imported post
iChad wrote:
I am a Michigan Resident, and I am wondering about how to go about obtaining a license to carry a fully automatic pistol/sub-machine gun. The reason I am asking about how to go about this is because I am heading into the field of Protective Services (Bodyguard work), and also looking into Fugitive Bail Recovery as well. Just wondering if anyone else has this level of authority to carry one and how to go about it. I believe they called it a level 3 carry license?
Thanks,
-Chad of Battle Creek, MI
The Class 3 reference refers to federal law. National Firearms Act (NFA) weapons often referred to as "class 3" after the license needed to deal in them. Machine guns are very heavily regulated. I'm not a Class 3 dealer so I am not an expert in this area, but in general:
1) Only weapons in the NFA registry (that's right, registration!) before a date in 1986 are transferable to non-military/law enforcement. Those are grandfathered.
2) Because of the closed in supply, they are very expensive. Anywhere from 3 or 4 thousand for a little .380 to $30,000 or more fororiginal Tommy guns.
3) Many states have additional restrictions, including outright bans, on full auto weapons.
4) You have to pay a $200 federal transfer tax when you take possession and you have to keep the tax stamp with the weapon.
5) Your local chief LEO (sheriff, city police chief, etc.) HAS to sign off before BATFE will authorize the transfer! Yep, "the man" has to sign off on it. Some will, many will not. Yes, there are ways around this but in general this is required.
6) If the weapon is suppressed, the supressor is a separate NFA item and likewise incurs the tax, paperwork, etc.
7) If you buy it from out of state, you have to have it transfered from a Class 3 FFL in the current state to a Class 3 FFL in your state. You will pay the fees to them for this service (this is not a tax, just paying the middle men).
8) You have to submit fingerprints and other background info to the federal government over and above the standard firearms transfer form. I am not sure what the standard of review is so anything less than snow white may be denied.
Beyond all that, the controllability of a sub gun at full auto (rather than semi or burst) could be an issue. Without a doubt if you ever used that weapon you WILL receive a high-intensity investigation due to the gangster past and built-up nefarious image of "machine guns". In a civil suit you would be at a great disadvantage trying to explain the members of the general public sitting on your jury just why an evil machine gun was needed when few people beside SWAT and military personnel actually carry them with any frequency.
My opinion -- don't do it. They are cool for collectors and fun at the machine gun rental when you can crank through $100 in ammo in a couple of minutes, but there are too many practical disadvantage in the real world. If it is scare factor you want, there are Uzi-look alike semi's that have the sub gun look without any of the hassle described above.
SA-TX