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January 31, 2006, 12:34 AM | #1 |
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Join Date: March 16, 2005
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Would this be a NFA Firearm?
I have been reading quit a bit on nfa guidelines and definitions latley and I am pretty sure about what a machinegun is. "Trigger" is the term I am concerned about. Could a micro switch possibly be considered as a trigger if a semi automatic rifle trigger(in the conventional sense) is powered by an electric motor? If I want to check with ATF, how willing are they to help with classifying a customized gun? I want to stay legal and fines and/or prison are not what I want. The crank type triggers seem to be OK. The so called gatlin 22 cal. are OK. This is pretty much the same as what is availible but is motor powered rather than hand crank. This is the only place I know of on the forum for answers. 700+ rpm sounds like machinegun fire. I only takes one phone call from a anti-gun to send agents my way,from the way I understand it. This would be a truely recreational firearm. Any help or advice on how to go about checking on legality of such a firearm will help.
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January 31, 2006, 12:50 AM | #2 |
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You would need to write to the NFA branch of the BATFE for an opinion. You can also order the complete book of NFA laws from them for free. The address should be on their web site.
My non-legally binding opinion - As long as only one shot is fired for each time the trigger is pulled, it is not a machine gun. If you add some external device to pull the trigger really fast, it is still not a machine gun. |
January 31, 2006, 12:54 AM | #3 |
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Thats what I think too. Just as long as a tigger can not be thought of as an electronic trigger! But Hey! Who has ever heard of that?
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January 31, 2006, 01:10 AM | #4 |
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Already been through the mill.
A switch is a trigger, otherwise I'd have an M61, m134 and a GAU8. Sam
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January 31, 2006, 07:26 PM | #5 |
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Since its an electric motor which continues operating as long as the switch is held down, it counts as an MG I think.
Those crank triggers for 10/22s are a different story, however, since they require constant mechanical input from the user. Ditto the reproduction Gatling Guns.
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January 31, 2006, 07:56 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
I recall someone (some site) that sold a kit to hold 2 10/22's, with a crank to pull the triggers. They had a letter on their site from the atf that said something to the effect of, it was legal with a crank, but if you used a drill to power it, it would be a machine gun, because the switch on the drill becomes the trigger. Ridiculous, but, thats how it goes. |
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January 31, 2006, 08:59 PM | #7 |
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ffxmike, Ridiculous is right. Thanks for everyones input, and more is welcomed.
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February 1, 2006, 09:50 AM | #8 |
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The advice so far is correct - an electronic or other type of powered mechanisim that operates the trigger automatically IS considered a MG by BATFE. BATFE issued an advisory opinion to this effect a couple years ago. The electronic switch or the mechanisim that powers movement of the trigger becomes the new "trigger" in the eyes of the law.
January 5, 1997 |
February 1, 2006, 09:40 PM | #9 |
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Join Date: March 16, 2005
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shaggy, Thanks for the info. I do have another question now about the magazines mentioned in the letter above. Does this 10 round capacity limit also include the 25 rounder sold by Butler Creek for the 10/22? Some are avalible at 50 rounds! I must be missing something here because these "high capacity" mags are avalible almost anywhere.
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February 1, 2006, 09:44 PM | #10 |
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That 10 round limit was a provision of the "Assault Weapon Ban" of 1994, which has now expired and no longer applies.
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