From where I sit registration is an infringement. I do not want to register my weapons with any government agency, that someday I may resist.
If I could buy ten BRAND NEW belt-fed .50 caliber Browning machine guns for $1000 each from the USMC only under the condition that I MUST register them with the BATFE, I would turn down the offer.
I refuse to own a silencer or any weapon that requires me to register it with our government. If I want to go and play with one they are for rent at a couple of ranges around the country. I don’t have to give the owner anything but cold hard cash. He doesn’t take my thumb print, my picture, a blood sample or require annual address change forms.
When and if the time comes that I would need one then I imagine I’ll deal with the situation at the time. With the advancement of military type weapons, who knows it may be a smarter choice to hijack a rig that busts ear drums or causes the enemy to vomit than one where the ammo belt needs continious observation and maintenance.
If the Court would permit a registration list of all those who attend a house of worship - with a user fee to be paid for the privilege - then I'll believe you're wrong. Same goes for buying a newspaper, magazine or book. By my way of thinking (and, obviously, yours), those things are infingements and so is any registration of gun owners or their guns.
The ONLY way I could accept it is if the gov't wants to register me as a member of the militia, and to find out what (full auto) weapon(s) we own, so as to draft contingency plans for a joint Russo-Chinese invasion. Otherwise, the government can fo guck itself.
When and if the time comes that I would need one then I imagine I’ll deal with the situation at the time.
I have heard more than one old, crusty veteran state words to the effect that "just because you don't have a full auto and plenty of ammo before the fit hits the shan, doesn't mean you won't end up with one. Mere possession of a full auto can't stop a bullet from a 100-year-old boltie."
Unfortunately, I live in CA and all handguns must be registered.