Where are the parts?

Not to raise a sore point, but where are the imports of M16 part kits (less barrels and lowers)?

I am/was told that after 2012 there were no more M16 parts kits allowed in the US by dictate of the state department (Sandy Hook). Now we are 19 months into a supposed pro-gun administration and still no kits or parts of any kind, though I read around 18 months ago there were large amounts of surplus M16A1 rifles to be had on the international market. Certainly there is a market for said bits at around 500 retail, given the current fad for retro AR rifles.

Nor are any of the 970,000 M1 carbines from Korea on the market or any hint of same.

What gives, does anyone have a handle on this and why we have not seen a change? By this time in the George Bush II reign (mid 2002) we were seeing a bunch of US stuff on the market.

A retro AR is about the only style I’d care to have. Just don’t find all the knobby rails and adjustable stocks to be that attractive.
Of course about the time I realize this, two years ago or so, I couldn’t find any decently priced parts kits around.
Such is life!
Would be interested in hearing other opinions on potential imports.

Retransfers are no problem now. My guess is that they simply aren't available. After all, they've been obsolete for quite some time. Some may turn up eventually from places like Israel and others. It's hard to say.

The Korean carbines are a long winded story that I already answered on the M1 Rifle or Carbine forum. You can probably go find it. I have a good person at PM RSAT U.S Dept. of State who helps do retransfers for me when in need prior to import permitting so the information is fact and not heresay.