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Old October 5, 2005, 11:38 AM   #51
Powderman
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This thread has no constructive purpose, and has trouble all over it with a capital T. Will someone PLEASE lock it?

So far, at least two people have actively discussed clear violations of Federal law. One has even declared intent.

I have no wish to be lumped into a Federal investigation. Granted, no laws broken yet--but some folks are pushing the envelope.
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Old October 5, 2005, 12:15 PM   #52
C Philip
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I was under the impression that is was legal to make your own MG as long as you registered it. Does that only apply if you build it from scratch? Or could you legally machine your own full auto conversion part for a gun, register it, and be legal?
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Old October 5, 2005, 12:32 PM   #53
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I was under the impression that is was legal to make your own MG as long as you registered it. Does that only apply if you build it from scratch? Or could you legally machine your own full auto conversion part for a gun, register it, and be legal?
Nope, FOPA'86 cutoff the registration of any MGs made after that date for civilian possession. IOW, under the NFA an individual can make their own machinegun if it is properly registered and tax paid, but the enactment of 18 USC 922(o) in 1986 cutoff the registration process for civilians (thus you can't make a new one because you can't register it).
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Old October 5, 2005, 12:47 PM   #54
C Philip
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I understand it now, thanks for clearing that up. However, if you buy a legal registered full auto conversion kit, then install it in your gun, aren't you making a machine gun? Or is it ok since the part is registered as a machine gun?
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Old October 5, 2005, 01:02 PM   #55
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The conversion part is the machinegun. For example, I own several registered sears. Although its only a small part, it is registered as a machinegun and must be transfered as a machinegun. Legally it IS a machinegun. When I install one into the host gun, the sear remains the machinegun, but the host firearm temporarily becomes part of the same machinegun while the sear is installed. (its important to note that installation of a registered part should not involve any permanent physical changes to the host firearm that would permantly render it a machinegun after the registered part was removed)

Capice?
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Old October 5, 2005, 01:21 PM   #56
C Philip
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Yes, I get it now. Thanks again.
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Old October 6, 2005, 05:30 PM   #57
Cortland
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IOW, under the NFA an individual can make their own machinegun if it is properly registered and tax paid, but the enactment of 18 USC 922(o) in 1986 cutoff the registration process for civilians (thus you can't make a new one because you can't register it).
To be technical, 922(o) makes civilian possession or transfer of ANY machine gun illegal, but exempts guns registered prior to 1986. It's a fine difference, but is one of the reasons why another 1968-style amnesty wouldn't help with respect to MGs. There have been bills proposed that would hold another amensty, but they also have to fiddle with 922(o) to make it work.
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Old October 6, 2005, 05:51 PM   #58
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To be technical, 922(o) makes civilian possession or transfer of ANY machine gun illegal, but exempts guns registered prior to 1986. It's a fine difference, but is one of the reasons why another 1968-style amnesty wouldn't help with respect to MGs. There have been bills proposed that would hold another amensty, but they also have to fiddle with 922(o) to make it work.
I'm well aware of the concurrent laws regarding NFA and the technicalities thereof - both under title 18 and title 26. Sometimes I find its better to keep it simple than further confuse the issue for the newbies. A fine difference to be sure, but without any significant effect for the purposes of the prior discussion herein.
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Old October 6, 2005, 05:54 PM   #59
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without any significant effect for the purposes of the prior discussion herein
That is true.
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Old October 6, 2005, 06:26 PM   #60
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Cortland-

Didn't mean that to come off snotty - I hope you didn't take it that way. Its just that many people here are newbies and have enough trouble wrapping their heads around the basics of NFA ownership without getting into hypertechnical legal points (this ain't subguns or sturm...). You are correct, and like the now defunct 1994 AWB, proper registration (or proof of lawful ownership prior to 9-13-94 for the AWB) is only a defense to prosecution for simple possession.
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Old October 6, 2005, 07:38 PM   #61
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No, no, no. I know exactly what you mean. It can be difficult enough for new folks to assimilate all the intracacies of federal firearms law without getting all nitpicky and pendatic. I understand completely.

In my previous post I was just trying to be agreeable.
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Old October 7, 2005, 01:21 AM   #62
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Shoestrings are still the way to go.
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Old October 7, 2005, 03:46 AM   #63
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Shoestrings? Wow! That scares me because with my light target AR trigger I can make it rock and roll by slapping the trigger fast. Hmmm... I wonder if they will classify my finger as a machinegun? josh
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Old October 7, 2005, 06:14 PM   #64
Johnny Guest
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This one has gone on too long already.

I need acknowledge Powderman's comments a page or so back - - I was hoping the thread might be an object lesson, and, really, all of the Full Auto Forum regulars here have been very good about urging compliance with the law.

Anyone who's still unclear about the legalities of a home conversion to full auto, please, re-read the entire thread.

Short answer:
DON'T DO IT!
You've been given good advice above.
If you can't comprehend it, just GO AWAY.

Thread closed.

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