Posted on 10/22/2010 3:11:47 PM PDT by neverdem
Washington, D.C. – A couple weeks ago, U.S. Representatives Cynthia Lummis and Joe Donnelly (D-IN) introduced H.R. 6240, the Collectable Firearms Protection Act. The bill would prevent the State Department from interfering with the legal importation of surplus collectable firearms from South Korea that were originally made in the U.S.
“The State Department does not have the authority to deny legal firearms to law-abiding citizens. These firearms have historical value, are legal, and their importation is already highly regulated by the Justice Department. There is no basis for State Department involvement. This is not about diplomacy or foreign policy -- this is a domestic issue and a Second Amendment issue,” Lummis said.
“The right of law-abiding American citizens to import these historical firearms should not be complicated with unnecessary over-regulation,” said Donnelly. “This common-sense change simply lets the Justice Department do its job and removes the State Department from the process.”
Background
Last year, the administration approved the importation and sale of collectible, American-made M1 Garand rifles and M1 carbines from South Korea. However, the administration reversed itself early this year, deciding instead to prevent these rifles -- legal to make and purchase in the United States -- from entering the country.
The State Department’s actions undermine the will of Congress, which has expressly authorized these types of transactions in the Arms Control Export Act. H.R. 6240 would remove jurisdiction by the State Department and the Department of Defense over these imports, which are already regulated by the Justice Department through the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE).
These collectable firearms would still be treated like any other modern, legal firearm, including BATFE licensing requirements, record keeping requirements, and background checks prior to retail sales.
Like owning a little piece of history.
I shudder to think the condition these are in.
The wood is probably shot and the barrels done for.
Lots of work for M1 smiths and the wood furniture trade
as well as for the Kreiger/Douglas/Criterion barrel makers.
As far as I am concerned no gun should be prevented from being imported, including French FAMAS ‘clarions’ and
Israeli Tavors (I hear they are available as semi-autos un in Canada)...
“Hard to believe, but an M1 Carbine is on the list of no-no’s on the NJ banned firearms list.”
Certain models (M-2?) of the carbine could be fired full auto. Knee jerk liberals would want to make sure all the “look alikes” like the M-1 carbine are banned! My best guess as to why they are in your state.
I try to treat myself nowadays in the twilight of my years to guns I've always wanted. In a couple weeks I'm buying a Thompson 1927A-1 model that fires from a 50-rd drum and a 30-rd stick.
After all, "he who dies with the most toys wins."
“I try to treat myself nowadays in the twilight of my years to guns I’ve always wanted. In a couple weeks I’m buying a Thompson 1927A-1 model that fires from a 50-rd drum and a 30-rd stick.
After all, “he who dies with the most toys wins.” “
Unfortunately, I live in CA, and the Tommy is a no-no under the ‘assault weapons’ laws here. I suppose I could get one with the fixed-mag mod, but it’s a lot of hassle.
Could be as you say, I don’t know how long the Garand was on front line service with ROK..
Even if only the receiver is salvageable, it’d still be worth it to bring them in...they sure don’t make them like they used to.
Hopefully there’s some nice ones left there, and they come home where they belong. It would be a travesty if they were melted down for scrap.
FYI, Cynthia Lummis is (R-WY).
I’ve got one of these, my dad brought back from the war. I know it’s a nice rifle, but didn’t think it was an expensive one.
It doesn’t matter to me what mine’s worth; it’s not for sale.
“Unfortunately, I live in CA...”
Oh, I see. My deepest condolences.
I do hope that one day you will be able to move to a place where you can live in freedom.
Wonderful, it's bipartisan! I had the impression that they were both Indiana rats. It's nice to see any rat sponsor pro Second Amendment bills.
The M1 Garand uses .30-06 Springfield ammo. In the right hands, it's good enough for any critter in North America, IMHO.
The M1 Carbine uses a .30 caliber carbine round that's good enough for two legged critters at the closer ranges. Someone must have tried it as a handgun round. I wonder what happened?
These Wikipedia links provide the dimensions of the empty cartridge case in millimeters, i.e. diameter and length, IIRC. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong.
P.S. Wikipedia is not a suitable source for any political topic, but for a technical ready reference, it seems OK.
$150 seems low, but I think that I want to see their condition first. About ten or so years ago, there were some Korean imports of M1 Garands and carbines and they were pretty much whipped. They were full of Korean import marks and looked like built up parts kits with mismatched numbers and so on. You could have them nicely rebuilt using new barrels and furniture, but when all was said and done you spent more doing it than getting a rack grade CPM Garand. If we ever finally see these M1 rifles, I’m not expecting to find them in very serviceable condition.
Thank you.
There are also a few Garands chambered for 7.62x51/.308 Winchester.
I have a huge collection, mainly NFA and C&R guns. I would rather take a HUGE hit on the value for the chance to get more collectables out there. Paying 25-30k for a M1921AC sucks.
There are 58 FG42's in a German Police station that would love to get rid of them.
Repeal 18 USC 922 (o), and all Import bans!
I think the market, especially the current market can absorb them. If yours is worth a lot of money, it still should be.
I'm still looking for a good M1917 in the original configuration. Makes the history buff in me wanna cry when I see a 1917 in a Monte Carlo stock and scope. :-(
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