[Robert A Cook PE]

Others should have said by now, but bringing home a "weapon" is illegal.

But, then again, this is the guy who testified - in front of Congress - (Where's Ollie North ???) that US soldiers had brought home ears as trophies!

And, (lawyer types would need to apply this to each state I guess) isn't it illegal to even HAVE a functional machine gun in your house? ("assault weapon" is just a fast rifle with a long clip, while an AK-47 IS a machine gun, right?)

[xsmommy]

machine guns are legal to own in VA, if i am not mistaken. if he doesn't have it on the premises in DC and has it in one of the multiple manses owned by wifey elsewhere, he is probably ok. i have no idea about bringing stuff home from the service.

[Condor51]

"isn't it illegal to even HAVE a functional machine gun in your house? ("assault weapon" is just a fast rifle with a long clip, while an AK-47 IS a machine gun, right?)"

No offense ok..

1. No, it's not illegal to have a functional 'machine gun' in your house in some states. However...

2. You need a Class III license, FBI background check AND the ok from your local PD chief and the transfer cost for each weapon is pretty steep IIRC. It's been this way since 1934.

3. Also there's BIG difference between a 'machine gun' and a 'submachine gun'.
   A Machine Gun would be like the Browning M2 .50 Caliber 'Ma Duce'
   A Submachine Gun would be like the Thompson 1927A-1 which fires the .45ACP or the new HK MP5 which fires a .9mm or like the UZI.

4. True 'Assault Rifles' are fully auto 'submachine' guns. They fire 'smaller' caliber bullets than 'machine guns'. (the M-16 is not a 'machine' gun, an M-60 would be as it uses a larger .308 rifle cartridge)

5. Germany invented the first true 'assault rifle' during WWII. The first one IIRC used their standard 8mm Mauser round but was uncontrollable on full auto, so they downsized the caliber.

6. The Browning BAR (30-06) is something different as it uses a standard Rifle round which 'submachine' guns typically don't. (it was Clyde Barrow's favorite weapon)

   There's also some other 'tweener's' like the M-14, it fires the .308 but in full auto is an 'assualt rifle'.

7. In any case The AK-47 IS NOT a 'Machine Gun' as it uses the 7.62x39mm cartridge. The standard Russian Battle Rifle was the Mosin-Nagant and used the big 7.62x54mm bullet

I tried keeping this short, but I think you get the gist.