The fact remains that if you can pass the standard background check, “most” CAN (as in legally allowed) purchase an automatic weapon. The fact that they choose not to due so, either because of the hassle or price or some other reason was not part of my point.
I should also mention that people can manufacture their own firearm, apply for their tax stamp, and upon receiving, convert their firearm to full auto. This of course assumes a class II (manufacture) license, which of course is extra paper work (Form 1), $1,000 per year for the license, plus the $200 per weapon, etc. Oh, and it will be nontransferable.
My point to all of this is that one CAN (legally)... if you want to spend the money, time etc. I was attempting to dispel the perception that it is not legal for a citizen to obtain a machine gun. There is a legal way to do so. Granted your point about cost and it being a real pain is also true.
Yeah, I forgot about SOT's and manufacturers. They can own. In fact, becoming a Special Occupational Taxpayer of one kind or another is probably done most of the time just to be able to own certain kinds of machine guns that are no longer available, but have to be built up from parts kits, etc.
You have to find one to own.
You can’t own a new weapon manufactured since 1986.
Read somewhere that there are only about 175,000 registered automatic weapons in the USA.
So crap guns cost thousands. Good ones...