Importation of Russian firearms and ammunition

[EricTheBarbarian]

Im sure many of you have heard recently about the Russian government giving nuclear fuel to Iran who just happens to be an enemy of the United States. The link to the story is here

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4301889.stm

This makes me wonder how long until a ban on importation of Russian firearms and ammunition. The relationship between russia and the US seems a bit shakey and I wouldnt necessarily call it friendly or stable.

This would not be good news for mosin collectors and people who enjoy buying Wolf 7.62x39 and other calibers. Does anyone know if a bill would have to be passed through congress to ban russian importation or through some sort of executive powers having to be exercised? Maybe the BATFE could just stop allowing russian rifles and ammunition from entering the country. There arent too many affordable or very good domestic manufacturers of ammunition that Ive seen for 7.62x54r and 7.62x39. If anything like this were to happen I would probably hear about it on THR long before most people would.

Any thoughts on the subject, or am I just being paranoid?

 

[Cosmoline]

I doubt anything will happen for now, but it might depending on who wins next year. It would be fairly easy for an anti-gun President to limit the trade deals set up with Yeltzin.

 

[MD_Willington]

My Russian rifle fires US ammo and uses Israeli magazines...

 

[Nobody's_Hero]

One drop in the bucket

Heck, I'd rather have American's buying up the Russian surplus than the Iranians. A ban on Soviet era firearms would only hurt us. Of course, there's something like 10 milbiltrillion AK's in the Middle East already, so . . .

 

[1 old 0311]

NO.........NO............NO President would try to repeal the Second Amendment. HOWEVER the Second, doesn't say anything about banning foreign weapons, and ammo.
This is where we will be attacked, and hard.

 

[NukemJim]

Does anyone know if a bill would have to be passed through congress to ban russian importation or through some sort of executive powers having to be exercised?

Either of the above mentiones methods would be legal as I understand the situation.

IIRC the ban on Chinese imports (excepting sporting shotguns) was done as an executive order, but the GCA of 68 went through congress and was signed into law by the President.

NukemJim

PS IANAL and as always could be wrong NukemJim

 

[Robert Hairless]

To paraphrase many of our fellow forum members: The Second Amendment gives the people the right to keep and bear arms.

But it does not give people the right to have ammunition or parts.

 

[El Tejon]

Eric, you do realize that your concern has already happened, right? You remember the VRA of '96?

 

[offthepaper]

I think the Russians are selling to the Iranians and the US for the same reason---ca$h.

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

double post

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

triple post

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

yes, a quadruple post.

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

You remember the VRA of '96?

explain please, i tried a google search and all I could find was voting rights act. im not sure what you mean

 

[El Tejon]

VRA=Voluntary Restraint of Trade Agreement signed April 3, 1996.

Clinton was terrified that Russian guns would pour into the USA so he paid the Russians off and got a "good gun" list and a "bad gun" list. Mr. Google should tell you more.

 

[White Horseradish]

This agreement is why we can't get SVD rifles here.

 

[siglite]

But it does not give people the right to have ammunition or parts.

Wait, what? How is a rifle an armament without ammo? Or was that tongue in cheek?

 

[EricTheBarbarian]

does this agreement expire or have to renewed, or is it just effective until someone says otherwise? If this agreement happened just because, it doesnt seem too far fetched that if there is a reason there could be a complete ban on all russian ammo and firearms

 

[Matt304]

VRA=Voluntary Restraint of Trade Agreement signed April 3, 1996.

Clinton was terrified that Russian guns would pour into the USA so he paid the Russians off and got a "good gun" list and a "bad gun" list. Mr. Google should tell you more.

I could only find an amend update list of 74 firearm models, not the complete list: http://www.thehighroad.org/archive/index.php/t-79261.html

I'm curious as well, is there an expiration date on this 1996 agreement?