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Which firearms were covered by the National Firearms Act of 1934?

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The National Firearms Act of 1934 was enacted as part of the "New Deal for Crime" to address gang-related violence, such as the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre. It imposed a $200 tax and registration requirements on the manufacture and transfer of specific types of firearms.1

The firearms covered by the Act include:

  • Machine guns1
  • Shotguns with barrels shorter than 18 inches1
  • Rifles with barrels shorter than 18 inches1
  • Firearm mufflers and silencers1
  • "Any other weapons" as specifically labeled by the NFA1

It is important to note that most firearms are excluded from the regulations of this Act.1