(a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, and to the extent applicable to the functions transferred to the Department of Justice by the Homeland Security Act of 2002:

(1) The regulations contained in 27 CFR part 46, subpart F (Distribution of Cigarettes), part 47 (Importation of Arms, Ammunition and Implements of War), part 55 (Commerce in Explosives), part 178 (Commerce in Firearms and Ammunition), and part 179 (Machine Guns, Destructive Devices, and Certain Other Firearms) as in effect on January 23, 2003 (see 27 CFR chapter I, revised as of July 1, 2002), shall continue in effect with respect to the operations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives according to their terms until amended, modified, superseded, terminated, set aside, or revoked in accordance with law.

(2) The regulations promulgated by the Department of the Treasury relating to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, or by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms of the Department of the Treasury, in effect as of January 23, 2003, shall continue to apply to the operations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives until amended, modified, superseded, terminated, set aside, or revoked in accordance with law, unless the application of such regulations would be inconsistent with statutes or regulations applicable to the Department of Justice.

(3) All orders, delegations, determinations, rules, personnel actions, permits, agreements, grants, contracts, certificates, licenses, registrations, and privileges of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms completed or in effect as of January 23, 2003, and all matters and proceedings pending therein on January 23, 2003, shall continue in effect according to their terms, to the extent that they relate to the authorities or functions transferred to the Department of Justice pursuant to the Homeland Security Act of 2002, until amended, modified, superseded, terminated, set aside, or revoked in accordance with law, unless such application would be inconsistent with statutes or regulations applicable to the Department of Justice.

(4) References in such regulations, orders, delegations, determinations, rules, personnel actions, permits, agreements, grants, contracts, certificates, licenses, registrations, and privileges to the Secretary of Treasury, the Department of Treasury, the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, or the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms or its officers, employees, agents or organizational units or functions shall be deemed to refer, as appropriate, on and after January 24, 2003, to the Attorney General, the Department of Justice, the Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives or to its officers, employees, or agents or its corresponding organizational units or functions, respectively.

(b) Exceptions. Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraph (a) of this section, 27 CFR part 72, and 27 CFR 46.155, 178.152 and 179.182 as in effect on January 23, 2003, shall not be deemed applicable to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.