My brother-in-law told me that automatic weapons are illegal to own.However I've seen numerous videos on yahoo or google where you have gun clubs shooting automatic pistols,rifles,submachine guns,etc. Are automatic weapons legal in some states?
2006-10-19 07:17:54 · 14 answers · asked by HT 2 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
Yes, it is legal to own fully automatic weapons in MOST state in the U.S.
It's pretty amazing the amount of confusion that abounds in the minds of the general public in regard to the legalities of owning full auto weapons, more correctly known as weapons registered under the National Firearms Act of 1934(NFA).
You DO NOT need a Federal Firearms License to own NFA weapons nor is there a face to face interview with the ATF. I have owned NFA weapons for many years and have NEVER been visited by the ATF.
You must fill out what is known as a Form 4 and have it signed by the Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) of the city or county you reside in. His signature merely certifies that he knows of no state or local laws that prohibit the ownership of the weapon and that he knows of no legal reason that you personally can not own the weapon. You must also send in a fingerprint card and a Citizenship Certification form along with a check for the $200 transfer fee. This is a one time only fee.
After your paperwork has been reviewed and you have passed a routine background done, you will receive an approved Form 4 back in 2-6 months at which time you may take possession of your machine gun.
2006-10-19 08:26:28 · answer #1 · answered by Lancer 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
lancer did a greast job in the answer, a little to add, yes you may purchase, a fully auto weapon, and buy parts for it, but it must have been made prior to 1986, since then no new ones have been on the market that i am aware of. pres reagen did that, and the price went out of this world. hope i was as good as lancer . good luck, have fun, and remeber this, when guns are outlawed, only outlaws wil have them.
2006-10-19 16:13:13 · answer #2 · answered by L1M1J1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no not if youre a collector . you do need a permit and you cant shot it . check with the local gun shop and they would tell you better than the web can . you know how gun laws are. i have a m16 fully auto . ive shot it in some woods near where i live the law was called. i showed the my semi ak47 and said i was pulling the trigger fast . they never checked my truck for anything else
2006-10-19 14:28:25 · answer #3 · answered by james w 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
As long as your state allows you to own them (check here... http://www.westernfirearms.com/wfc/default?set=06 ) and you have a clean background, and are able to afford one it is perfectly LEGAL. In reality only 8 states do not allow fully-automatic firearms.
2006-10-19 14:24:53 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Lancer has this one sewn up.Very good summary. I'm constantly amazed at the people who answer questions on here that don't know what their talking about.Nice to see some who aren't talking out of their ***.BRAVO.
2006-10-19 15:55:55 · answer #5 · answered by Marten R 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It used to be illegal to own a fully-automatic weapon anywhere in the US. Only semi-automatics were allowed.
But a few years ago they changed the law. Now some states allow fully-automatic weapons.
2006-10-19 14:29:08 · answer #6 · answered by johnlb 3 · 0⤊ 4⤋
They are not illegal, you need a special federal permit and many state regulations make it harder to do.
2006-10-19 15:52:08 · answer #7 · answered by Black Sabbath 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
no, but you can if you have a federal license.
can be received through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.
warning: it's expensive and they will interview you....face/face. you have to make a good argument WHY...(collector, etc.)
2006-10-19 14:22:49 · answer #8 · answered by Robert 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
WITH A BACKGROUND CHECK AND A CLASS 3 LICENSE ISSUED BY THE ATF IT IS POSSIBLE TO OWN ONE
THERE ARE OTHER FACTORS SUCH AS HAVING TO PROVE THAT YOU HAVE ADEQUATE SECURITY IN YOUR HOME AND ARE SUBJECTED TO INSPECTION BY THE ATF AS THEY SEE FIT
2006-10-19 14:21:49 · answer #9 · answered by John K 5 · 2⤊ 3⤋
there are some decent answers to that question here:
http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/Default.aspx
2006-10-19 14:26:49 · answer #10 · answered by Duff 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋