I have seen Class III firearms at gun shows. Access depends on the state- NV and MA and I think AZ allow citizens to own Class III, other states don’t. Each state has its own rules and restrictions, I know storage is a big deal.
So in addition to paying huge bux for an old M16, expect to pay another kilobuk or so on fees and storage issues.
I think it was HW Bush who banned the civilian sale of Class III for firearms made after (guessing) 1986, so anything you get is going to be vintage.
Romney should have known better, but then, in 2004 he ranted on about how deadly “assault weapons” were and signed what he thought was a permanent ban in MA (because the Federal ban was expiring). Then he lied about being a gun owner, so I don’t expect much from him with respect to RKBA.
As I said – this is more about a Media anxious to have a man hostile to the idea of self-defense re-elected that they would play with the facts in order to manufacture yet another gaffe.
If I only knew in 1986 what I know today.... Woulda bought a case of M-16 lower receivers. Could have paid for all my kids’ college education that way.
Class III firearms are legal in Virginia. No stupid restrictions on Constitutional rights.
(s) does this mean class iii lic. are going to be “shall issue” lic.? (/s)