Liberal Forum

Skans » 22 Jun 2022, 6:00 pm » wrote: ↑

22 Jun 2022, 6:00 pm

Clearly, there were full-auto machine guns before there was ever any legislative definition.  Originally, there was no distinction between full-autos and semi-autos - they were all legal for any 18 year old to buy and own. Could buy Tommy Guns at the hardware store.

Some were more difficult to obtain, however.  Like the M1918 Browning BAR. I think those had to be special ordered because there wasn't much call for those.

What needs to be understood  by many is between the ratification of the bill off rights until the NFA of 1934 there was no federal legislation of firearms.  

James Madison himself enacted policies that were designed to make it easier for the avg citizen to obtain the most advanced firearms of his time.  It could be argued the he wanted citizens to be able to own the same weapons as a national standing army.

@Blackvegetable