NFA and the .50 bmg

[mr2guru]

I've been looking into getting a .50 for a while now and there seems to be a lot of pressure out there to get the .50 bmg banned. One way would be to reclassify it as a destructive device and put it on the NFA list. Such as they did with the street sweeper shotgun. IIRC those owners had to get it registered after a certain date if they owned one.

I REALLY don't want to buy a .50 and then be faced with it being an NFA weapon in the future. (I'd hate to be on that list when and if a roundup occurs.)

Realistically, what do you all think the chances of that are?

 

[rfurtkamp]

Don't worry about getting on a list. NFA owners may well be the last people with guns legally, since we've paid a specific and explicit tax to possess the item.

Buy what you want, if you want a .50, can afford a .50, and can shoot it, why let fear of some nebulous list scare you?

NFA owners haven't had jack-booted thugs at their doors. I feel cheated personally, I thought the $200 paid for that.

 

[JImbothefiveth]

It will vary from state to state whether or not that would be a ban.

Oh, and AHSA wants to reclassify them as destructive devices. So, don't give them any money.

 

[CoRoMo]

Fear not. Don't let the NFA prevent you from enjoying the rights you have.

If you let that impending shadow dissuade you from the .50 rifles, then the gun-grabbing antis have won.

 

[damien]

It's never going to be a DD without an amendment to the NFA statute.

DDs have to be greater than .50 caliber.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Destructive_device

Streetsweepers were classified as DDs because 12 gauge exceeds .50 caliber, so that is not an appropriate example.

The definition of a "destructive device" is found in 26 U.S.C. § 5845(f). The definition reads as follows:

(1) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas, (A) bomb, (B) grenade, (C) rocket having a propellant charge of more than 4 ounces, (D) missile having an explosive charge of more than 1/4 ounce, (E) mine or (F) similar device.

(2) Any weapon by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, the barrel or barrels of which have a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter, except a shotgun or shotgun shell which the Secretary finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes; and

(3) Any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into a destructive device as defined in subparagraphs (1) and (2) and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled.

The term destructive device shall not include any device which is neither designed nor redesigned for use as a weapon; any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety or similar device; surplus ordnance sold, loaned or given by the Secretary of the Army, pursuant to the provisions of section 4684(2), 4685, or 4686 of Title 10 of the United States Code; or any other device the Secretary finds is not likely to be used as a weapon, or is an antique or is a rifle which the owner intends to use solely for sporting purposes.

 

[Kind of Blued]

Buy one. The chances of what you're talking about happening are slim. Join the .50 BMG-related activist groups, and enjoy your rifle.

If they are added to the registry you would have to weigh your options.

A) Don't register it (illegal), keep your name off the list, and have a $2K-10K rifle sitting at home that you can never shoot again.

B) Register it, and carry on.

Either way, if you want one, you should buy one. Doing otherwise would be the same as letting antis win.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I REALLY don't want to buy a .50 and then be faced with it being an NFA weapon in the future. (I'd hate to be on that list when and if a roundup occurs.)

#1 The chances are very slim. Pretty much the only people advocating the .50 BMG be NFA are our "pro gun" friends at AHSA.

#2 There isn't a #2, it's so unrealistic it's not worth making a #2.

The Street Sweeper did indeed get sucked into NFA but there was already a provision in the law for more than half inch bore firearms that didn't meet the "sporting purpose" definition. .50BMG doesn't already fit into an existing law, but the Street Sweeper did.

 

[Acera]

You all forget to look at some things.

If you purchase the rifle (or upper as I did) and the legislature proposes and acts to ban them it will probably be effective sometime after the bill is signed into law. That time frame will give you a number of options.

First there will be a rush to buy them before the ban or registration takes effect. Sellers market.

Next you can keep it, register it and wait. Look at what happened to the prices of the NFA stuff since 86, it's gone through the roof. Again it's a sellers market.

While some on this board feel it is unethical to buy a gun to sell later for a profit, I think they are a better investment that GM or Chrysler stock.

 

[Prince Yamato]

The NFA isn't a giant "confiscation list"; no matter what the conspiracy theorists tell you. Get a 50bmg or alternatively, get a 20mm Laihti. Why not? That way you can be on the "list" already and not have to worry about being added later...

 

[Bill2e]

The funny thing is like AR's & AK's the .50 BMG was a very niche weapon before the gun grabbers tried to pick some low hanging fruit.

They did not forsee the resistance, now the 50 is mainstream, like the AR & AK

 

[hso]

Buy it.

Enjoy it.