Make sure you are sitting down gents, with the smelling salts handy....

[browningautorifle]

certain classes of firearms are deactivated in the U.K. is so that they can be legally sold within the U.K.

That's my impression of this.

[Flying10uk]

Some of the deacs that are seen in the U.K. appear almost new having been in storage for 70+ years and in some cases look to not even be refurbished examples rather to be straight from the factory. This may be more of a case with weapons from Eastern Europe.

[enfield303t]

One reason that some guns in certain classes of firearms are deactivated in the U.K. is so that they can be legally sold within the U.K. on the open market. Clearly the example in post 1 is not one of these.

I certainly know the excuse the "authorities" use however it is beyond flawed and I think most govt's are genuinely afraid of a armed public, no other reason. Over the years I have known many FA owners who owned everything from a Lewis to several Ma Deuces and everything else you can imagine. I have a friend that owns two tanks, the main gun had to be deactivated...for what reason, do the "authorities" think you can buy 105's or what ever at you local Boots or Rexall Drug store?

Public safety is a OXYMORON !

[browningautorifle]

think you can buy 105's or what ever at you local Boots or Rexall Drug store?

Well, the casings can be had and I'd take it as a personal challenge to create projectiles...BP filler I should think. I can rejuvenate the primer tube with flash or 4F and use a shotgun primer to fire it... Exactly the reasons I didn't buy a 60mm mortar that was at auction.

But yes, unless you pull the dog's teeth, you can't beat him without getting bitten...then you can do what you want.

[Flying10uk]

Strangely, I believe that despite the very strict U.K. gun laws, it may be possible and legal, under certain circumstances, for a private citizen to own a self propelled gun or main battle tank with a live gun. I don't know the ins and outs of how this may be possible or under what restrictions/conditions would be imposed or even if I'm correct in this matter. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of the U.K. laws/regulations could correct or confirm, please?

[mrclark303]

Strangely, I believe that despite the very strict U.K. gun laws, it may be possible and legal, under certain circumstances, for a private citizen to own a self propelled gun or main battle tank with a live gun. I don't know the ins and outs of how this may be possible or under what restrictions/conditions would be imposed or even if I'm correct in this matter. Perhaps someone with more knowledge of the U.K. laws/regulations could correct or confirm, please?

Yep, quite legal on Sec1 F10, single shot firearm with a barrel length exceeding 12" and and overall length more than 24", these pre conditions are met by default!

But absolutely, additional conditions will be attributed to the item FAC holders certificate, something like .... The 75 mm gun S/N ***** must only be used with blank ammunition and only at approved events etc etc

[cherokee]

This is what happens if you don't live in a free country.

I understand english law, however I thought you could do all the paperwork and have them anyway. I know some things like hand guns are very hard if not impossible, but with the rifles....at least they will be taken care of and not bubba-ed.

[Ronbo6]

The only firearm that should be deactivated is one that is beyond repair and a danger is ever shot.

To deactivate a gun is NUTS.

Countless Thompson's, Sten's and Brens have been deactivated in Canada to what end? No registered owner of a FA has EVER committed a crime with one...EVER.

There have been crimes committed with illegally owned FA's but the honest gun owner being persecuted for owning one has not had any effect on the morons who smuggle them into our country.

Rant over.

The record in the wild and woolly US is NEARLY as good as Canada's in this respect. Since 1934, there has been ONE crime committed with an NFA restricted firearm.

It was a police officer who came home and decided to open up with his personally owned NFA-registered SMG on his wife's lover (he walked in on them at exactly the WRONG time).

Understandable, but a crime, nonetheless.