[Frank Ettin]

Originally Posted by divil

...Can something I did in the past - that was legal at the time I did it - become a crime later?....

But that's not what's happening here.

1. Was handing the guy the gun in the first place legal?
   
   Well, you say it was a qualifying temporary loan. But considering what happened later, that might be a tough story for the U. S. Attorney/federal grand jury/judge/jury at your trial to swallow. Is there any evidence corroborating the spin you're trying to put on the deal?
   
   Bottom line is that no one has to believe you. People being investigated for criminal conduct make up all kinds of exculpating stories
   
   
2. But taking the most charitable possible view of the story, there are really two acts.
   
   The first act was when you first handed your buddy your gun for what you now say was a loan satisfying the criteria necessary to make it legal.
   
   The second act was when the purpose for which the loan was made was fulfilled and you didn't take the gun back. This second act would be the crime.
   
   Let's say that there was no purpose for the loan, the fulfillment of which would be an identifiable event. In that case your prospects of selling the lawful loan story look pretty bleak.