When I go to buy a hand gun I must have a permit from the sheriff. Without it I can't buy a handgun. When I purchased my Encore I filled in the paper work just like buying a rifle or shotgun but did not have a current handgun permit and was not asked if I had one or not. The Encore was registered as a muzzeloader rifle. All this so far is ok. Now I am told that I cannot buy a pistol barrel for that frame because it it regestered and a muzzeloader rifle. I'm going to talk to my local sheriff and see what he has to say today and post his answer. If he can give me one without going to ATF.