Oops, I bought a machine gun

[tbhausen]

This thread makes me very sad.

 

[whomhead]

This thread makes me very sad.

Concur.

 

[Hookeye]

Couldn't one just take it apart, destroy the bad components and restore it back to semi?

 

[roscott]

Couldn't one just take it apart, destroy the bad components and restore it back to semi?

I'm curious about this too. I assume since that's not what was done, that must be a batfe no-no?

 

[Cameramonkey]

Couldn't one just take it apart, destroy the bad components and restore it back to semi?

I'm curious about this too. I assume since that's not what was done, that must be a batfe no-no?

You two obviously arent privy to how .gov works. Not much happens there that makes sense.

 

[KJQ6945]

Couldn't one just take it apart, destroy the bad components and restore it back to semi?

Generally not. The BATFE has specific instructions as to how a machine gun is to be destroyed. Machine guns get turned into parts, not semi auto guns. Generally, any semi auto version of a machine gun is going to have a new receiver, and then you use the parts kit from a machine gun. Think HK UMP, G36, Sten, Sterling, Suomi.

 

[GodFearinGunTotin]

Generally not. The BATFE has specific instructions as to how a machine gun is to be destroyed. Machine guns get turned into parts, not semi auto guns. Generally, any semi auto version of a machine gun is going to have a new receiver, and then you use the parts kit from a machine gun. Think HK UMP, G36, Sten, Sterling, Suomi.

But in this case, wasn't it a semi-automatic that either by malfunction or intentional tweaking, made it a machine gun? Doesn't that make a difference?

 

[rugertoter]

What a waste. So sad. Too bad you did not have a Class III licence...feel sorry for the gun.

 

[Tula47]

But in this case, wasn't it a semi-automatic that either by malfunction or intentional tweaking, made it a machine gun? Doesn't that make a difference?

I turned the gun over to the sheriffs department and the atf concluded that it was modified and it has since been destroyed.

 

[Tula47]

Couldn't one just take it apart, destroy the bad components and restore it back to semi?

A $500 gun wasn't worth (in my opinion) spending some time in club fed and losing my ffl. Snorko paid me for my gun and the auction company paid him. No harm, no foul. Just an illegal gun removed from circulation.

 

[indykid]

While it is nice that everything turned out the way it did and ATF didn't drop the hammer on anyone, it really is a shame that the right to keep and bear arms has been so flagrantly infringed.

 

[KJQ6945]

But in this case, wasn't it a semi-automatic that either by malfunction or intentional tweaking, made it a machine gun? Doesn't that make a difference?

I'm not really clear what the gun started out as. If something malfunctions on a semi auto, causing it to fire full auto, yes, you can repair that.
If it was tampered with to make it full auto, that's a whole nother can of worms. Some felonies can't be undone. The old adage, measure twice, cut once, applies to guns way more than it does to 2x4s.
The bottom line is, the Feds don't have much of a sense of humor. As sad as this story is, the right thing was done, and no one is going to prison. A semi auto scorpion costs about the same as a Glock, they aren't rare or expensive.

 

[KJQ6945]

A $500 gun wasn't worth (in my opinion) spending some time in club fed and losing my ffl. Snorko paid me for my gun and the auction company paid him. No harm, no foul. Just an illegal gun removed some circulation.

^^THIS^^

 

[Tula47]

I'm not really clear what the gun started out as. If something malfunctions on a semi auto, causing it to fire full auto, yes, you can repair that.
If it was tampered with to make it full auto, that's a whole nother can of worms. Some felonies can't be undone. The old adage, measure twice, cut once, applies to guns way more than it does to 2x4s.
The bottom line is, the Feds don't have much of a sense of humor. As sad as this story is, the right thing was done, and no one is going to prison. A semi auto scorpion costs about the same as a Glock, they aren't rare or expensive.

I honestly should have probably just demilled it, I have access to a torch but I about crapped my pants when I held down the trigger and it emptied the magazine. So I kind of just wanted it gone.

 

[Hookeye]

So somebody down the line tampers with something and that changes the manufactured classification?
I would think UNKNOWINGLY buying an altered or worn item would allow for repair/restoration.

Stuff happens.

It's the guys who buy that stuff, discover the FA...............and leave it that are the ones that should be in trouble.
Or the ones who discover it, and shoot it for the day, or have buddy's come and shoot it...............and then get it fixed.

I thought when it goes silly you are supposed to stop and get it fixed ASAP. Not continue to play with it.

 

[Rookie]

I honestly should have probably just demilled it, I have access to a torch but I about crapped my pants when I held down the trigger and it emptied the magazine. So I kind of just wanted it gone.

I know the feeling. I found two suppressors in my house when I was remodeling. There were no serial numbers on them, and I couldn't call the police and turn them over fast enough.

 

[snorko]

It was a common enough gun, still produced and readily available so it's not a waste per se to destroy it. I am pretty sure that the rules are once a machine gun, always a machine gun.

 

[Tula47]

It was a common enough gun, still produced and readily available so it's not a waste per se to destroy it. I am pretty sure that the rules are once a machine gun, always a machine gun.

I kept all the mags and pouches and sold them on the AKfiles so I didn't give them those and I think you're right. My ATF agent seemed to make it sound that way

 

[Tula47]

I know the feeling. I found two suppressors in my house when I was remodeling. There were no serial numbers on them, and I couldn't call the police and turn them over fast enough.

Not a good feeling is it? hahah

 

[KJQ6945]

So somebody down the line tampers with something and that changes the manufactured classification?
I would think UNKNOWINGLY buying an altered or worn item would allow for repair/restoration.

Stuff happens.

It's the guys who buy that stuff, discover the FA...............and leave it that are the ones that should be in trouble.
Or the ones who discover it, and shoot it for the day, or have buddy's come and shoot it...............and then get it fixed.

I thought when it goes silly you are supposed to stop and get it fixed ASAP. Not continue to play with it.

Sometimes mistakes can be very costly, and can't be undone. Converting an HK USC to a UMP involves Dremeling a section of the upper. If you take to much material out of this area, it is then viewed by the ATF as a machine gun. There is no going back. Measure ten times, cut once. If you screw the cut up, you are throwing away a $2000 HK receiver. The upper is the receiver in this case.