What Full Auto Guns Can Civilians Buy?
For civilians, owning a full-auto weapon is a significant decision, and it’s essential to understand the laws and regulations surrounding their purchase and possession. In the United States, federal law prohibits civilians from buying and owning full-auto firearms, except in specific circumstances. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of full-auto weapons and explore what civilians can buy and what they cannot.
Federal Law: The National Firearms Act (NFA)
The National Firearms Act (NFA) was enacted in 1934 to regulate the sale, possession, and transfer of certain firearms, including machine guns. The NFA defines a machine gun as "any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily converted to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger."
Civilians Can Buy: Short-Barreled Shotguns (SBS) and Short-Barreled Rifles (SBR)
Under the NFA, civilians can purchase short-barreled shotguns (SBS) and short-barreled rifles (SBR) if they meet specific requirements. These weapons are defined as:
- Short-Barreled Shotgun (SBS): A shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches (46 cm) and an overall length of less than 26 inches (66 cm).
- Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR): A rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches (41 cm) and an overall length of less than 30 inches (76 cm).
To purchase an SBS or SBR, civilians must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Be a resident of the state where the purchase is being made
- Pass a background check
- Pay a $200 transfer tax
- Comply with state and local laws
Civilians Cannot Buy: Fully Automatic Firearms
Fully automatic firearms, including machine guns, are heavily restricted and cannot be purchased by civilians. These weapons are classified as:
- Machine Gun: A firearm that can fire automatically more than one shot with a single function of the trigger.
The production, sale, and possession of machine guns are heavily regulated, and civilians cannot buy or own them unless they meet specific requirements. These requirements include:
- Being a member of a law enforcement agency or the military
- Having a special permit issued by the Attorney General
- Meeting specific background check requirements
Civilians Can Buy: Fully Automatic Firearms with Special Permits
In some cases, civilians can purchase fully automatic firearms with special permits. These permits are issued by the Attorney General and are only granted to specific individuals, such as:
- Law enforcement officers
- Military personnel
- Civilians who have demonstrated a legitimate need for the weapon
To obtain a special permit, civilians must:
- Meet specific background check requirements
- Demonstrate a legitimate need for the weapon
- Pay a fee
Conclusion
In conclusion, civilians can purchase short-barreled shotguns (SBS) and short-barreled rifles (SBR) under the National Firearms Act (NFA), but fully automatic firearms, including machine guns, are heavily restricted. To purchase SBS and SBR, civilians must meet specific requirements, including being at least 21 years old, passing a background check, and paying a transfer tax. Civilians cannot purchase fully automatic firearms without special permits, which are only granted to specific individuals who demonstrate a legitimate need for the weapon.
Table: NFA Definitions
Weapon Type | Definition | Barrel Length | Overall Length |
---|---|---|---|
Short-Barreled Shotgun (SBS) | Shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches | < 18 inches | < 26 inches |
Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR) | Rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches | < 16 inches | < 30 inches |
Machine Gun | Firearm that can fire automatically more than one shot with a single function of the trigger | N/A | N/A |
Bullets: What Civilians Can Buy and What They Cannot
- Civilians can buy:
- Short-barreled shotguns (SBS)
- Short-barreled rifles (SBR)
- Civilians cannot buy:
- Fully automatic firearms (machine guns)
- Fully automatic weapons without special permits
- Civilians can buy with special permits:
- Fully automatic firearms (machine guns) for law enforcement, military, or other specific individuals who demonstrate a legitimate need for the weapon