Yes, a firearm that does not meet the sporting clause yet is imported by a LE/Gov agency can then be sold on the civilian market (except NFA, of course). Here is an ATF ruling that requires an individual LEO to optain department approval before he can have a non-sporting firearm imported for his use. It states that once in the hands of the officer, there are no prohibitions on him selling it to civilians. That is why (in theory) departmental approval is necessary, to prevent wholesale violation of 922.
Quote:
27 CFR 178.112: IMPORTATION BY A LICENSED IMPORTER
Applications to import surplus military firearms or nonsporting firearms or ammunition for individual law enforcement officers for official use must be accompanied by the agency?s purchase order.
ATF Rul. 80-8
Pursuant to section 925(a)(1), the Bureau has previously allowed the importation of surplus military firearms and nonsporting firearms for individual law enforcement officers for official use. In approving such importation applications, the Bureau required federal firearms licensees to obtain from the agency employing the officer a certificate of the chief law enforcement officer stating that the firearm ammunition is for use in the performance of official duties. However, once these firearms are imported for the individual officer for "official use," there is no prohibition in the law against the officer's resale or retention of the firearms for personal use. The purpose of section 925(a)(1) is to permit importation of firearms for the exclusive use of government agencies. The statute was not intended and may not be used as a vehicle by which unimportable firearms can be introduced into ordinary commercial channels in the United States.
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http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pu...3004/index.htm