Service M14

[vaultca]

1st Post!
So my father-in-law who was a Vietnam Vet passed away about 2 years ago. I was cleaning up my mother-in-law's garage and I found a soft rifle case with his service M14 in it. She had no idea it was in the garage and wants nothing to do with it. I asked her if she could check if he had any paperwork for the rifle when he brought it back with him. She looked through all his files and couldn't find any paperwork (not sure if they had to have any paperwork to bring back to the US). I thought it was a very amazing Relic to have and holds sentimental value to the family for his service. The rifle has a service stamp on the side, and has a Pin installed in the selector. It is an actual M14 from Springfield Armory. I called the Springfield Armory Museum in Massachusetts and had them check the serial # and verified that it was manufactured between 1959-1960. Now the problems I am dealing with is legally trying to acquire the rifle. I'm having the hardest time trying to find anything information online. Any help on if and how I can legally acquire the rifle will be a huge help! Thank you in advance!

[Citadelgrad87]

If it is a real M14, it is a select fire weapon and unless somethin ghas changed, cannot ever legally pass into civilian hands.

[jmax]

If it does not have a form 4 it is not registered and is contraband. It is just worth the parts.

[2761377]

your best bet now is to throw MIL under the bus as possessing unregistered full auto.

tell her you just made arrangements for a trip to Club Fed.

LOL

[81turbota]

As other posters mentioned, if it's a true select fire M14 without a form 4 registration, it's a 10 year prison sentence in your hands. Cut it up.

If it DOES have a form 4, you still can't own it in CA.

[edgerly779]

Yep possesion means a felony. It was stolen from military.

[2761377]

a prudent person, not wanting to raise suspicion, would have quietly researched this online and found the answer.

OP is troll or mole?

[rivraton]

Yep possession means a felony. It was stolen from military.

This, there is 0 possibility of legal possession by a civilian...

[2761377]

As stated in my original post, I Have tried to research online with no help. Not sure what part of my post has anything to do with being a Troll or Mole, when asking "if" I can "legally" acquire it.

you researched enough to find the rifle is an actual M-14, you made specific mention the selector has been de-activated and have verbiage in the post to exonerate MIL.

you know what's up.

GTFO

[superhondaz50]

Call your lawyer to have him arrange for the ATF to come pick up the rifle for disposal.

[ECG_88]

Before you call the ATF to turn it in, Strip all parts from the receiver. Take the stock, bolt, barrel, sights, fire control (trigger assembly), gas tube/piston. Then turn in bare receiver for destruction. You can make a lot of money off the parts, or build a new legal M1A from it and still have the sentimental value of the rest of the rifle.

[81turbota]

So I found something online about the Curio & Relic Law regarding 50+ year old firearms. Does this not apply because this is a service rifle?

It doesn't apply because it's a machine gun and likely wasn't registered during the amnesty. Sadly the only options you have is destroy the receiver or hand it over to law enforcement. If you call the ATF to check if it was registered, and it wasn't, expect them to come get it.

We see this often. MP40 and MP44 machine guns brought back from WW2 and never registered, sold as a "parts kit" with a cut receiver. When I see a gun that has a very fresh cut, first thing that comes to mind is "attic find unregistered machine gun". C&R rules don't apply at this point.

[elSquid]

Yes, correct I have done research online regarding the rifle and variations. But could not find anything regarding the legal aspect of it. But I appreciate the knowledge of this forum and not sure why I have to defend myself by having some other intentions.

...because you displayed enough knowledge in your original post for most people to conclude that you should also be aware of the legal status of such a rifle. Therefore most people are assuming that you and your post cannot be taken at face value.

If I assume good intentions on your part:

a) the rifle is stolen gov't property
b) the rifle is also machinegun

You cannot legally acquire the rifle, and you should contact law enforcement to take possession of the firearm so that it can be returned to the appropriate military authority.

-- Michael

[smle-man]

There are two strikes against you at this point:

1. The weapon was stolen from the government whether it walked out of an arms room or was written off as a 'combat loss' in Vietnam, it is still property of Uncle Sam. There is no statute of limitations.

2. You are in possession of an automatic weapon.

3. Don't go for strike three. Ignore any PMs that may be coming to you offering to buy it under the table. Contact the local ATF office, explain what you know, and arrange for it to be picked up ASAP. I've worked with ATF in the past and they have been reasonable in such matters.

Take some nice photos of it before it goes, for bragging rights.

[Swampcrip]

PICS!!!!