CA and NFA?

[mag360]

so if smeone had an NFA registered full auto M16 back before 86, that would still be legal to own in CA assuming he then additionally registered it with CA back in 89?

[supersonic]

so if smeone had an NFA registered full auto M16 back before 86, that would still be legal to own in CA assuming he then additionally registered it with CA back in 89?

^^^I have also been wondering about that myself, as far as those of us that actually owned legal MG's in '86 here in California. How were these people "sorted out" by the DOJ since it was legal prior to that time? ....It sure would be a treasure to have one of these possible "rare birds" actually chime in here as a CGN member!

[ke6guj]

so if smeone had an NFA registered full auto M16 back before 86, that would still be legal to own in CA assuming he then additionally registered it with CA back in 89?

pretty sure the CA ban on MGs was way before 89.

^^^I have also been wondering about that myself, as far as those of us that actually owned legal MG's in '86 here in California. How were these people "sorted out" by the DOJ since it was legal prior to that time? ....It sure would be a treasure to have one of these possible "rare birds" actually chime in here as a CGN member!

AFAIK, they were banned pre-68, but for those that had them illegally in CA during the amnesty were able to send in the registration paperwork and get "legal" federally, even though it was still illegal in CA. And since it is considered a tax document, ATF can't just turn over the MG records to CADOJ.

[dfens]

I can't remember all the details since my dad is gone but I remember their was no grandfathering for full auto weapons in CA.

He had to convert all his guns to semi-auto, sale out of state where legal or turn in which of course only a idiot would do. Some where sold a few he converted.

Don't know how he was able to keep the parts, was funny how he said these little parts and bam full auto. Guess as long as they were not installed it was legal but I was a kid back then.

[supersonic]

So, if I am reading this all correctly, California being a POLE-SMOKING MOTHERF***ING State goes waaaaaaaayyyyyyy back. Let me get this right then: So, there are most likely zero legally acquired civilian MG's in the entire state? Geeeeezzzz this F'n place..........

[Big D]

No. There's a ton of them in the state. But they're all owned by a few people.

[MG34]

This issue has been brought up before. I have a friend that is selling of a lot of his machine guns because he wants to retire and does not want to renew his license. The two people that I know got their NFA License because they were going to work with Hollywood or be tech advisores. Over the last 35 years I have shot a lot of their machine guns from a American 180 to a Ma Deuce.

[supersonic]

This issue has been brought up before. I have a friend that is selling of a lot of his machine guns because he wants to retire and does not want to renew his license. The two people that I know got their NFA License because they were going to work with Hollywood or be tech advisores. Over the last 35 years I have shot a lot of their machine guns from a American 180 to a Ma Deuce.

So, are you saying that these machineguns have been fired legally in California in private use? (I am assuming you were not on a movie set with blanks; law enforcement advisers, lawyers; specialists with the appropriate licenses for film making; etc.....right?)???

[MG34]

So, are you saying that these machineguns have been fired legally in California in private use? (I am assuming you were not on a movie set with blanks; law enforcement advisers, lawyers; specialists with the appropriate licenses for film making; etc.....right?)???

Yes. We have shot in the back country and desert of San Diego county. Never had any real problems.

[supersonic]

Yes. We have shot in the back country and desert of San Diego county. Never had any real problems.

That is very interesting. Thank you very much for shedding some much-needed light on this rarely-covered detail in the whole "full auto in California" topic. Mucho appreciato.

[Quiet]

There are more legal (ATF registry) MGs in CA than any other state.
However, the vast majority are in the inventory of prop masters.

Late-'60s/early-'70s is when CA started requiring a Dangerous Weapons Permit for MGs.
AFAIK, the permit was really started as a "tax" on the movie industry. However, "regular" people could get approved for one. Once approved, you could be "grandfathered in" (in regards to the current issuance policy), because they don't review your "good cause" statement during renewals.


FYI.
The West End Gun Club allows the use of NFA firearms at their range, just need to bring your documentation (tax stamp).