ATF: Surplus Korean firearms imports 'pose a threat to public safety in the U.S.

Gun Rights Examiner ^ | October 12, 2010 | David Codrea

[Neil E. Wright]

In August, I asked "Why is Obama Administration blocking import of surplus rifles?," citing "problems" that were described as "ambiguous" being the reason a sale previously approved by the State Department had been halted.

The ambiguity has now been cleared up. A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives advisory titled "Effect of Granting Retransfer Authority" shows us the rationale behind the move. As the Examiner.com "upgrade" no longer allows content providers to embed objects, I must refer you offsite for the complete document. But in the interests of discussing the report, I have also broken it up into numbered graphics (see slide show in left margin):

1. Here it is in black and white:

"...ATF believes the importation of these firearms, particularly the M1 carbine rifle and M-1911 pistol, poses a threat to public safety in the U.S."

This is the same rationale used in model-specific "assault weapons" bans--the type of gun is somehow deemed relevant, even though untold numbers of such firearms are already peaceably owned in this country, and even though no supporting evidence for this conclusion exists beyond agenda-promoting speculation.

2. We'll see an increase in imported firearms. Lots of them. So?

3. Prices will go down due to supply and demand. Their source? That noted threat to public safety in the U.S., the Civilian Marksmanship Program, authorized by Title 36 U. S. Code, 0701-40733 and a key supplier of "surplus military firearms, ammunition, parts and other items," provided you meet their eligibility requirements. The other apparent concern is the law does not empower ATF to collect "end user" information--so apparently any privately owned firearm with information not so collected is now a domestic threat? Maybe the solution is to "end the gun show loophole" and authorize licensing and registration?

[Neil E. Wright]

I sure would like one of those M1's that the Fedzilla is prohibiting from entering the country from Korea. The reasons for blocking the reimportation of these American made classic guns are complete BS.

America! It's about

★ FREEDOM! ★

★ Estimated Value – PRICELESS! ★

[DGHoodini]

The M1 Carbine is still a mighty fine distance weapon with lots of firepower. What’s ambiguous about that?

[from occupied ga]

The M1 Carbine is still a mighty fine distance weapon with lots of firepower

No it isn't. You're thinking about the garand.

[IYAS9YAS]

I thought the surpluss rifles were M1 Garands, not the M1 Carbines.

[George from New England]

ScribD is only building a spam database by requiring registration to access PDF file posted their.

Can’t someone post it elsewhere and link for the rest of us?

[IYAS9YAS]

surplus not surpluss - being an idjit with my digits.

[DGHoodini]

OMG....I just wanted to refresh my memory about the M1, and clicked a picture link in a Google search...Guess where it took me...To DU!

[Neil E. Wright]

If you go to the link, David has posted a slide show on the Examiner website with the entire document so you don't need to go to ScribD to view it. :)

America! It's about

★ FREEDOM! ★

★ Estimated Value – PRICELESS! ★

[caver]

This is the first time I’ve seen the M-1911 pistols mentioned in the South Korean arms. Are they in this batch? I already have a Garand and an M-1. I want a 1911, but they are high.

[Eska]

I remember way back when I was a kid in 60's, K-Mart had racks of old beat up military guns for 27 bucks each.

Remember in late 80's you could get Russkie SKS's for 90 bucks each if you bought 5. I did buy 5 of them and gave them away to friends when I came to Alaska. I brought 2 gun safe's full of guns in a 31 foot trailer to Ak; didn't figure SKS's were worth their weight, ha. Funny thing was the Canadians at the border didn't even open the door after I told them I didn't have any guns; got lucky back then.

Sure would be nice to see some M1's in quantity, but I bet they are in bad shape.

[caver]

Both of them.

[umgud]

There will be blood in the streets, bodies will stack up like cordwood, it will be the wild west all over again, the OK Corral, disputes, road rage, will be settled with a gun, law abiding citizens will be turned into wanton criminals overnight..........

[DGHoodini]

It apears I got this story mixed up with a previous story on the topic. That story specified these weapons were circa Korean War surplus, meant gor use by US troops. I assumed they meant M1’s.

[ryan71]

ATF needs to be shut down.

Add this to out “To Do” list, right after “Shut down IRS”.

These people terrorize Americans. They provide no safety.

[bunkerhill7]

Heck, in 1945-46, my 4 uncles and others brought home carbines, rifles, lugars, from Germany, Japan etc, WAR TROPHIES, and always marched with them in the 4th of July parade.

During the Vietnam war, I transported hundreds of GI`s home from San Francisco Airport openly carrying AK47`S as war trophies. Bringing home War trophies has been an American tradition since the beginning.

What is going on here?

[ryan71]

Mostly Carbines. About a 3:1 ratio Carbines to Garands.

[IYAS9YAS]

Both of them.

Thanks. I have a Garand, and I would love to see these come back to the states. More for everybody!

[BnBlFlag]

“No it isn’t. You’re thinking about the garand.”

You’re right. My M1 Carbine is the worst firearms I have ever owned. My M1 Garand is one of the best, second only to the M-14.

[spokeshave]

and one of each for me.

[IYAS9YAS]

Well, both are called M1 in description, which is why they differentiate using either Garand (United States Rifle, Caliber .30, M1) or Carbine (United States Carbine, Caliber .30, M1). It was a stupid way to name them, since they are so completely different, but that’s what they did.