Are Bushmaster pistols submachine guns?

Question

I remember a guy told me that Bushmaster pistols where submachine guns is this true? I don't want one but i would like to know if citizens could own machineguns?

Answer 1

Your pal told you wrong.

While there might be some early Bushmasters that were available in selective fire, none have been made since 1986. All currently manufactured Bushmasters are semi-automatic only.

Even a fully automatic Bushmasters would not be a true submachine gun. Submachine guns are chambered for pistol caliber cartridges, such as 9 mmP or .45 ACP. The Bushmaster is chambered for the 5.56 Nato/.223 Win assault rifle cartridge.

IIRC, 35 states permit their citizens to own and shoot machine guns.

Doc

Answer 2

In a word, NO, they are NOT SMG's.
SMG's are full-auto or select-fire weapons that are chambered for pistol ammo, not rifle rounds, as are the BushMaster 'pistols' and, as such, are controlled by Federal law & BATFE regulations, BUT, they ARE LEGAL for purchase & possession by qualified U.S. citizens. All one need do to buy any Class 3 weapon or other device is complete the purchase procedure, including a BATFE background check and pay a one-time $200 transfer tax 'stamp' upon receipt of the weapon. There are NO 'licenses' or 'permits' involved in this transaction under Federal laws. . . . .
BushMaster 'pistols' (actually stockless, short-barreled rifles) are NOT SMG's, as they fire rifle cartridges, not pistol ammunition, as SMG's all do.

Answer 3

A submachine gun fires pistol ammo, is larger than a pistol and is capible of firing full-auto. A machine pistol is a full-auto pistol.

So, it's not a submachine gun.

If a person wants to get a full-auto or class three weapon there are hoops that a person has to jump through that makes what people belive the NSA phone captures were look like getting carded to go to a bar.

Answer 4

Yes, citizens can legally own machine (fully automatic) guns. Some states may not allow it, but at the federal level the BATF classifies fully automatic weapons as Class 3 weapons. They are legal to own, but you have to go through the permit process and do all of the paperwork and pay a transfer fee. I believe the transfer fee is $200.

To legally own a fully automatic weapon (as well as a silencer/sound suppressor) you:

- have to live in a state that allows it
- must be a US citizen at least 21 yrs old
- must not have felony convictions
- must not have been dishonorably discharged from the military
- must never have been judged mentally defective

It takes 3-4 months to do the paperwork to own a fully automatic weapon or sound suppressor.

In some states they are totally illegal, in some states they are legal but only for Class 3 dealers, and in the other states they are legal.