Why are Machine Guns legal? What does anyone need with one?

Captain, I hope you are also concerned about drunk drivers also. Your concern for your children’s safety does not override my right to defend myself or my family. Since you wanted some suggestions I have a few. Do away with gun free zones at schools. Make every door in the place and the entire glass bullet proof. You can reduce the pay of most of the local politicians to pay for it. Arm and train willing teachers to help defend the place when trouble starts. I do agree that all guns sold must have a corresponding back ground check. If not the seller should suffer some consequence. Some will disagree on this last point but it makes sense to me. The other side is that some law enforcement organizations are so small that they might not enter a person into the system to mark him as ineligible to buy a gun. If so then that is not the sellers fault.

Do you see the news? Guns have three primary purposes in my house. 1. Hunting for food, I do very little. 2. Defending my home from bad guys weather it be the local thug or the terrorist my president wants to bring in as refugees. 3. Banding together with other patriots to defend our nation when our Government attempts to become dictators, or civil war breaks out. A secondary purpose is I just like to make things go bang and I can.

This is a great post, at least for me. I really learned a lot from other members on here about the ability of private ownership of fully automatic weapons. I was told when I was young, and always believed, that an American couldn't own a machine gun legally. Just goes to show that you're never too old to learn something. I realize now that you can own them, even though with the expense and red tape I'll never be able to own one. I fired an M60 while still on AD and it was a blast! If I was rich one of the first guns I'd buy would be a WWII-era Tommy Gun. They still sell brand new ones that are semi-auto but it is way too cost prohibitive for me. But I really don't think they need to put all the restrictions on fully automatic weapons. As someone else stated on this post an armorer, or anyone with mechanical ability can turn a semi-auto weapon that also comes in fully auto form in a fully auto weapon. But the nuts, terrorists and criminals that use fully auto weapons don't buy them legally, anyway. That's why all the restrictions and high government fees don't make sense to me. In my heart and head I believe the reason our Forefathers made the 2nd Amendment number two overall was so any citizen who desired could have access to the same weapons our government has, so we'd never have to fear a dictatorship. Of course they never could have foreseen the way weaponry has evolved. Hence, at least to me, is why we all take the Oath to protect the Constitution. It tells us to defend the nation and obey our superiors. Of course no one is the President's superior, so he has the responsibility to obey it, protect it and to protect our nation through leadership. If one ever tries to become a dictator through his rank as Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, then it lies with the JCS to disobey any illegal orders such a President may issue, to prevent the use of our own military against us. But we all know power can corrupt so I just pray to God that the Generals and Admiral are men whose obedience to the Oath will always come first.

I doubt you know anyone who owns a Machine Gun. They are extremely expensive and difficult to get. Be prepared to wait at least 6 months, pay for a tax stamp plus the cost of the weapon. Plus you have to get the signature of the local authorities before to can buy it. The cheapest I have ever seen one obtained was in the 15 k range. Next the movement of them is very regulated. They also are expensive to feed, it is after all a machine gun.

What I think you are talking about is the Evil black Gun scare tactics. Congratulations you have been assimilated, Resistance is futile.

You said you were "All for 2a" Have you asked yourself what 2a is there for? Its not to give us guns to hunt, or collect, its to give the people the power should it become necessary. By that line of thought yes we as Americans should have the right to the same arms (see I used the word from the constitution) as the government. 2a Says a well regulated Militia, Dont let that make you think National Guard, what the intent there is basically everyone is Militia and 2a gives us the regulation or government authority.

We dont need better gun laws, dont get caught up in the politics. We need to enforce the laws already passed and abolish the one made as knee jerk reactions to the acts of a few criminals. Had the laws in place been enforced these people would not have had access to the guns they used.

It's no surprise the number of pro automatic weapons comments. I hear ya. Semi-automatic hand guns and rifles are good. 2nd amendment rights to bear arms for defense and preservation of life is great. Hunting and gun collection I support. Automatic weapons should have limitations like magazine size and caliber. I'd be surprised if a collector has a .50cal MG or M240/249 series in their home. If they do, why? No "Red Dawn" scenario is gonna happen but hey I'm confident in defending myself, my family and my country with the pistol and rifle I own.

Dear CPT L S,

Great, sir, something we might be able to agree on, and let me say how pleased I am that you've finally articulated at least a portion of your position. I do have my long guns in a 14 gauge metal cabinet with barrel locks. I have one pistol, with loaded magazine, in a small box under my bed. The kind you can open by placing a hand on it and working the combination blind. The rest of my pistols are in a locked case. The keys to everything are locked away, and the keys to that are hidden (in plain sight) but only I know where they are.

But lest we go too far, how can this be made into law? If I want a gun, what do I do? Do I have to schedule an inspection by a government official to see if I have a locked cabinet? What if he doesn't like my cabinet? I note your "suggestion" of police department storage for someone who cannot afford a safe. Is this truly a suggestion, or do you want it to be law? And what are you saying to someone too poor to own a safe, "Sorry, you are too poor to have the right to self defense?"

I am not aware of a single country which has had registration and not later used it to take away guns. So I am opposed to registration. I would be less opposed if the registration law were written to include a paragraph, "ANY use of this registration law to pick up ANY gun not used in the commission of a crime is illegal and carries with it a mandatory 30 year sentence in a federal penitentiary, along with immediate mandatory destruction of the entire registration database." If that wording is included, I'll register mine, because I don't think any gun hater will accept spending 30 years getting sodomized as the price of stealing my right to self defense..

Immigrant bashing? I'm afraid you will have to quote that to me. I do not bash people for looking to improve their lives. But since you brought up the subject of condemning all for the actions of a few, how come all breweries and distilleries or automakers are not at fault for drunk driving? How come all minorities are not at fault for the crimes of a few? How come all guns and all gun owners ARE considered at fault for a few criminals? Pot calling the kettle black, are we? Fair is fair.

I see you have blocked me. No problem. I know you hate having someone expect you to explain your views.

Because this is the United States of America and i have that RIGHT.

For the same reason that some people collect Hummels, cow statues, antique cars, zippo lighters, coke bottles, and my favorite, old oil cans. It's their hobby, they have more money than they know what to do with and no one is hurt by it.

The answer is simple:

Licensed, very well background checked people may choose to own a automatic weapon. Why?, well for one thing they are great fun to fire at targets. I personally couldn't justify the expense of the license, massive ammunition cost or cost of the weapon itself (usually 10k or more) but, that is just me.....I also do not own a .50 cal rifle? Nor do I own a gull wing Mercedes sports coupe....same reason - massive cost. But, I do go and pay the cost to fire a MG at various ranges who offer such service....and it is still a blast. As a retired soldier and Vietnam infantry vet, it took me years to enjoy shooting again. Never the less, I now enjoy knocking down target, take a couple of deer a year and love to shoot doves and quail.......to each his own