Buying deactivated guns from Europe - legal?

[IMtheNRA]

I've been looking at some websites with GREAT deactivated guns for sale in places like England, Belgium, etc.

A dealer in England responded to my inquiry and said that sadly, he can not ship to the US, but he did not say whether that is an export restriction imposed by England or if US does not allow these guns to be imported.

Can anyone explain the rules on importing deactivated guns. Also, what is the procedure used for deactivating them? Many are described as being able to be stripped and dry fired, with workable actions (not welded shut), so I think they are not too badly damaged by deactivation.

 

[jsalcedo]

Check shotgun news, cheaperthandirt and J&G sales I've seen em all those places.

the ATF website has the rules.

I think the recievers have to be torch cut in 3 places

 

[thatguy]

Bear in mind that U.S. rules on deactivated are not the same as most European countries. What is deactivated in Belgium or Germany may be considered as still active by the ATF. I would check with ATF about import rules. What do you do with a deactivated gun?

 

[femoralis]

No you can't, those have an intact reciever, with some mods to make them unshootable. Dummy guns in the US have a fake reciever.

 

[macavada]

Question: Why do people buy these?

 

[jsalcedo]

Question: Why do people buy these?

Because in many cases it is the only possible way to own one (or what is taking up the space of what used to be)

If you want a bren, madsen, carl gustav etc.. it might be the only way to get one on your living room wall.

 

[WhiteKnight]

Because in many cases it is the only possible way to own one (or what is taking up the space of what used to be)

Or "because in many cases it is the only possible way to own one by being able to purchase a working reciever

 

[Harve Curry]

I tried to buy a deactivated 1873 Winchester 44-40 that the brits had ruined, they would not even talk to me except to email reply that it was not for sale to Americans.

 

[cslinger]

They also could make a nice wall hanger or decoration without fear of a thief, child or irresponsible adult steeling or abusing it.

Chris