Machinegun bans

[Shelly21]

While I was reading some NRA flyers at the gun show in Northern VA. I came to something interesting. It said that Ronald Reagan signed a bill that banned certain machine guns.

That is a complete suprise to me.

1), I thought most machine guns were already banned since the 60's.
2), Why Reagan would sign that bill.

 

[Pliablemoose]

Here's a pretty accurate article by the Coalition to Stop Gun Violence

Reagan's Gun Legacy

He has a mixed record on the issue, which is understandable. He was a politician after all

Here's a brief on 99-308, signed in 86' Firearms Owners' Protection Act

 

[Dissipate]

The NRA told Reagan to sign that bill because it was a tradeoff, for getting rid of other gun control legislation.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: Shelly21
While I was reading some NRA flyers at the gun show in Northern VA. I came to something interesting. It said that Ronald Reagan signed a bill that banned certain machine guns.

That is a complete suprise to me.

1), I thought most machine guns were already banned since the 60's.
2), Why Reagan would sign that bill.

They weren't "banned". It went more something like this:

1934: Gun Control Act passes which restricts purchases of full-auto weaps. Has to be registered

1968: Gun Control Act provides amnesty to those who own full autos (such as vetern bring backs) to register. Those guns which are not registered by the date in 1968 can never be registered, lose their amnesty status, and will be forfited if found.

1986: Act passes which bans the sale of full autos made after 1986 to the public.

So if you want a full auto, it has to be a registered gun made prior to 1987. No license is needed to own them, just a background check with the ATF.

You can own post 86 full autos if you are a Class III dealer (like those who sell to law enforcement, or do transfers for pre 86 weapons), or are a Class II manufacturer.

 

[Dissipate]

Originally posted by: BrunoPuntzJones

Originally posted by: Shelly21
While I was reading some NRA flyers at the gun show in Northern VA. I came to something interesting. It said that Ronald Reagan signed a bill that banned certain machine guns.

That is a complete suprise to me.

1), I thought most machine guns were already banned since the 60's.
2), Why Reagan would sign that bill.

They weren't "banned". It went more something like this:

1934: Gun Control Act passes which restricts purchases of full-auto weaps. Has to be registered

1968: Gun Control Act provides amnesty to those who own full autos (such as vetern bring backs) to register. Those guns which are not registered by the date in 1968 can never be registered, lose their amnesty status, and will be forfited if found.

1986: Act passes which bans the sale of full autos made after 1986 to the public.

So if you want a full auto, it has to be a registered gun made prior to 1987. No license is needed to own them, just a background check with the ATF.

You can own post 86 full autos if you are a Class III dealer (like those who sell to law enforcement, or do transfers for pre 86 weapons), or are a Class II manufacturer.

Don't forget, you also have to get a federal tax stamp in order to own a class 3 weapon. Also, some states like California ban class 3 weapons altogether. in CA you are not allowed to even own pre '86 class 3 weapon with or without a tax stamp.

 

[Pliablemoose]

NFA vs state law chart