Question re: M2 Carbine

[kikokat]

I saw where there was a M2 Carbine posted on one of the auction sites, but it was stated that it was in a semi-auto operation only mode. I realize that if in fact such a piece is marked "M2", no matter if it has any of the "special" parts or not, it is considered an M2.
Hypothetically speaking, what would be the safest course of action for someone in the position of having this weapon in his possession (no, it's definitely not me, and no, I don't know the seller) only to find out that it's not legal to possess. I'd be interested in hearing what the more knowledgible folks out there think. I know this comes up from time to time, and wonder what the well intentioned individual might do to rectify the situation.
If it had been purchased from an older person, with, most likely, neither buyer or seller being aware of what they had, how would one best resolve this and stay out of trouble with the authorities?

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[shadycon]

If it is maked M2 and has never been registered, general public ownership is a no no.

[Tired Retired]

...what would be the safest course of action for someone in the position of having this weapon in his possession ...?

The safest course of action if you "found it" in, let's say, Grandpa's closet??? Call ATF, tell them what you have "found", GET THE AGENT"S NAME you spoke to, and ask them to COME pick it up.

It's forfeitted and there is no compensation - unless you count NOT going to jail as a compensation. There are some things in life you do want to find - like Blackbeard's hidden treasure. Just pay the taxes and the rest is yours. An unregistered M-2 is NOT on that list of things to find.

Just my two cents worth...

[kikokat]

I totally agree.I suppose if the seller had unknowingly bought this hypothetical carbine from another party, the best course of action would be to return it to the fiirst party and get one's money back post haste? If that didn't work, call ATF?

[us019255]

The only problem with calling the ATF and giving them the carbine is you would be giving them, in addition to the receiver and various naughty bits, a valuable lot of other parts. As I see it, you could immediately remove the barreled receiver from the rest. Then while you are waiting for the ATF agent to show up, remove the barrel from the receiver and then give the agent the receiver and the various naughty bits. That's all he wants anyway. You would not even need any carbine action tools. Put the flat part of the barrel in a sturdy vise, and use a pipe wrench on the receiver. If you distort the receiver there will be no loss to anyone.

Alternatively, one could torch cut the receiver into a number of parts. If done to ATF specs, the receiver is no longer a machine gun. I would guess that while it is against the law to have an unregistered machine gun, there is no law against destroying one.

[Tired Retired]

Yes, by all means strip anything legal from the actual prohibited part (receiver/M-2 kit).

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Why not just take the barrel out of the receiver, torch the receiver in two and use it as a paperweight. I have seen demilled M2 marked receivers cut in half. Just don't have both pieces.

Other pieces go into the parts bin.

[Mikey51]

Hiya Jim. We got a problem here ! I'm running around trying to save M2 stuff and parts, others are running around trying to chop it up ! Different countries, different laws, not good for Historians. Cheers, Mike.

[Tired Retired]

Mikey, I can honestly say that New Zealand is looking better and better every day for me. My biggest question used to be what State offered the best jobs/schools/retirement - now I am asking what Country offeres the best living conditions/retirement/safety.

While I do think that looking at the Southern Cross on a star-filled night would be great, I don't think I can get used to having Christmas in summer!

[frankderrico]

If the ATF says "once a machine gun, Always a machine gun" how come you see Browning 1919A1's in semi-auto at gun shows all the time? Or do you need them registered to?.....Frank