So I wanna buy a Vietnam-Era M-16A1 that has seen battle, can I?

M

MyGunsJammed

New member
I have 3 relatives in Thailand who are cheif of police in their provinces (all retired now) and some relatives who are serving as full time soldiers in the Thai army.

I do notice that many of them still use the old vietnam era M-16A1's....

A few years ago my uncle, who was chief of police in his province took me up into the mountains one day and let me go crazy firing his vietnam-era M-16A1..... which was a ton of fun...

so anyhow, suppose I live in a state which permits private ownership of full-auto rifles and suppose I have my class 3 licenses and tax stamps, will I be able to legally import one of my uncles old M-16A1 rifles if he happen to decide that he wanted to get rid one or two of them?

If this could be done legally, I can imagine how cool it would be to be able to go to the range and say, yeah, my old M-16A1 rifle has seen battle.... :D

Discuss....
 
You [probably] wouldn't be able to bring it into the country because of the [IIRC] 1989 import ban and you wouldn't be able to register it because of the 1986 Gun Owner's Protection Act, which stopped registration of new machine guns.

Sorry.
 
The 1989 import ban only affects certain semi-auto weapons. The 1968 Gun Control Act would probably prevent the import of the M16 though. If it could be imported, then the next question would be whether the importer could register a pre-1986 machinegun as transferrable if it wasn't on the registry prior to 1986. I am guessing no; but I haven't looked up the law.
 
The 1989 import ban only affects certain semi-auto weapons. The 1968 Gun Control Act would probably prevent the import of the M16 though. If it could be imported, then the next question would be whether the importer could register a pre-1986 machinegun as transferrable if it wasn't on the registry prior to 1986. I am guessing no; but I haven't looked up the law.
Click to expand...
The answer is no. If the gun wasn't on the registry prior to the 1986 ban then you may not add it now regardless of when the gun was made. If you could register guns on the NFA based upon their year of manufacture, we would have a boat load of AK's and WWII machineguns for sale at dirt cheap prices.

I wish we could...

You could probably get an importer to bring it in as a military/police only weapon, then get a FFL/SOT and keep it around that way. However, if you did that you would need a police department here in the states draft you a demo letter saying they want to see the gun demonstrated. If you ever give up your FFL/SOT the gun either gets sold to another dealer or turned over to the government as you can't keep it.
 
The IMPORTATION of NFA weapons for civilians was banned by the Gun Control Act of 1968... this is why you never see ORIGINAL FACTORY HK
MP5's for sale...
 
Here's what the ATF says. This is ONLY the NFA.
(M7) May a private citizen who owns an NFA firearm which is not registered have the firearm registered? [Back]
No. The NFA permits only manufacturers, makers, and importers to register firearms. Mere possessors may not register firearms. An unregistered NFA firearm is a contraband firearm, and it is unlawful to possess the weapon. The possessor should contact the nearest ATF office to arrange for its disposition.
[26 U.S.C. 5861(d)]

"Violators may be fined not more than $250,000, and imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. In addition, any vessel, vehicle or aircraft used to transport, conceal or possess an unregistered NFA firearm is subject to seizure and forfeiture, as is the weapon itself."
[49 U.S.C. 781-788, 26 U.S.C. 5861 and 5872]

"(M11) How does a person qualify to import, manufacture, or deal in NFA firearms?
The person must be licensed under the GCA and pay the required special (occupational) tax imposed by the NFA. After becoming licensed under the GCA, he or she must file ATF Form 5630.7 with the appropriate tax payment in the entire amount with ATF. In addition, an importer (except importers of sporting shotguns and shotgun ammunition) must also be registered with ATF under the Arms Export Control Act of 1976.
[26 U.S.C. 5801, 18 U.S.C. 923, 27 CFR 447.31, 478.41 and 479.34]

"(N2) May machine guns be transferred from one registered owner to another?
Yes. If the machine gun was lawfully registered and possessed before May 19, 1986, it may be transferred pursuant to an approved ATF Form 4.
[18 U.S.C. 922(o)(2), 26 U.S.C. 5812]

The GCA doesn't allow firearms sent to Allies etc to be re-imported though.
 
^^

Thanks for the info....

ohh well screw it then.....I notice that buying a full auto M16 costs as much as buying a new car, and I am not that rich so ohh well....

I guess when go back for vacation in Thailand I'll have to call up my relatives who are still active duty soldiers, or police officers to take me to the range, then I can have some fun with their rusty ol' M16A1's
 
ohh well screw it then.....I notice that buying a full auto M16 costs as much as buying a new car, and I am not that rich so ohh well....
Click to expand...

You'll never get there with that attitude!

You just need patience and self-discipline.
 
^^^

True, I agree, but I dont know man, unless I had $20K laying around to burn on a gun, I'll just stick with the semi-auto versions :D
 
Yep, these GCA and NFA and FOPA laws sure work at stopping crimes! :barf:

Best it looks like you can do is buy an AR15 with an M16A1 type handguard :)
 
Jammed, this America, buddy. Think positive. Okay, so it's expensive to buy and own an old M-16 that shoots in full automatic mode. Plan ahead, do some work, save your bucks and down the road buy your dream gun. Of course, you may have to be selective where you live in order to have and use your toy because SOME states are so anti-gun. But the thing is that you CAN do what you want with some forethought and work over here. You've just got to research things. Go for your dream, buddy. Have at it. Now... as to my dream of being married to Shania Twain AND Faith Hill at the SAME TIME... well... Maybe I'm not being realistic in MY case but I can still hope, can't I????? :p
 
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