Excitement at the Gun Show

[Jim Nasium]

All,
An interesting story developed this past weekend at a gunshow North of here. As I was strolling past the entrance, I happened to overhear a conversation between the gun safety checker (a uniformend LEO) and a man whom he and his family were about to come in. I heard something to the effect " this slot on the side is for the M2 switch". Of course, that turned my head.
I stopped immediately and stood behind the LEO. Sure enough, they were talking about a carbine... The sponsoring club's "expert" was there looking at the rifle in his hands, and explained to all who were listening that the slot was common on late carbines and the wood could be fited to either a M1 or an M2. M1 carbines, he further expostulated, simply did not have the switch. He then handed the rifle back to the owner.
The carbine's owner was a pretty affluent appearing man, shock of steel grey hair, with teen or early twentys male offspring in tow, complete with female accompanyment. He proudly explained that he had the M2 switch parts in a zip-lock bag at home.!!
When the LEO handed the man back the rifle, and he started to come in the show, I asked him if I could have a quick look. He immediately handed me the carbine. One look was all it took. On the receiver it was plainly marked "M2".
I handed the rifle back to him and begged him not to bring the rifle into the show. That it was plainly marked M2, and even without the switch assy., it was a machine gun, and unless he had the proper license, a federal offense to possess either the gun or the parts kit.
He promptly asked one of his sons for the car keys, and took it away. Later, he and his entourage passed by our table, and he thanked me for keeping him out of possible trouble. He further explained that he had inherited the rifle from his father, who had brought it back from WWII. That all he was wanting to do was find out about what it was worth, as he would be passing it down to his sons.
I told him I admired his wanting to pass the gun along, but assurred him that he was doing them no favors. It was indeed a "hot potato". There was no way that he could legally own, sell, or pass along an unlicensed machine gun. He or his heirs would do federal time if caught.
Well, he said, they had it at their ranch, and had killed many a hog with it. He thought he'd just take it back and continue to use it as before. I cautioned him that he needed to be very careful about who knew he had the gun.
Just shows to go ya', you never know what'll show up, nor who will be the bearer of the next --- collectable. In this case, collectable by the feds...

jim

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[Tired Retired]

Jim, I am sure that he owes you at least $225 - thats what a lawyer would charge for an hour just to show up at his bail hearing!

I think that this highlights one shortfall in all the gun laws out there. Some people, innocently, may not know that they are breaking the law out of sheer ignorance. Its not just the hand-me-downs, it may be the "I didn't know I couldn't have both the pistol AND the stock" situations. I sometimes wonder if the lawmakers really understand that us common people do not comprehend (and never get effectively communicated) some of the laws they pass. That goes for alot of areas (taxes, debt, etc), not just guns.

I hope the guy realizes that his desire to hang on to "dad's" machine gun is not worth risks of prison. He can always buy a straight M-1 carbine if he has to use it for his hogs.

Good "save", dude.

[shadycon]

Jim: I don't think anyone could have handled that situation any better than you did.

[painter777]

Nice save Jim,
Did you happen to notice what style stock it was in?

Charlie

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

That is what grips me about the wording of the laws.

Marked M-2 doesn't mean it can only be a machine gun. It can be modified to an M-1. And an M-1 can easily be modified to an auto gun and not be marked M-2. I would like to see legislature to change that part. Who knows a congressman?

Someone on this forum had a gun with the serial number ground off and got the BATF to sign off on it. I don't remember who. That could be a way to go also.

Something else missed here is that even the LEO didn't catch it. What does that say about them not knowing every nuance of the law either. Would someone catch it at a range? Probaby, because everyone likes to look at a classic weapon, and someone would surely know.

Part of his family history, you wouldn't get it away from me if it was my Dad's. He has used it in the past on his private ranch. That is the place to keep it, for now.

Expostulated: great word to use,

JimF

[painter777]

Jim,
Marcus had a receiver given a serial number by BATF.
If I recall.....he had it placed on the side of the receiver...below the wood line.

Charlie

[emmagee1917]

...I just had a brain drizzle.
If one was to purchase a registered M2 kit and then installed that kit into a M2 marked reciever , would not the unregistered reciever now be covered by the kit's paperwork ? Or would they rule that it was two machineguns , one OK and one bad ? That would be true IF the kit was EVER removed ( even for cleaning) , but til then ?
Prob'ly too much to hope for...but still , has anyone asked?
Chris

[3ky]

Speaking of laws has anyone heard of the gun registration and taxation law they were trying to pass? Basically you have to pay taxes on every guy you own. I hear it was 50 bucks a year per gun. If its true I hope it gets shot down.
Michael

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

3ky,

"Shot down" good choice of words.

[Tired Retired]

Speaking of laws has anyone heard of the gun registration and taxation law they were trying to pass? Basically you have to pay taxes on every guy you own. I hear it was 50 bucks a year per gun. If its true I hope it gets shot down.
Michael

Michael,

Real quick - that is debunked rumor.

If you want accurate information on pending legislation, join and support one of the many gun lobby associations ( NRA, etc). They will keep you up to date as to what is really happening in D.C. That will also help kill waste of bandwidth with ever-growing, never accurate rumors. It also helps kill off panic buying of ammo and firearms.