The Machine Gun Scam: U.S. vs. Clark
Back in 2008, the internet was talking about the scam where some unscrupulous dealers would take a cheaper lawfully registered machine gun and convert it into a more expensive one. For instance, someone could convert a MAC (going for about $3K) into a Browning (at $15K). It was not a lawful conversion and was mostly altering receivers and fudging NFA paperwork. Now, it looks like there’s a federal case on a similar issue. And there are some questions about the extent that ATF was aware.
October 31st, 2011 at 2:17 pm
Could this be described as simply counterfeiting?
October 31st, 2011 at 5:20 pm
Fraud would be more accurate.
November 1st, 2011 at 9:27 pm
I understand why you post “It was not a lawful conversion” But the article you link to specifically casts doubt on that statement.
“No statute or regulation addresses the alteration of registered machine guns (other than a prohibition on altering the serial number).
”
In fact the case casts doubt on the idea that the ATF’s “rulings” are lawfull at all.
From the same link you posted
“Generically, the Clark case is about the extent to which: …..
ATF and particularly its Firearms Technology Branch can arbitrarily create regulations that have no basis in law”
I am not sugesting people do anything that is “unlawfull” but neither would I suggest that something is unlawfull, when it is under question in this case. And not specifically unlawfull based on the writing of the law itself.
November 1st, 2011 at 11:39 pm
If there’s nothing illegal about cutting the serial number off of firearm A and welding it onto Firearm B, then the whole scheme of gun laws falls apart, because the serial number is the main basis for gun regulation (not the only one, but the Gun Control Act and the National Firearms Act both fall apart without it).
Just an observation.