Analysis: Have Gun-Rights Advocates Found a Way Around the Machinegun Sales Ban? [Member Exclusive]

Summary

West Virginia lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 1071, known as the "Public Defense and Provisioning Act," which aims to create an "Office of Public Defense" within the West Virginia State Police. Gun-rights advocates propose this bill as a potential method for civilians to legally acquire new machineguns, bypassing the 40-year federal sales ban without repealing current federal restrictions.