This is the letter I recieved in reply from BATF Firearms Technology Branch 
Chef, Edward Owen.
I retyped it, so I don't guarantee it to be letter for letter accurate to what he 
sent me.  Text in brackets [like this] was inserted or changed by me (for 
example, I wrote the word section, instead of using the section symbol, as I 
don't know if it is the same character in everyone's www browsers).













DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY
BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20226

JAN 10 1995

								E:CE:F:TE:RAT
									3310.0

M. William R. Mills
2562 N. Dewey Avenue
Fresno, California 93722

Dear Mr. Mills:

This refers to your recent letter in which you request classification of a sound 
suppressing device for a paint pellet gun which you plan to make for yourself.

Under Title 18 United States Code (U.S.C.), Chapter 44 [section] 921 (a) 
(24), the terms "firearm silencer" and "firearm muffler" mean any device for 
silencing, muffling, or diminishing the report of a portable firearm, including 
any combination of parts, designed or redesigned, and intended for use in 
assembling or fabricating a firearm silencer silencer of muffler, and any part 
intended only for use in such assembly or fabrication.

We cannot render a formal classification based solely on drawings and a 
written description.  In order to classify your device a sample must be 
submitted to this office for examination.  Upon completion of our 
examination, you will be provided with a letter of classification, and the 
device will be returned provided that it is not found to be subject to the 
provisions of the National Firearms Act (NFA).  If the device is found to be 
subject to the NFA it could not be returned unless proper registration could 
be established.

We cans state that from an examination of the submitted material, the device 
would likely be classified as a firearm silencer.

If you care to submit a sample for classification, a device may be forwarded 
to:

	Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
	Firearms Technology Branch, Room 6450
	650 Massachusetts Avenue NW
	Washington, DC 20226

We trust the forgoing has been responsive to your inquiry.  If we may be of 
further assistance, please contact us.

						Sincerely yours,
						[signature]
						Edward M. Owen, Jr.
					Chief, Firearms Technology Branch