Reading Room Document

Authority of the President to Restrict Munitions Imports Under the Arms Export Control Act

Restricting the import of certain classes of Russian firearms and ammunition that are deemed an unacceptable risk to public safety is a legitimate use of the President's authority under the Arms Export Control Act to restrict the import of munitions in furtherance of United States foreign policy. The OLC does not provide release dates for its opinions, so the release date listed is the date on which the opinion was authored. The original opinion is available at www.justice.gov/file/20106/download.

February 9, 1996