AlexanderA
Member
The NFA is really an outdated "historical artifact." In 1934, this was an attempt to outlaw the guns used by the most notorious criminals of the time. That meant, primarily, the Thompson SMG, which was the most frightening of all. And of course, handguns -- but a ban on handguns was a non-starter, because lots of law-abiding people had them. But Congress left in the provisions that banned handguns converted from long guns. (Which didn't make sense if the handguns themselves were not banned.)
Skip forward to the 21st century. The classic Thompson is a relic. There are lots of unregulated semiautomatic guns available that are more effective than a Thompson (or any machine gun), because they waste less ammunition. One would think that these semiautomatic guns would be the natural target of the NFA. But, once again, such a ban is a non-starter, because lots of law-abiding people have them.
So the question then becomes, why have the NFA at all? It doesn't accomplish its stated purpose of removing dangerous weapons.
Skip forward to the 21st century. The classic Thompson is a relic. There are lots of unregulated semiautomatic guns available that are more effective than a Thompson (or any machine gun), because they waste less ammunition. One would think that these semiautomatic guns would be the natural target of the NFA. But, once again, such a ban is a non-starter, because lots of law-abiding people have them.
So the question then becomes, why have the NFA at all? It doesn't accomplish its stated purpose of removing dangerous weapons.