I am currently writing an editorial in response to an anti-gun editorial in my local paper. I am making the point that many Americans think that "assault" weapons are Al-Capone-like machine guns and I want to reference the law that already outlaws such firearms. Can anyone tell me where to go to get the correct date and title of this law? Thanks.
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request info re: weapon ban on machine guns
- Thread starter Charley
- Start date
The law that banned new machineguns is the '86 Firearm Owners Protection Act.
The law governing pre-86 machineguns is 27 C.F.R. Part 179.
Both can be found in ATF P 5300.4 - Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide 2000 (1/00).
§ 922. Unlawful acts
(o)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for anyperson to transfer or possess a machinegun.
(2) This subsection does not apply with respect to --
(A) a transfer to or by, or possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or
(B) any lawful transfer or lawful possession of a machinegun that was lawfully possessed before the date this subsection takes effect.
The law governing pre-86 machineguns is 27 C.F.R. Part 179.
Both can be found in ATF P 5300.4 - Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide 2000 (1/00).
Danindetroit
New member
Firearms laws
I think the NRA might have all the laws and what they did. I think in 1934 the law banned machineguns, sawed off shotguns(barrells under 18 inches). In 1965 and 1968 was the laws banning mail ordersales of guns and made companies put serial #'s on guns. The first president Bush Outlawed importing certain foreighn made weapons and some military weapons that were easily converted back to full-auto. As far as I know most Former pres Bush's guns that were banned made design changes that made it virtually impossible to change them back to selectfire versions by using different bolts and they are now mad in USA.
I think the NRA might have all the laws and what they did. I think in 1934 the law banned machineguns, sawed off shotguns(barrells under 18 inches). In 1965 and 1968 was the laws banning mail ordersales of guns and made companies put serial #'s on guns. The first president Bush Outlawed importing certain foreighn made weapons and some military weapons that were easily converted back to full-auto. As far as I know most Former pres Bush's guns that were banned made design changes that made it virtually impossible to change them back to selectfire versions by using different bolts and they are now mad in USA.
The 1934 NFA required paying a tax on assorted weapons, including machineguns. Didn't ban them.
The 1968 GCA was the one prohibiting sales across state lines by nonlicensees.
The 1986 FOPA banned the registration of new machineguns for civilian use. Under their logic, since they won't let you pay the tax and register it, it remains an unregistered machinegun and thus illegal to possess.
The Bush 1989 import banned prohibited firearms ATF didn't consider "sporting". Nothing to do with "easily convertible."
The 1968 GCA was the one prohibiting sales across state lines by nonlicensees.
The 1986 FOPA banned the registration of new machineguns for civilian use. Under their logic, since they won't let you pay the tax and register it, it remains an unregistered machinegun and thus illegal to possess.
The Bush 1989 import banned prohibited firearms ATF didn't consider "sporting". Nothing to do with "easily convertible."
The first president Bush Outlawed importing certain foreighn made weapons and some military weapons that were easily converted back to full-auto. As far as I know most Former pres Bush's guns that were banned made design changes that made it virtually impossible to change them back to selectfire versions by using different bolts and they are now mad in USA.
It sounds like you may be confusing the Bush EO-driven redefinition of "Sporting Purposes" for importation, and the early '80s ATF crackdown on open-bolt semiauto designs.