Machine Guns for the Masses (AND Why You CAN'T Own Them)

Published on October 12, 2023
Duration: 20:03

This video explains why owning machine guns is heavily regulated in the United States, tracing the history of legislation like the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986. It details the process for legally acquiring a transferable machine gun, emphasizing the pre-1986 registration requirement, significant costs, and lengthy approval process. The speaker argues that these regulations infringe upon fundamental human rights and limit citizens' ability to possess arms equivalent to those held by the government.

Quick Summary

Legally owning a machine gun in the U.S. today requires purchasing a transferable model manufactured and registered prior to May 19, 1986. The process involves a rigorous application, fingerprinting, photographs, a $200 federal tax stamp, and an estimated year-long wait for approval, making these firearms highly collectible and expensive.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & Channel Message
  2. 03:02The Question: Why Can't You Own Machine Guns?
  3. 03:32Historical Context: Pennsylvania & Gun Rights
  4. 04:47Pennsylvania Constitution on Bearing Arms
  5. 06:21Federal Definition of a Machine Gun
  6. 07:40Founders' Views on Arms & Tyranny
  7. 09:34When Did We Forgo Our Rights?
  8. 09:51Pre-1934 Machine Gun Ownership
  9. 11:28The National Firearms Act of 1934
  10. 12:10NFA Tax and Registration Details
  11. 13:42The Gun Control Act of 1968
  12. 13:55Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986
  13. 15:09Chicago Homicides: 1930 vs. Today
  14. 16:55How to Legally Own a Machine Gun Today
  15. 17:41Why Does the Government Regulate Select-Fire?
  16. 18:32Living by Example: The Seven Fs of Culture
  17. 19:07Support The Exodus Companies

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the federal definition of a machine gun?

The federal government defines a machine gun as any weapon that shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot automatically more than one shot without manual reloading by a single function of the trigger. This means holding the trigger down causes continuous firing.

When could Americans legally own machine guns without special restrictions?

Prior to 1934, Americans could purchase machine guns without needing to ask permission or undergo extensive registration. They were owned commonly, similar to how modern semi-automatic rifles are owned today.

What is the National Firearms Act (NFA) and when was it enacted?

The National Firearms Act (NFA) was enacted on June 26, 1934, by the 73rd Congress. It imposed a tax and registration scheme on machine guns, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and silencers as a response to rising crime.

What are the requirements to legally own a machine gun today?

To legally own a machine gun today, it must have been manufactured and registered prior to May 19, 1986. The process involves a lengthy application, fingerprinting, photographs, a $200 tax stamp, and an approval wait time of about a year.

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