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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsI Built This AK-47. It's Legal and Totally Untraceable.
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2013/05/ak-47-semi-automatic-rifle-building-partyThe AK-47, perhaps the world's best-known gun, is so easy to make and so hard to break that the Soviet-designed original has spawned countless variants, updated and modified versions churned out by factories all over the globe. Although US customs laws ban importing the weapons, parts kitswhich include most original components of a Kalashnikov variantare legal. So is reassembling them, as long as no more than 10 foreign-made components are used and they are mounted on a new receiver, the box-shaped central frame that holds the gun's key mechanics. There are no fussy irritations like, say, passing a background check to buy a kit. And because we're assembling the guns for our own "personal use," whatever that may entail, we're not required to stamp in serial numbers. These rifles are totally untraceable, and even under California's stringent assault weapons ban, that's perfectly within the law.
Among those ready to get going at this "build party" (none of whom wanted their names used) are a father-son duo getting in some bonding time and a well-bellied sixtysomething with a white Fu Manchu who "loves" the click-ack! sound of a round being chambered. Assembling a Romanian variant is a builder wearing a camo jacket and a hat embroidered with an AR-15 rifle above the legend "Come and take it." His knuckle tattoos read "PRAY HARD."
We crowd in as our three hosts, all expert gun assemblers, hand out waivers with a list of questions: Are you a convicted felon? Ever been dishonorably discharged from the military? Addicted to drugs? Mentally unstable? The guy in camo looks up and, to much laughter, says, "So it's all 'No,' right?"
The AK-47 is probably more geopolitically significant than the Atomic bomb, if I had to choose.
Puzzledtraveller
(5,937 posts)They also have a distinct sound when fired I have noticed.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)Deeper and shorter than the M-16's, but with a longer echo.
premium
(3,731 posts)we were taught the difference in sounds between the AK-47 and the M-16.
When I arrived in country, in Vietnam, I immediately knew when an AK-47 was being fired, something I never have forgotten.
1-Old-Man
(2,667 posts)Its called a Federal Firearms Permit if I'm not mistaken and it is incredibly difficult to obtain one that allows a person to build a fully automatic weapon. I have a close friend who has that license and has in fact made 1 fully automatic gun (though nothing much like an AK) and I worked with a fellow who set up to build receivers in his garage but is in jail right now for doing it. Short ending to the story, if you think any clown with a lathe can legally make his own gun you're out of your mind.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)Read the article.
premium
(3,731 posts)as long as it's not full auto and you are not going to sell it.
aikoaiko
(34,169 posts)Once its made all the same laws apply.
dembotoz
(16,802 posts)and I want one of those made on a copy machine plastic guns too.
that is part of the problem
a lot of this gun stuff is just cool
I do not hunt
I do not even like to fish because I feel sorry for the worms....
but damnit
this is cool
Sancho
(9,067 posts)I'm a gun owner, and I think all gun users should...
1.) have a license (after background check and mental health clearance)
2.) take required safety courses and demonstrat performance to renew the license
3.) obtain gun-owners insurance (and companies might require listing guns, safe storage, etc.)
4.) register all guns the licensed users possesses including homemade, inherited, purchased, etc.)
5.) present a valid license to purchase guns, ammo, gun parts, etc.
6.) present a valid license to enter a gun club, obtain a hunting license, etc.
Just like a DUI, if you possess a gun without such a license, then you go to jail and your gun goes to impound until a judge let's you go.
It's past time to do something about all the guns...and this article highlights yet another loophole.
Recursion
(56,582 posts)That is not a registry. That does not let the government know who owns what. That is simply a license that pre-clears possessors to enjoy the rights afforded under the 2nd amendment.
Paladin
(28,254 posts)Recursion
(56,582 posts)Let this be a day written in DU stone
Paladin
(28,254 posts)Junkdrawer
(27,993 posts)I was starting to get my affairs in order.
Paladin
(28,254 posts)Recursion
(56,582 posts)Which is what i said right above yours
Lizzie Poppet
(10,164 posts)With the exception of registration (which I consider largely useless), I concur on all points.
roamer65
(36,745 posts)I don't disagree with you on some of your points, but a lot of them won't work in America. Guns are too ingrained into our culture now. It will eventually have to be all or nothing.
Junkdrawer
(27,993 posts)That'll learn those damn Erlenmeyer flask grabbers....
Junkdrawer
(27,993 posts)DainBramaged
(39,191 posts)Poll_Blind
(23,864 posts)Or didn't realize it was true. After looking at the recs, I suppose it should be expected that nobody's ever going to throw a party for someone who appraises them of a disturbing truth...but the reaction to the truth of a matter is immaterial to the validity of the truth, itself.
And this is in California.
PB