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18 U.S.C. § 921

Definitions

United States · Title 18 — CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE · Status: effective

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18 U.S.C. § 921, Definitions, United States, version 1 as recorded 2026-07-09, yourstate.us, https://yourstate.us/provision/449015
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As used in this chapter— The term “destructive device” means— any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas— The term “antique firearm” means— any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica— The term “armor piercing ammunition” means— The term “crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year” does not include— The term “engaged in the business” means— The term “to predominantly earn a profit” means that the intent underlying the sale or disposition of firearms is predominantly one of obtaining pecuniary gain, as opposed to other intents, such as improving or liquidating a personal firearms collection: Provided, That proof of profit shall not be required as to a person who engages in the regular and repetitive purchase and disposition of firearms for criminal purposes or terrorism. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “terrorism” means activity, directed against United States persons, which— is intended— The term “with the principal objective of livelihood and profit” means that the intent underlying the sale or disposition of firearms is predominantly one of obtaining livelihood and pecuniary gain, as opposed to other intents, such as improving or liquidating a personal firearms collection: Provided, That proof of profit shall not be required as to a person who engages in the regular and repetitive purchase and disposition of firearms for criminal purposes or terrorism. For purposes of this paragraph, the term “terrorism” means activity, directed against United States persons, which— is intended— The term “school zone” means— The term “handgun” means— Except as provided in subparagraphs (B) and (C), the term “misdemeanor crime of domestic violence” means an offense that— A person shall not be considered to have been convicted of such an offense for purposes of this chapter, unless— in the case of a prosecution for an offense described in this paragraph for which a person was entitled to a jury trial in the jurisdiction in which the case was tried, either The term “secure gun storage or safety device” means— Whether a relationship constitutes a dating relationship under subparagraph (A) shall be determined based on consideration of— The term “verified electronic notification”, with respect to a communication to a chief law enforcement officer required under section 922(c)(2), means a digital communication— that includes a method for verifying—

Legislative history

The public laws that enacted or amended this section. Tallies are for the whole bill as it passed each chamber — often an omnibus covering far more than this provision — not a vote on this section alone. The law that originally enacted this section predates the public laws loaded here, so only later amendments are listed.

  • Amended byPub. L. 93-639(S. 1083)1975-01-04
    Amendments of 1973 to Federal Law Relating to Explosives
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 99-308(S. 49)1986-05-19
    Firearms Owners' Protection Act
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 99-360(S. 2414)1986-07-08
    A bill to amend title 18, United States Code.
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 99-408(H.R. 3132)1986-08-28
    Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act of 1985
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 101-647(S. 3266)1990-11-29
    Crime Control Act of 1990
    House: 313–1Senate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 103-159(H.R. 1025)1993-11-30
    Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act
  • Amended byPub. L. 103-322(H.R. 3355)1994-09-13
    Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
  • Amended byPub. L. 104-88(H.R. 2539)1995-12-29
    ICC Termination Act of 1995
    House: 417–8Senate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 104-208(H.R. 3610)1996-09-30
    Omnibus Consolidated Appropriations Act, 1997
  • Amended byPub. L. 105-277(H.R. 4328)1998-10-21
    Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act, 1999
  • Amended byPub. L. 107-273(H.R. 2215)2002-11-02
    21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act
    House: 400–4Senate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 107-296(H.R. 5005)2002-11-25
    Homeland Security Act of 2002
  • Amended byPub. L. 109-162(H.R. 3402)2006-01-05
    Violence Against Women and Department of Justice Reauthorization Act of 2005
    House: 415–4Senate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 115-232(H.R. 5515)2018-08-13
    John S. McCain National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019
  • Amended byPub. L. 117-103(H.R. 2471)2022-03-15
    Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022
    House: no recorded tallySenate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 117-159(S. 2938)2022-06-25
    Bipartisan Safer Communities Act
    House: 230–190Senate: no recorded tally
  • Amended byPub. L. 118-159(H.R. 5009)2024-12-23
    Servicemember Quality of Life Improvement and National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025
    House: 281–140Senate: no recorded tally