legal issues im making semi-auto

[hms50]

Good morning!

After visiting the BATF website, I have more questions than before. Does anyone know if it is legal to put together a "parts kit" for what had been a full auto if it now is a semi-auto only? It apparently is not legal to put one together if it is classed as an "assult weapon, but what about somthing like a sten? As a school teacher, I can't afford to make a mistake. We have crimanal background checks done every three years and I doubt my schoolboard would be very understanding about a firearms violation. Thanks,

hms50

[jerry45]

I'm still new to the hobby of machining and the collecting of military firearms, but this is my understanding thus far from the BATF. Please also see my reply to my own post on "grain direction". As stated in that post, unless you are licensed to do so (manufacturer, etc), it is illegal to even own (possess)a full set of parts in which to build a full auto firearm. To build a semiauto, you must have an approved design by the BATF. This will be a design in which the firearm can never be returned to a full auto configuration. Generally speaking, parts kits are sold with either receiver parts missing or they are cut (demilled). In regards to the Sten parts kit, the right reciver tube is the "controlled" part and is missing from the kit. There are individuals that sell blank tubes with a template for reproducing this part for dummy guns. I suggest you consider building a dummy gun with an approved BATF design. Please feel free to email me if you have further questions. I certainly am not an expert on this, but I'm willing to share what I know thus far. One could also contact the BATF directly. Good luck!

Jerry

<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by hms50:
Good morning!

After visiting the BATF website, I have more questions than before. Does anyone know if it is legal to put together a "parts kit" for what had been a full auto if it now is a semi-auto only? It apparently is not legal to put one together if it is classed as an "assult weapon, but what about somthing like a sten? As a school teacher, I can't afford to make a mistake. We have crimanal background checks done every three years and I doubt my schoolboard would be very understanding about a firearms violation. Thanks,

hms50</font>

[kap pullen]

hms50
You may be better off as Bill Clinten said,
taking up bowling as a hobby, rather than shooting.
This may not be a good project for any of us, especially you as public servant.
It could cost your job,as well as your
freedom.
I can imagine the headlines "TEACHER MAKING AUTOMATIC WEAPONS ON SCHOOL PROPERTY" true or not.
See you in 25 to life.
Kapullen

[KVollert]

HMS50

Probably the best thing to do is to get an "approval" letter from BATF before doing anything. This way if there is any question at a future date, you can produce a signed official correspondence from "The Government" approving what you are going to do . Also don't overlook state or local firearms laws. The best way to do this is through the office of a lawyer with experience in dealing with the BATF. The lawyer should also be able to steer you away from anything outright illegal. I know this sounds like a lot of expensive CYA, but how much is your time (10 to 25 years) worth. It is a sad commentary that today you would probably get a harsher sentence for building a firearm that you use for shooting tin cans on a range, than you would get for dealing drugs or shooting someone in a holdup.

Thanks Keith

[Thrud]

I would not take the chance. Here in Canada having even one part is the same as the whole weapon. A single disconnect sear or a magazine for an machine gun will put you away for 5-15, however you can run over someone while drunk and just get a fine and a couple years at most. You can get paroll if you murder someone, but not if you ended up in prison for a bad check. The law was written by monkeys fresh from the trees...

Dave

[mike thomas]

Take it easy on the monkeys. They are not that dumb.

[snorman]

Ditto on the monkeys. It seems one needs a liberal college education to get that dumb.

[Thrud]

Harvard and Yale can do that to you - look what it did to Ben Stein - A pro Nixon guy! (I liked Nixon too).

The lawmakers all seem to have one motto: "If you can't dazzle 'em with brains - baffle 'em with BS". Such are the hazards of living anywhere these days...

Dave ;-)

[SGW]

"Suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself." -- Mark Twain

KVollert has the best suggestion, I think. If you decide you really want to do this, write to the BATF, explain exactly what you want to do, and ask for a letter stating that what you want to do is legal.

Certainly, don't go by anyting WE say! :-)

[pogo]

The Sten as issued fired from an open bolt. I understand the ATF considers even semiauto open bolt firing guns the same as full auto, due to the ease of conversion to full auto.

Firearms law and agency interpretation of the same is arbitrary and baffling. I would go to one of the builder's or legal forums like AR15.com has, and ask your questions there. Some of those guys have dealt with ATF on a regular basis and have interesting insights on this.

Legal issues aside, I would be more worried at what my coworkers (and eval writers)thought of my activities. By the time your hobby got into the legal arena, your future is toast as a professional.