[BudS]

I have been told that, unless I have a certain type of federal license, it would be a felony for me to assemble a Sten (or other) machine gun. Is this also true if I assemble a semi-auto version, as I've seen on some web pages?

If all else fails, what does one have to go trough just to OWN (much less shoot) a fully-auto weapon?

Thanks for the education I am about to receive in advance (bracing myself!)

Bud

[gun-fucious]

you could legally build up yer own home brew semi auto sten

check out http://www.catco.net/

manufacturing a FA sten without proper papers would be very bad

[CleverNickname]

Yes. Since May 19, 1986, only those with class 2 manufacturerer licenses may manufacture machineguns. If it's semi-auto, this doesn't apply.

Owning one first means that you must find a transferrable Sten (IE, registered before May 19, 1986). Then you have to shell out a lot more money than it should be worth, because of the artificially limited supply. If the gun is in a different state than you, the seller will have to transfer the gun to a dealer in your state, then the dealer transfers the gun to you. If it's in the same state, it can be transferred directly from the seller to you.

Either way, to have it transferred to you (either from the dealer or directly from the seller), you have to send the ATF a Form 4, which is essentially a tax return saying you've paid the required transfer tax, along with a $200 check for the tax. The form requires that you include your photo and a fingerprint card. You must also get a chief law enforcement official with jurisdiction over the area in which you live (IE, your police chief, sheriff, DA, judge that prosecutes felony cases) to sign off on the form, saying that they don't have any reason to believe that you would be breaking a law by possessing the gun. They are not legally required to sign off on the form if they don't feel like it.

Once you send the form to the ATF, you wait. And then wait some more. And then some more. Even more. Then finally, the ATF will send the approved form 4 back to the transferor, and you can take possession of the gun from them.

Recommended links:

http://www.subguns.com/
http://titleii.com/

[Hkmp5sd]

Bardwell's NFA FAQ (http://www.titleii.com/Bardwell/nfa_faq.txt) will explain the world of NFA weapons to you.

As for the semi-sten, you can make one as long as you do not create a post-ban "Semi-automatic Assault Weapon." The definition of Semi-automatic Assault Weapon can be found here. (http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/crimebill.txt) .

Give them a read and then ask about anything you don't understand.

BTW, machineguns and suppressors are legal in AL, so you can buy them if you want.

[AZRickD]

Or you can become a Class II manufacturer which isn't such a big deal, so I'm told by http://www.arizonaresponsesystems.com

Rick

[Hkmp5sd]

isn't such a big deal

Wanna bet? :) Shall we start with the $1000/yr federal license fee? Then throw in a storefront/business, equipment, local and state licenses, tax ID number and records, insurance (including liability), water/electric/phone utilities, etc.

Even then, you still cannot start making machineguns to your hearts content. You have to get a letter of request from a LEO/government agency for a demonstration of whatever machinegun you are going to make before you can manufacture it. Then you can only make the demo, which is now considered a post-86 dealer sample, which you cannot keep if you give up your license.

[CleverNickname]

You have to get a letter of request from a LEO/government agency for a demonstration of whatever machinegun you are going to make before you can manufacture it.

I believe a C2 can make any machine gun they want w/o an agency requesting it. The LEO letter is only required for transferring post-samples, not manufacture.

[Hkmp5sd]

179.105 (e) The making of machine guns on or after May 19, 1986. Subject to compliance with the provisions of this part, applications to make and register machine guns on or after May 19, 1986, for the benefit of a Federal, State or local governmental entity (e.g., an invention for possible future use of a governmental entity or the making of a weapon in connection with research and development on behalf of such an entity) will be approved if it is established by specific information that the machine gun is particularly suitable for use by Federal, State or local governmental entities and that the making of the weapon is at the request and on behalf of such an entity.

Although I may be interpreting it incorrectly.

[jimpeel]

Essentially, you don't have to assemble anything to have a machine gun in the eyes of the BATF. Example:

You have an entire .50 cal machine gun on a tripod in your living room as a conversation piece. The only thing missing is the right side plate. You do NOT have a machine gun in the eyes of the law. However ...

You have in your possession the right side plate for a .50 cal machine gun but have not one other piece. Not a single one. In the eyes of the law, you are in possession of a machine gun.

By the by, you can buy a .50 cal machine gun, sans right side plate, from several dealers through "Shotgun News" for ~$5,000 plus an added fee for the tripod. That is perfectly legal. However ...

There is the distinct possibility that the BATF will someday pay you a midnight visit and tear your house to the ground looking for that right side plate they are absolutely positive you have.