NOTICE

142 R.J. GODLEWSKI/INERT
submachine guns
Most people are utterly shocked to realize
that one can own machine guns within the United
States. Not everyone of course and there’s rules to
follow, but yes the purchase of a machine gun is
not much more difficult than buying a new
automobile. A few states – such as California –
ban even assault rifles and still a few others – such
as Michigan – require that the buyer also have a
federal Curios & Relics license which seems to be
complete nonsense as C&R guns usually mean
those at least fifty years old.
Having said that, not all machine guns can
be owned by the public. Pursuant to 1986 federal
law, no machine guns manufactured after that
year can be owned by private citizens. In 2008, it’s
hard to imagine what difference a 1987 gun
would’ve made but that’s Washington for you. So
all machine guns in private hands get transferred
– the legal term used – around and their
subsequent cost soars into the stratosphere.
The procedure for purchase is rather
straightforward. First, you locate your prize at a
Class III firearms dealer and send them a check for
the purchase amount along with the name of
another Class III dealer in your area. The dealers
then coordinate the filing of respective paperwork
with the BATF. Next, your dealer files a Form 4
which you will sign and then get your local chief
law enforcement official to sign also.
You then return the completed Form 4's to
your in-state dealer, along with two passport size