1989 Import Ban question

[Mark Tyson]

As I understand it, the 1989 ban (signed by sell-out George the First) outlawed the importation of certain scary looking rifles and carbines in the wake of Patrick Purdey's rampage. However, an identical rifle built in the US would be legal. Correct?

Now then, someone told me that you could not take such a weapon that had been imported and modify it with a folding stock, detachable magazine, or other features, even though these features would be legal on a gun built here in the US

Can someone give me a detailed run down on just what the 89 import ban did? Also, how, if at all, could we get this thing repealed?

 

[Hkmp5sd]

There is a misconception about the "89 import ban." What happened it Bush (41) directed ATF to review the firearms being imported to ensure they meet the "sporting" clause in the '68 CGA.

ATF set up the "features" that military firearms have and "sporting" firearms do not have and determined which ones were "useful" as "sporting" firearms. Everything else was denied importation.

In the '68 CGA, the "sporting" clause only applies to imported firearms. Firearms made it the US do not have to meet that requirement.

To make a long story short, ATF identified the various parts of a firearm and decided that any firearm that did not contain more than 10 of these foreign made parts would be considered "Made in USA." That is why you see clones of H&K, Uzi and AKs in Shotgun News. They have enough US parts to be considered home grown.

This entire list of guns prohibited from importation can go away simply by the Director of ATF changing what ATF considers a "sporting firearm."

 

[Hkmp5sd]

In case anyone wants the full story....

REPORT AND RECOMMENDATION OF THE ATF WORKING GROUP ON THE IMPORTABILITY OF CERTAIN SEMIAUTOMATIC RIFLES - 1989