We're Fighting to Make Machine Guns Great Again

Published on May 19, 2026
Duration: 10:53

This video from Gun Owners of America (GOA) details the legislative history and impact of the 1986 Hughes Amendment, which effectively banned new machine gun transfers to civilians. It explains how the ATF's aggressive tactics in the late 70s and early 80s led to the Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA), and how an amendment by Representative William J. Hughes was controversially added, prohibiting civilian possession of machine guns manufactured after May 19, 1986. The video argues this ban has driven up prices, made ownership inaccessible to most, and failed to reduce crime, citing the prevalence of Glock switches as evidence. GOA is actively working to repeal the Hughes Amendment, exploring legal avenues like state-run transfer programs.

Quick Summary

The 1986 Hughes Amendment, part of the Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA), banned civilian transfers and possession of machine guns manufactured after May 19, 1986. This law significantly increased the cost of legal machine guns, making them inaccessible to most Americans, and is now a target for repeal by gun rights organizations like GOA.

Chapters

  1. 00:00Introduction & GOALS Convention
  2. 00:38ATF Harassment & Early Gun Rights Activism
  3. 01:24The Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA)
  4. 01:46The Hughes Amendment and Machine Gun Ban
  5. 02:48Controversial Voice Vote and Passage
  6. 03:26Impact of the Machine Gun Ban
  7. 03:39Second Amendment & Military Arms
  8. 03:46Economic Impact & Crime Concerns
  9. 04:07Glock Switches & Continued Crime
  10. 04:24GOA's Fight to Repeal the Hughes Amendment
  11. 04:33West Virginia Legislation & State Transfers
  12. 04:51Legal Interpretation of § 922(o)
  13. 05:13ATF Confirmation & State Transfer Loophole
  14. 05:51Pushback & Founding Era Principles
  15. 06:39Conclusion & Call to Action

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the Hughes Amendment and when was it passed?

The Hughes Amendment, passed in 1986 as part of the Firearm Owners Protection Act (FOPA), effectively banned the civilian transfer and possession of machine guns manufactured after May 19, 1986. It grandfathered in pre-existing machine guns.

How did the Hughes Amendment impact civilian machine gun ownership?

The Hughes Amendment drastically limited civilian access to machine guns by prohibiting new transfers, causing prices for legally owned pre-1986 machine guns to soar into the tens of thousands of dollars, making them inaccessible to most Americans.

What is Gun Owners of America (GOA) doing about the Hughes Amendment?

GOA is actively working to repeal the Hughes Amendment. They are exploring legal strategies, including leveraging statutory language that exempts state transfers, and have introduced legislation in states like West Virginia to facilitate civilian access to machine guns.

Are machine guns completely illegal for civilians in the US?

No, machine guns manufactured before May 19, 1986, are legal for civilians to own, provided they comply with the National Firearms Act (NFA) regulations, including registration and a tax stamp. The Hughes Amendment banned new transfers of post-1986 machine guns.

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