Legal questions on .50BMG rifles

[Phantom Warrior]

I was talking guns with a few guys at tae kwon do tonight. One of them said he had a friend who had a full-auto M16A1, full-auto AK, AND a .50BMG rifle, implying that .50 rifles are restricted. I said they weren't and he said "Oh, this is a Barrett. One of the military ones (or military style, I'm not sure what he meant)."

My question to you all. What legal restrictions are there, if any, on owning a .50BMG rifle? Be it fixed action, bolt, semi, whatever. I didn't think there were any, since it's basically just a BIG rifle (but not big enough to be a destructive device). However, I'm not a .50 owner, so I'm not sure. Help me out here?

P.S. I searched the forum and didn't find anything relevant. If someone knows of a relevant thread, post it. I'll delete this one and save you all the trouble.

 

[gun-fucious]

barretts are perfectly legal to own as are properly registered full auto M-16s

anyone talking about a friends illegal gun collection is a moron

morons say many entertaining things
mortons sells huge bags of salt too

 

[El Tejon]

Phantom, the man is lying to you. Do not believe a single word he says.

 

[50 Shooter]

The only restriction that I know of is the Barrett M82 and that's only here in Kali. It falls under the AWB being that it's semi-auto, has a pistol grip and a detachable box magazine and don't forget that it's black also. Other then that, there are no restrictions on owning a .50 caliber rifle.

A few years back they were selling Desert Storm 82's, from what I remember they were being offered to dealers only who in turn sold them to the public anyway. Most were sold above retail (10K+) with the "it's been in combat" line, what they didn't mention was the fact that they were used and abused. That and they had a SLAP chambered barrel that was pretty much useless with regular ammo.

 

[SteelyDan]

I am by no means an expert on this stuff, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn last night, so...

I think you can buy single-shot .50 calibers exactly the same as you'd buy a deer hunting rifle. Pick up a copy of Shotgun News at your local newsstand, and you'll see several advertisements for them, including Barretts.

I haven't seen ads for semi-auto .50s, however, or at least I don't remember them, so I'm less sure if Joe Sixpack can buy one. Offhand, I don't know why the regulations would be any different for a semi .50 than for a semi 5.56, but I'm beyond my comfort zone here.

Some states, California comes to mind, may have special regulations about .50s. Others will know better than I do.

Finally, in some states it is legal to own fully automatic weapons, if you comply with certain state and federal licenses and fees. In other states, you can own and shoot auto weapons if you comply with the licenses and fees. I've heard, from fairly unreliable sources, that it's legal to own full autos in Minnesota (if you get all the licenses, etc.), but that it's not legal to shoot them.

On the other hand, I think I've heard about gun ranges in town that offer the full-auto experience, so maybe it is possible.

Why did I post this? I was trying to help a fellow Minnesotan, but I think I just made things worse. Sorry, but even with a law degree these regulations are virtually indecipherable. My final pet peeve: call your city, county, state, and federal law enforcement bureaus, and be prepared for at least 2 or 3 different answers. Sigh...

 

[gun-fucious]

have an extra 8k bucks?

order away and get it shipped to yer FFL:
http://petesdiscountfirearms.com/BarrettM82A1M.html

 

[MPFreeman]

I don't believe this guy at all. I want to see his Full Autos first. Which "SEEL" team was he in?

 

[rock jock]

The only restriction that I know of is on my wallet. Also, many ranges, including my local gun club, prohibits them.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Thanks for the quick reply everyone. You all basically confirmed what I was thinking.

In defense of my friend, go easy on him. I think the story got a little muddled coming through two hops. And HIS friend might be a moron. But he's alright.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

There is a "poor man's" version of the .50BMG going for $1750 (18" or 22") and $2000 (29"). Uses your AR/M16 lower.

The UltraMag 50

 

[ARperson]

Whew! For a minute there I thought my beeeeee-yoooo-tiful State Arms was illegal.

:banghead: I guess that goes with the plastic guns that one can sneak through airport security, huh?

 

[4v50 Gary]

Los Federales limit you to 50 cal. Anything bigger needs to be licensed. State laws may vary. I want one too and am hoping Steyr-Aug organizes another Barrett buy. Gotta keep those boys in Murfreesboro busy.

 

[chas_martel]

MPFreeman,

What's wrong with someone having full-auto's?

Is it just because it is owned alongside a 50 BMG?

 

[HankB]

I've heard, from fairly unreliable sources, that it's legal to own full autos in Minnesota (if you get all the licenses, etc.), but that it's not legal to shoot them.

In MN you can own "curio and relic" full autos if you jump through all the hoops - with few exceptions, this mostly means WWII and before. Thompson SMGs are owned - and shot - by more than a few people I've met in Minnesota.

 

[El Tejon]

chas, Matt is pointing out that the guy is lying. He doesn't own any Title II weapons and has no idea what he is saying.

 

[cracked butt]

Los Federales limit you to 50 cal. Anything bigger needs to be licensed

Except for black powder weapons.

 

[ACP230]

There's a big shoot in May and September outside Princeton, Minnesota.
There are quite a few MG dealers and C&R license holders attending.

I shot a Smith M76, a UD M42, an M14, a watercooled 1917 Browning, and an AR18 there a few years ago. Fun!