i have a know it all friend that says George Bush lifted the automatic weapons ban a few years ago in the interest of national security. he says that you can walk into a gun store and buy an automatic gun.
i thought automatic weapons were SERIOUSLY illegal.
are they legal?
2007-10-09 04:13:57 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
They are legal if you get a Class III firearms license and meet the security and other requirements.
2007-10-09 04:35:58 · answer #1 · answered by MikeGolf 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Fully automatic weapons have always been legally available to qualified U.S. citizens. President G. W. Bush had nothing to do with that and he DID NOT make any changes whatever relative to the existing federal laws on fully automatic firearms. He did take part in cancelling the oppressive "Assault Rifle Ban" instituted during the Clinton adminstration, which had attempted to identify many entirely lawful SEMI-automatic, pump-action, and even some military-type bolt action firearms (including many common sporting arms) as assault weapons, in preparation for an attempt to confiscate them. The State of California has outlawed and confiscated some semi-automatics, including the AK-47 and the SKS rifle under their own laws. Prior to 1934, the U.S. Post office would deliver a Thompson submachine gun to your door, and some farmers bought them to control coyotes. All lawfully owned fully automatic firearms were documented years later by the Treasury Department, and the owners who declared them were provided with "amnesty papers". Those that weren't declared have been illegal ever since, and any dealer will send you packing if you show up without amnesty papers. Any law-abiding U.S. citizen, with the approval of the local authorities (typically the Sheriff) and knowledge of the federal BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tax, Firearms and Explosives)can buy a fully automatic firearm through or from a dealer with a class 3 federal license. The guns are scarce, so they are very expensive, and there is a $200 federal transfer fee. They can only be transfered to another qualified buyer through a class 3 dealer and another $200 transfer fee is charged for each transfer. You also need at least a $30 "C&R" permit to transport a full-automatic firearm, even across town to show it to a friend. These firearms are typically bought by serious collectors and some re-enactors. A very small number of them actually get fired, typically in large desert areas with the knowledge and cooperation of the local and state law enforcement agencies.
2016-04-07 23:12:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Fully automatic weapons have always been legally available to qualified U.S. citizens. President G. W. Bush had nothing to do with that and he DID NOT make any changes whatever relative to the existing federal laws on fully automatic firearms. He did take part in cancelling the oppressive "Assault Rifle Ban" instituted during the Clinton adminstration, which had attempted to identify many entirely lawful SEMI-automatic, pump-action, and even some military-type bolt action firearms (including many common sporting arms) as assault weapons, in preparation for an attempt to confiscate them. The State of California has outlawed and confiscated some semi-automatics, including the AK-47 and the SKS rifle under their own laws.
Prior to 1934, the U.S. Post office would deliver a Thompson submachine gun to your door, and some farmers bought them to control coyotes. All lawfully owned fully automatic firearms were documented years later by the Treasury Department, and the owners who declared them were provided with "amnesty papers". Those that weren't declared have been illegal ever since, and any dealer will send you packing if you show up without amnesty papers.
Any law-abiding U.S. citizen, with the approval of the local authorities (typically the Sheriff) and knowledge of the federal BATFE (Bureau of Alcohol, Tax, Firearms and Explosives)can buy a fully automatic firearm through or from a dealer with a class 3 federal license. The guns are scarce, so they are very expensive, and there is a $200 federal transfer fee. They can only be transfered to another qualified buyer through a class 3 dealer and another $200 transfer fee is charged for each transfer. You also need at least a $30 "C&R" permit to transport a full-automatic firearm, even across town to show it to a friend.
These firearms are typically bought by serious collectors and some re-enactors. A very small number of them actually get fired, typically in large desert areas with the knowledge and cooperation of the local and state law enforcement agencies.
2007-10-09 06:04:04 · answer #3 · answered by senior citizen 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your friend is full of crap. The law that expired (Bush didn't lift it, Congress didn't reauthorize it) was a ban on a small number of semi-automatic firearms that looked scary. Functionally, they were no different from dozens of other firearms, they just had things like pistol grips, bayonet lugs, and carrying handles that certain politicians didn't like. The law was meaningless and ineffective.
Automatic weapons are, and have always been legal to own, as long as you go through the required federal permit process. This requires an extensive background check and an annual renewal, plus a fee for each weapon owned.
2007-10-09 04:20:35 · answer #4 · answered by thegubmint 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
You need a class III FFL to own an automatic weapon legally. FFL is Federal Firearms License and is usually issued to gun dealers through the ATF(Alcohol, Tabacco, and Firearms) bureau. Although, if you have enough money and clout, you can probably get one without being a dealer.
You and your friend are probably talking about semi-automatic firearms which may or may not be legal in your state anyway due to state regulation. You still have to go through the usual state requirements to purchase a firearm if they are.
2007-10-09 04:27:43 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
No, they are not legal. You can buy versions of assault weapons that are semi-automatic. But if you have a fully automatic version of any weapon, you are looking at serious felony charges.
The reason the law expired was not for "national security." It was because it was a stupid law that didn't do anything for gun voilence. All guns are lethal. What is the difference between a semi-automatic assault rifle and a semi-automatic high caliber hunting rifle? Nothing but the word "assault."
2007-10-09 04:19:35 · answer #6 · answered by Chef 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
The only legal way to own full autos is with a special permit which requires a background check,an annual fee & strict monitering of all weapons which must be registered. If you loose the permit you must eather sell the weapons to another regestered collector or turn them over to the goverment.
2007-10-09 04:30:53 · answer #7 · answered by Ellen 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
GW lifted a ban on assault rifles. Not auto. THey are semi auto which are just as dangerous. Probably more so. Autos let loose everything in two seconds. An m16 only has twenty bullets typically, firing at 60 per second. A semi auto assault rifle gives you time to aim and choose targets.
2007-10-09 04:18:37 · answer #8 · answered by Mason K 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You don't get a Class III Federal Firearms License unless you are selling NFA weapons, Mike Golf is wrong.
2013-09-19 15:59:15 · answer #9 · answered by Gray Wanderer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its been legal since 2004. . it was a 10 year ban from 1994 - 2004
2007-10-09 04:21:58 · answer #10 · answered by *OdCtD* 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋