On gun laws that are dumb
I knew Glock made a .380 and that it wasn’t available in the US. I never really knew why. Now, I do. It seems the ATF has a point system that determines if a pistol can be imported. A pistol must score 75 points. Here’s the point system:
|
Characteristic |
Points |
|
Length: for each 1/4" over 6" |
1 |
|
Forged steel frame |
15 |
|
Forged HTS alloy frame |
20 |
|
Unloaded weight w/mag (per oz.) |
1 |
|
.22 short and .25 auto |
0 |
|
.22 LR and 7.65mm to .380 auto |
3 |
|
9mm parabellum and over |
10 |
|
Locked breech mechanism |
5 |
|
Loaded chamber indicator |
5 |
|
Grip safety |
3 |
|
Magazine safety |
5 |
|
Firing pin block or lock |
10 |
|
External hammer |
2 |
|
Double action |
10 |
|
Drift adjustable target sight |
5 |
|
Click adjustable target sight |
10 |
|
Target grips |
5 |
|
Target trigger |
2 |
That seems rather, uhm, totally random. The site also notes:
Changes and features made to Glocks to comply with the BATF rules:
– all models are imported with a cheap click-adjustable rear sight that is replaced at the factory with the stock sight
– target (grooved) trigger added to compacts & subcompacts
– target grips added to all models (required for the subcompacts)
– due to their caliber, .380 autos (G25 & G28) do not score enough points to be imported
December 15th, 2005 at 2:29 pm
A 12 inch barrel would net you an extra 24 points under this system. You could have the barrel cut by the end user. Of course, that would be a loophole that would only encourage extra regs from the ninja tobacco-inspectors.
December 15th, 2005 at 5:53 pm
I thought this restriction might count as a free trade violation. After all, guns that don’t meet these requirements can be made and sold in the U.S.. Since foreign manufacturers must meet a different standard, it would seem like protectionism.
Hell, the WTO punished the U.S. for making internet gambling illegal. The federal government was just trying to make sure that gambling was a States’ Rights issue (each State decides if gambling is legal or illegal), but the WTO didn’t really seem to care.
I wonder if anyone’s tried to challenge it at the WTO?
December 15th, 2005 at 6:27 pm
Does anyone know what law gives them the ability/authority to decide ridiculous things like this? I don’t understand how our government got to the point that they believe they should regulate the type of sight I have on my firearm.
December 15th, 2005 at 6:55 pm
Sporting purpose language of the 1968 GCA.
December 16th, 2005 at 1:27 am
Even if they would make import points, Glock likely wouldn’t import them, as the 25 and 28 would just cannibalize sales from the already-profitable 19 and 26.
These chubby sloppily-converted .380’s are mainly intended for markets where “military calibers” like 9×19 are a no-go.
Would it amuse you further to know that:
1) Every small Glock comes into this country with a set of flimsy adjustable sights (which are then knocked off) to make import points?
2) The little thumb-divots and serrated trigger faces on mini Glocks count as “Target Grips” and “Target Triggers” and were put there to curry import points from the BATF?
3) All small-frame Taurus snubnoses come into the country with long barrels, which are then unscrewed and replaced with short barrels?
December 16th, 2005 at 1:29 am
Edit: Whoops! Shoulda read below the table in your post. 😮
September 8th, 2006 at 8:25 am
[…] Yeah, street thugs are going to buy them for $5,000. And they’re not really powerful enough to be much of a threat. I’m pretty sure importing these items may be illegal as they don’t meet the point system for handgun importation. That’s assuming these are classified as firearms. […]
October 17th, 2006 at 12:40 am
[…] I was also reminded that there’s a CZ 110 out there which would fit my bill much better. Instead of a DAO pistols it’s DA/SA and more on par with what you’d expect from a CZ trigger. Unfortunately because it has an SA mode it doesn’t qualify under the asinine BATFE import regulations. […]