Certainly true. We can say that we don't consider people who do so "BAD" or "EVIL"...but yes, they are criminal.
Yet one can be a criminal, and be completely morally right. Consider those who wrote the declaration of independence for instance. They were
all branded criminals. History is filled with examples of those who broke unjust laws and are regarded as patriots.
What makes people think our time is any different than those of the past?
The law is always used to enslave a populace. One cannot rule, and be a criminal, now can they? Rather, they modify the rule to suit their behavior. Now think of certain members of congress, and how they submit countless pieces of anti-gun legislation, while exempting themselves and their staff.
If one cares to, you can draw a great many parallels between our current so-called leaders, and evil tyrants of the past.
It's really not hard. One statement defines it in full, without any explanation or interpretation required; “Tyranny is defined as that which is legal for the government but illegal for the citizenry.”
― Thomas Jefferson
The government, military, LEO, and various other agents of the government can legally buy newly manufactured machine guns.
I, as a citizen of this country in good standing, can not.
While not directly related to this thread, you can find countless instances of things that government agents are allowed to do or simply get away with that would land a regular citizen in federal prison.
The average person's grasp of true freedom in this country is enough to make me vomit. Our every move is regulated by the tyrants in our government, yet all anyone wants to do is "calm down" and marginalize those who speak out. Make no mistake, we will be our own undoing, as we've lost the ability to keep our republic. Statements by people on this forum in regard to our rights assures me of it. While trying to act so civilized and evolved, they submit themselves for rule by any willing tyrant.
Does it really matter what name the tyrant goes by? Republican, Democrat, socialist, liberal, conservative. It matters not. Anyone that would deny someone else their liberty or rights granted by God is by very definition a tyrant. Our government is a law creating force numbering in the hundreds of thousands. Their entire purpose, is to create law, yet there is no real consideration given to whether law is required.
How many laws can possibly be created?
We've reached a point where virtually every law that is created, will absolutely infringe on personal liberty for the sake of collective welfare.
The label of criminal has absolutely no meaning to me. The act of the person in question is where the value is assigned. Child rapist, murderer, thief. Those are absolutely morally wrong and everyone knows it from the time they are able to comprehend their actions.
I refuse to allow the government to decide what I view to be wrong.
If someone were to make an illegal machine gun, that is their prerogative. I'll hold no ill will toward them. If they go on a murderous rampage, it will not be the fault of the condition of their firearm.