why are legal Class III Machineguns so expensive?

[Big Chudungus]

On paper, to become a Manufacturer, there seems less hoops to jump through that getting a legit Class A CDL for big rig. Something about $1000 year fee and $200 per unit (not sure if that includes selling to Uncle Sam) and some forms to fill out. And I'm guessing "need secure place to do it" and "subject to inspections" etc but so what, and can't have certain felony convictions, yada yada.

What is the real scoop? Do they just not give anyone a License unless they first buy a dozen Senators?

On paper, in a free State, doesn't seem hard to get Class III ownership License. So why can't some Mom&Pop outfit start banging out full auto Ar-15s and Ak-47s or knock-offs of various now Public Domain foreign MGs and sell to civilians with Class III for reasonable costs?

[mossy]

Why are off roster guns so expensive in CA........ there's a limited pool of fully transferable MG's to buy from and unlike CA off rosters there is no way to add new guns into that pool.

[morrcarr67]

As of right now you can only transfer machine guns made before 1986. There was a case just recently that said this restriction violated the 2nd Amendment. We'll have to see where this goes. If it gets struck down it would open up the field to anything available and manufacturers could make new guns available to the general public.

[Big Chudungus]

Any known reason why people that want personal MGs can't just pay the $1000 plus $200 per gun to "manufacture" and not Transfer, because that still seems about 1/30th cost of Transferable MG.

[mossy]

Any known reason why people that want personal MGs can't just pay the $1000 plus $200 per gun to "manufacture" and not Transfer, because that still seems about 1/30th cost of Transferable MG.

you would need a FFL/SOT to manufacture a new MG. if you get one and f*** around with it building personal toys you will end up like that vickers guy and his idiot friends. if you really want to burn a ton of ammo quickly just get a FRT.

[jarhead714]

Because to buy one you have to obtain one for sale made before 1986. Since there are a finite number in private hands available for sale and that number will NEVER grow you got what we have here…which is the way they want it. Well….they gets it.

[GOEX FFF]

Any known reason why people that want personal MGs can't just pay the $1000 plus $200 per gun to "manufacture" and not Transfer, because that still seems about 1/30th cost of Transferable MG.

You were already given good info but read about the Hughes Amendment.

"The Hughes Amendment, part of the Firearm Owners' Protection Act of 1986, restricts the transfer and ownership of machine guns by civilians. It prohibits the transfer or possession of machine guns not lawfully possessed and registered before May 19, 1986. This amendment effectively closed the National Firearms Act registry to newly manufactured machine guns, creating a finite supply of transferable automatic firearms. The amendment's impact has significantly limited the availability of machine guns for civilian ownership, leading to increased prices for legally owned items."

As said, the reason why they're so expensive is because for all intents and purposes, there is a limited number of Pre-86 transferable MG's out there.

ETA: The Hughes Amendment did not affect new manufactured NFA SBR's, SBS's, Suppressors, or DD's...etc.

[abinsinia]

Supply and Demand. Machines guns have a limited supply, and high demand. This means price goes up.

[walmart_ar15]

All FFL commercial FFL licenses are for business use only. And yes, ATF will verify if that is the case with visits.

Types of Federal Firearms Licenses:

• Type 01 - Dealer in Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices
• Type 02 - Pawnbroker in Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices
• Type 03 - Collector of Curios and Relics
• Type 06 - Manufacturer of Ammunition for Firearms Other Than Ammunition for Destructive Devices or Armor Piercing Ammunition
• Type 07 - Manufacturer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices
• Type 08 - Importer of Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices or Ammunition for Firearms Other Than Destructive Devices, or Ammunition Other Than Armor Piercing Ammunition
• Type 09 - Dealer in Destructive Devices
• Type 10 - Manufacturer of Destructive Devices, Ammunition for Destructive Devices or Armor Piercing Ammunition
• Type 11 - Importer of Destructive Devices, Ammunition for Destructive Devices or Armor Piercing Ammunition

Except for type 03.

[The Gleam]

Supply and Demand. Machines guns have a limited supply, and high demand. This means price goes up.

You're trying to explain the very basics of the economic model for price determination to a moron with verified TDS.

The socialist views of such people that are afflicted with that mental illness will never grasp the concept. Such people think waiting in line for free government cheese, free toilet paper, and Obama cell phones is completely acceptable.

---

[Big Chudungus]

FFL/SOT to manufacture a new MG. if you get one and f*** around with it building personal toys you will end up like that vickers guy .

"f*** around with it building personal toys"
I prefer the term "Research and Development", and wouldn't the Govt be more OK with that if it was boutique guns that never left the Factory Compound and Estate?
But seriously, WTF happened to Mr Victers and and what did he do?

What about legit wanting to do production runs for foreign sales? Besides WTF Export Lic, what hoops to jump through?

[Big Chudungus]

or possession of machine guns not lawfully possessed and registered before May 19, 1986.

oh, so all the Fed License to make MG for a $1000/yr is pretty much a "dead letter" for individuals.

So under what "regime" do Corps still manufacture MGs for Govt use? I gotta think Sig etc got Corp Company compounds where Sig employees can full auto test the MGs they are selling to Uncle Sam, or are thinking about offering to Uncle Sam, and they do that how and when they want.

[Duck Killer]

I believe it is $25 fee and you have 24 hours to report.

[mossy]

But seriously, WTF happened to Mr Victers and and what did he do?

he was a f***in idiot who got together with other idiots in a tiny police department and imported a bunch of class III toys for himself and his idiot buddies using fraudulent law letters. Think he was trying to sell AK12 kits as well avoiding the Russian import ban.

[jarhead714]

What are dealer samples? Never understood that expensive loophole.