A Class By Itself

In those states where it is legal, to purchase a machine gun (rifle caliber) or sub-machinegun (pistol caliber), you just need the affadavit and signature of the local chief law enforcement officer, a photograph, fingerprints, $200 for the tax stamp, and the patience to wait six months for the FBI to complete their background investigation...not to mention the thousands of dollars of the gun's purchase price. It doesn't matter if you've already done most of this to get your concealed carry permit. It doesn't matter if you've done all this previously for a different weapon. You've got to jump through the hoops. These Class III firearms (also included: silenced weapons, sawed-off shotguns, etc.) , are heavily regulated, and the only weapons that really fall into the category of assault weapons. A criminal can not jump through these hoops to posess these weapons, the FBI won't let them. No crime has been committed by a legally owned Class III weapon in 50 years--except once by a law enforcement officer who didn't have to jump through these hoops. Still think cops should be the only ones with guns?

Collectors of Class III weapons are tax-paying, law-abiding citizens. Some have made a business of sharing the joy of shooting full auto. Drop by the Knob Creek Gun Range in Kentucky during their April or October Machine Gun Shoots and you'll see lots of hobbyists enjoy the wonders of rock and roll. These people are middle-to-upper class, economically, and know that shooting is fun and the more fun, the better (they're also patronizing local businesses--good for the ecomony!). I've never rented a gun at a commercial range, but if I did, it would be have to be full-auto. Thompson or MP-5, I'm thinking.

The thugs who illegally convert semi-autos to full-auto or smuggle machine guns into the country are already criminals by those acts and are up to no good with them. The low-lifes who tried to pull off the North Hollywood Bank Robberies are a good example. Put scum like that in the ground or behind bars.

Don't forget to check out the Carnival of Cordite Friday!