New ATF bill on importing barrels, parts. etc.

[Byron Quick]

I've killed a deer with an unmodified AK clone. With iron sights. Running. Legal rifle to hunt deer in Georgia. Non-sporting, huh?

 

[Kurush]

I've killed a deer with an unmodified AK clone. With iron sights. Running. Legal rifle to hunt deer in Georgia. Non-sporting, huh?

Likely story. AK-47s have only one purpose: to kill children. That's why they're sold in Russia under the name VEPR, which means "baby eating gun nut".

:duck:

 

[Bartholomew Roberts]

It's my understanding that the new Attorney General appointed by Bush is responsible for having the ATF re-interpret (ban) this one. So we have Bush I to thank for the '89 Import Ban. Clinton to thank for the '94 AWB and Bush II to thank for the '05 Barrel Ban.

In 1989, the ATF determined that military-style semi-automatics did not meet the "generally recognized sporting purposes test". This test says it is not enough that the rifle has a sporting purpose; but that rifle must be "generally recognized" as having a sporting purpose.

In 1990, the Unsoeld Amendment was passed that codified thse changes into law. It also made it illegal to assemble a banned rifle from imported parts. Using the Unsoeld Amendment as its basis, in 1999 the ATF under the Clinton Administration ruled that parts kits could not be imported as a result of this law.

In 2000 the ATF reversed itself under the Bush Administration and declared these kits could be imported for "repair and replacement purposes only".

The recent ruling basically says that there is no legal room in the original 1990 law to allow import even for "repair and replacement" and that this practice will be prohibited in the future.

 

[SmershAgent]

In 1989, the ATF determined that military-style semi-automatics did not meet the "generally recognized sporting purposes test". This test says it is not enough that the rifle has a sporting purpose; but that rifle must be "generally recognized" as having a sporting purpose.

In 1990, the Unsoeld Amendment was passed that codified thse changes into law. It also made it illegal to assemble a banned rifle from imported parts. Using the Unsoeld Amendment as its basis, in 1999 the ATF under the Clinton Administration ruled that parts kits could not be imported as a result of this law.

In 2000 the ATF reversed itself under the Bush Administration and declared these kits could be imported for "repair and replacement purposes only".

The recent ruling basically says that there is no legal room in the original 1990 law to allow import even for "repair and replacement" and that this practice will be prohibited in the future.

All of which is a result of the 1968 GCA, which I believe was the original source of the "sporting" language. That single component of the legislation has probably done more harm to peaceful gun owners than anything else since, in my opinion.