Any point to C&R?

[mooreshawnm]

My C&R licence expired years ago. Right about when the WW2 toys were drying up. Will there ever be another (non Mosin) group of rifles imported? Is it worth getting it again?

Oh and check this out:
Welcome, mooreshawnm.
You last visited: November 11, 2009 at 09:06 AM

 

[Don P]

That's up to you. I have had a C&R for over 6 years now and have purchased 1 rifle on it. Finances changed so collecting went to the far back burner. I basically keep it now for the parts discounts and for just in case something comes along

 

[NINEX19]

mooreshawnm,
I see that you are in WA. There is something more important to consider about getting a C&R in this state than if there will ever be more surplus available.

Since the passing of I-594 last year, C&R transfers are now not exempt from going through an FFL for the buy and sale, background check, and ATF form 4473.

My opinion is that it is a complete waste of time and money as you will gain ZERO benefit from it.

 

[Jbar4Ranch]

As far as federal law is concerned, if a gun is 50 years old, or more, it's C&R, so anything made prior to today's date in 1967, or earlier, or can be shipped to a Type 3 C&R FFL holder. But apparently Washington state law, such as mentioned above, trumps federal law. I've never read it, but a Type 3 FFL holder has to log acquisitions and dispositions in a bound book just as any other FFL holder, so it seems the Type 3 FFL could just make the WA required background check call, unless WA law or BATFE says otherwise.
I purchase several C&R guns every year, so it's well worth the $30 every three years for me, rather than paying an additional $25 per transfer to my friendly neighborhood Type 1 FFL holder.

Early Remington M700's, Winchester M70's, Weatherby's, and a host of handguns are C&R eligible under the 50+ year regulation. Fifty years wasn't that long ago...

 

[reddog81]

The dealer / importer selection has been kind of dried up but there's always auctions. The CMP recognizes the license as one of their requirements to buy from them.

It kind of depends on what you're buying. The hoops you have to jump through aren't too erroneous but I'm not sure I'll renew mine when it expires.

 

[OneFreeTexan]

More C&R's than ever before

We are looking back to pre 1964,,,,does that date ring a bell... If it is in original condition and not modified it is a C& R.

Seems to me, far better that some of the old dusty military from wherever, now there are American made guns that were great then and are great now. I have found online dealers that understand C&R and I have picked up some incredible buys.

 

[Don P]

I have come across dealers that don't care about the age of the firearm. A S&W made in the 50's is still being sold as a modern day firearm and the FFL does not have to sell it as a C&R if he chooses not to. Most FFL's will sell it as a modern firearm because of the fear the ATF imposes. Dealers are not willing to risk their license for the sake of selling a 60 year old revolver as a C&R that is NOT on the ATF's list

 

[Gaucho Gringo]

Trouble is state laws have made C&R license useless on the whole West Coast. I let mine expire, hated to do so but it was useless where I live. Would like to move but due to age, disabilities & finances makes that only a dream unless I win the lottery. Wish that there was some way that trump could nullify these illegal laws.

 

[scoobysnacker]

Just where I live (Louisiana), I don't think so. I considered it awhile when I was getting surplus guns, and decided against it.

• my state doesn't restrict anything that a C&R license would then allow
• shipping to a local FFL seems to be a lot cheaper, and I found a FFL that will do a pistol transfer for $10
• not having the license, I'm not required to keep a log book and won't be called to review it.

If I were in a state that limited what I could own but a C&R would give me more options, then I would consider it. Similarly, if the shipping would balance out, it might be more worth it... but I've seen guns that ship for $20, but $40+ as a C&R. With my FFL guy, I come out ahead by doing it the regular way, and I don't have to stay on top of any books.

 

[rr2241tx]

Texas chose to retain their contiguous state restriction, so C&R is not worthless here. My friends' widows have about driven me into the Poor House the last few years. My wife hopes there's somebody left to buy my guns when it's my time.

 

[Armed_Chicagoan]

My wife hopes there's somebody left to buy my guns when it's my time.

She'll have no problem if she sells them for what you told her you paid for them.

 

[HankC1]

Holding C&R helps me to show I am legal to own firearms when I do face to face since I'm not a concealed carrying license holder, more and more face to face only want to sell to folks with concealed carrying licenses or go thru FFL to make sure buyers are legal to own firearms. I have only bought 2 C&Rs in the past 5 or 6 yrs.

 

[BoogieMan]

In NJ it makes no sense at all. NJ does not recognize the C&R license. Not sure how your home state works. It is worth investigating. Call your State Attorney General office or at least check on a message board such as this, except has a local presence to you.

 

[carguychris]

Texas chose to retain their contiguous state restriction, so C&R is not worthless here.

I'm a bit late to this party, but I believe you are incorrect.

From the TX Penal Code:

Sec. 46.07. INTERSTATE PURCHASE. A resident of this state may, if not otherwise precluded by law, purchase firearms, ammunition, reloading components, or firearm accessories in another state. This authorization is enacted in conformance with 18 U.S.C. Section 922(b)(3)(A).

Acts 1973, 63rd Leg., p. 883, ch. 399, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1974. Renumbered from Penal Code Sec. 46.08 by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 900, Sec. 1.01, eff. Sept. 1, 1994.
Amended by:
Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 280 (S.B. 1188), Sec. 1, eff. May 30, 2009.

The previous version of Section 46.07 before the 2009 amendment said "contiguous states" in place of "another state." This referred to an obsolete contiguous-state restriction in the 68 GCA. After the contiguous-state provision was struck from federal law, Section 46.07 became ambiguous and arguably unenforceable because it didn't clearly address non-contiguous states; however, the post-amendment version makes it affirmatively clear that out-of-state long-gun purchases are allowed.

FWIW I allowed my C&R license to lapse several years ago simply because I wasn't using it very often and I didn't want to pay the renewal fee.

 

[North East Redneck]

I'm in MA, I know a guy at work has one. I don't see the point in getting one here.

 

[Cheapshooter]

For the thirty bucks it was worth it just incase there is a new influx of great milsurp guns. Just mailed my 5th renewal yesterday. Hoping that with a new political climate in Washington (DC, not Left Coast) there will be more things imported.

 

[Bill DeShivs]

If you are into small guns, ALL of the guns that GCA '68 banned from importation will be C&Rs soon.

 

[James K]

While politics does influence imports, the bad/good news is that we have not had a major war for 70 years or so, so the supply of military surplus weapons is drying up. Those huge warehouses full of Mausers, Enfields, Carcanos, and Mosin-Nagants just don't exist any more; the guns are gone. (Dick Winter, VP of Interarms, once wondered aloud, "Where do they go, where do they all go?")

And current military small arms are made in smaller numbers (no more armies of millions) and rifles are usually selective fire, less likely to be released to the civilian market. Add the current leftist/anti-war political sentiment, and I doubt we will ever again see the surplus arms market that we had in the 1945-1970 period.

Jim

 

[OneFreeTexan]

They are still here

I agree that the barrel fills of Enfields, Nagents, etc, etc, at the local harware store for $9.95 are gone, However that does not mean the guns themselves are gone, Many were bought to sporterize, and it never happened, Other were bought "just because'.. The guns are still there, maybe in a back closet, a garage or an attic. Those guns were almost indestructible. We just need to look a little harder for them. I can't believe the good buys I have made at garage sales, and such..."Oh, that old gun, I don't think it works,, gramps has it for years. Yeah, give me ten bucks for it"
The search makes it even more fun..

 

[emcon5]

shipping to a local FFL seems to be a lot cheaper, and I found a FFL that will do a pistol transfer for $10

Do you think you will buy three in the next three years? If so, then you break even. Does LA charge a fee for background checks? My state does.

not having the license, I'm not required to keep a log book and won't be called to review it.

Extremely unlikely. Yes, it is possible that ATF could call and ask to audit your book and firearms, but in reality that almost never happens, and if it did, they can't just show up at your door and demand to see your bound book, you can make an appointment and do it at their office. See 18 USC 923 (g)(1)(D).