sears
Disconnectors
Buttstocks
Pistol grips
Forearms, handguards
Magazine bodies
Magazine Followers
Magazine Floorplates

FAL Specific Parts

The FAL does not have all of the parts listed. It has no mounting block, barrel extension, operating rod or disconnector. BATFE considers the FAL cocking handle to be an operating rod. The FAL has only the following potentially "imported parts"

Receiver (upper receiver)
Barrel
Muzzle attachment
Bolt
Bolt carrier
Operating rod (cocking handle)
Gas piston
Trigger housing (lower receiver)
Trigger
Hammer
Sear
Buttstock
Pistol grip
Handguard
Magazine body
Magazine follower
Magazine floorplate

That is 17 parts - 7 of which must be replaced with US made parts for the finished rifle to have "no more than 10" imported parts from the list. Many of the available US parts are of high quality, while some are not - see the links page for manufacturer contact information. Hammer, trigger, and sear are usually only available as a set. ARS recommends parts from the following US manufacturers.

Receiver (DSA, DCI)
Barrel (DSA)
Muzzle attachment (ARS, DSA, TAPCO, FSE)
Bolt carrier (TAPCO - Israeli, DSA - paratrooper)
Cocking handle (SM, DSA, TAPCO, FSE)
Gas piston (FSE, DSA, TAPCO, DCI/NODAK)
Lower receiver (DSA)
Trigger (FSE, DSA, CAI - inch pattern)
Hammer (FSE, DSA, CAI - inch pattern)
Sear (FSE, DSA, CAI - Inch pattern)
Buttstock (PSAW)
Pistol grip (DSA, FSE, IAI, TAPCO, FALCON - inch pattern))
Handguard (DSA, TAPCO, PSAW)
Magazine body (DSA - 10 round)
Magazine follower (FALCON)
Magazine floorplate (FALCON)