When did the value of machine guns ever go down?
The year was 1985 when REAGAN signed the Hughs act. The act made all machine guns manufactured and imported into the country ineligible for registration after 1985.
Before the Hughs act, a full auto M16 could have been purchased for $400.00, plus the $200.00 transfer tax stamp. The Colt semi auto version was $450.00. Now, a full auto M16 sells for upwards of $10,000. The Colt semi auto sells for $1150.00.
My Thompson 1927 A1 deluxe cost me $1000.00. The 1927 model full auto Thompson sell for upwards of $18,000.00, plus the $200.00 tax stamp.
If the Hughs act were to be repealed tomorrow the price of a full auto M16 would plummet to about $1200. The same if Auto Ordnance was allowed to produce the full auto 1927.
The collectors would really take it in the shorts, wouldn't they? Thus their opposition to the repeal of the Hughs act. Follow the money.