Appropriations--The NRA Filament

The 2006 Appropriations Act for State-Justice-Commerce includes this bit, illustrating the power of the gun lovers:

"SEC. 634. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States receiving appropriated funds under this Act or any other Act shall obligate or expend in any way such funds to pay administrative expenses or the compensation of any officer or employee of the United States to deny any application submitted pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2778(b)(1)(B) and qualified pursuant to 27 CFR Sec. 478.112 or .113, for a permit to import United States origin `curios or relics' firearms, parts, or ammunition."

Without researching further, I'd assume that an importer of say the "Brown Bess" British musket used in the 18th century still has to submit an application, but it can't be denied. It would be more logical, and accomplish the same goal, to revise the definition of a gun to exclude curios or relics. The problem with being logical is that the gun-lover who originated this (I'm blaming the NRA but it could have been an individual) has influence with the Appropriations Committee, not with the legislative committee and/or amending the basic legislation opens up a big battle over gun laws.