Gun Turn In 'Buy Back': Homemade Shotguns for Cash

Gun Watch ^ | 13 April, 2015 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

In an unnamed gun 'buy back' that is reported to have occurred in June of 2014, These four homemade slam fire shotguns were turned in for cash.  The piece of pipe that acts as a barrel slides in the front.   It is much like the slam fire shotguns that were developed and used in guerrilla fighting in the Philippines in WWII.  From countercurrentnews.com:

The self-described “gun rights activist,” who we are not naming, brought in a duffel bag full of home made, “slam-fire” shotguns (all of legal length). He was paid $50 for each of these improvised guns. This low ball price shows just how unrealistic it is for anyone but criminals to turn guns in to the police when they have these buy back programs.

Maybe an alert reader can ID the gun turn in where this occurred.   There was a turn in event in New York in June of 2014, but I do not know if that is the same as this one.  Still, $200 for a couple of hours of work and $30 worth of pipe is a worthwhile project.

Across the country, communities, police departments and churches are sponsoring gun turn-ins to get "guns off the street". At many of these events, private buyers are showing up, offering cash for the more valuable guns. These private additions to the public turn-in are effective, no doubt, in getting more guns off the street, because they add to the resources that are available to those who want to get rid of guns for something of value, be it a grocery card or a number of twenty dollar bills.

You can help make the turn-in in your area more effective by standing on the curb with your "Cash for Guns" sign, or at a folding table, willing to offer more than the gift card for firearms that are more valuable. It would be best if numerous private parties were available, as more good guns could then be transferred into responsible hands.

This action serves many useful purposes. It stretches the turn-in budget so that more guns can be taken off the street. It helps keep fearful widows from being defrauded of most of the market value of the gun they are turning in. It prevents valuable assets from being destroyed by bureaucratic inflexibility. It is a win-win-win situation. The ideal situation for those organizing the turn in would be to allow private buyers to purchase the valuable guns, while having the organizers take the cheap guns "off the streets". As these events are ideologically driven, that seems unlikely, but it might be worth an attempt at outreach. All parties would benefit.

Private buyers dispel the pernicious message that guns are bad and should be destroyed.

Link to potential legal risk of buying a gun at one of these events

Link to article with numerous examples of private sales at gun turn in events

Link to an article about private buyers at Detroit event

Link to Phoenix Article: pictures of private buyers

©2015 by Dean Weingarten: Permission to share is granted when this notice is included.
Link to Gun Watch

[marktwain]

Home made firearms are found in significant numbers around the country. The tighter the regulatory scheme, the greater the legal restrictions, the more home made and small shop made firearms are found. At one point the DC police reported that 20% of the firearms that they were confiscating were home made.

[MHGinTN]

Is it completely legal to manufacture a firearm without a federal license?

[Gaffer]

If you’re gonna go One-shot for home defense, think Claymore.

[wastoute]

$200 for $30 investment times 4 or 6! Sounds good. If we all did this we could seriously hurt Bloomberg and Co.

[MeshugeMikey]

didnt Barack O’Banana’s Father help win world war II with one of those??

[Politically Correct]

Yes, just don’t cross into the Short Barreled Rifle territory and stay away from fully automatic and suppressed firearms.

[Rodamala]

[NorthMountain]

Is it completely legal to manufacture a firearm without a federal license?

IANAL ...

1) If you make the device for your own personal use

AND

2) You may legally own the device that you make.

[Robert A Cook PE]

What the bloody over-sized shotgun shell would fit that blunderbus?

OK, so it’s a simple muzzleloader, and probably as accuate as a carronade. Firing mechanism = ?? Slow matches with a broadside?

[ElkGroveDan]

There was a turn in event in New York in June of 2014, but I do not know if that is the same as this one.

It was in Fredericksburg, VA.

[thackney]

https://www.atf.gov/sites/default/files/assets/pdf-files/0813-firearms-top-12-qas.pdf

11. Do I need a Federal firearms license to make a firearm for my own personal use,
provided it is not being made for resale?

Firearms may be lawfully made by persons who do not hold a manufacturer’s license under the GCA provided they are not for sale or distribution and the maker is not prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms.

However, a person is prohibited from assembling a non-sporting semiautomatic rifle or shotgun from 10 or more imported parts, as set forth in regulations in 27 CFR 478.39. In addition, the making of an NFA firearm requires a tax payment and advance approval by ATF. An application to make a machinegun will not be approved unless documentation is submitted showing that the firearm is being made for the official use of a Federal, State or local government agency (18 U.S.C. § 922(o),(r); 26 U.S.C. § 5822; 27 CFR §§ 478.39, 479.62, and 479.105).

Additionally, although markings are not required on firearms manufactured for personal use (excluding NFA firearms), owners are recommended to conspicuously place or engrave a serial number and/ or other marks of identification to aid in investigation or recovery by State or local law enforcement officials in the event of a theft or loss of the privately owned firearm.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Yes. But you ma never sell it. It can be only transferred via your will. The firearm must meet all federal requirements, barrel length, overall length, non-automatic, etc.

[Cliff Dweller]

Yes, for personal use it is legal. It cannot be fully automatic (without a $200 Tax Stamp), and if you choose to sell it you must obtain a serial number from ATF.

If you however... go into production... you must have a Federal Firearms Manufacturer’s license which is $500, and pay a tax to ATF on each firearm you produce.

[Cliff Dweller]

I may be incorrect on the sale part... if so I apologize, but if appropriate taxes are paid it may suffice... not an expert.

[thorvaldr]

“Is it completely legal to manufacture a firearm without a federal license?”

Yes, you just can’t sell it. You can get all the parts to make AK’s AR’s 1911’s at home if you are good at using tools.

Those are pretty well made for slam fire shotguns, real fittings, no duct tape in sight.

[thorvaldr]

And for the purpose of a gun “buy back”, the guns are all assumed to be illegal and it’s all done “no questions asked”. They rip off some old ladies who don’t know the value of their husbands old gun, but mostly they get stolen guns, crime guns, and broken guns.

[DiogenesLamp]

Is it completely legal to manufacture a firearm without a federal license?

"I just found it somewhere." :)

[rickomatic]

Yes. But you ma never sell it. It can be only transferred via your will. The firearm must meet all federal requirements, barrel length, overall length, non-automatic, etc.

I believe you are incorrect. There is nothing in federal law prohibiting one from selling a homemade firearm. Manufacturing for sale is one thing, but selling any personsal item whether a firearm or toaster is not specifically prohibited. Having built an AK back in the 90's and now wanting to sell it is much different than having bought 20 parts kits to build guns with then list them on Gunbroker. If you can site a federal law stating otherwise, I am willing to be corrected.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I know I am correct on this. If you construct the receiver, you may not sell it or even give it away except in a will. I’ve looked into constructing a AR-15 from an 80% receiver.

[Rio]

Homebuilt Firearms:
http://www.amazon.com/Homebuilt-Firearms-Gary-F-Hartman/dp/0981539920/ref=asap_bc?ie=UTF8