I thought full automatic weapons were outlawed (by Congress) in the 1930s, in one of the initial impositions of gun control, to control the gang violence of the time. Think Valentines Day Massacre.
The media relies on people not knowing the difference between full auto and semi-auto when they demagogue the RKBA issue.
It should be noted that there are kits to convert semi-auto versions into full-auto, and if the media would report the whole story clearly I would accept this as a valid counterargument.
I am certainly no expert, but I thought that under Federal law it (was) possible to purchase a US-built fully-automatic weapon with the payment a $500 tax (obviously more significant in the 1930s) and the recommendation of one's local chief of police. Many STATE laws additionally prohibit the ownership of fully-automatic weapons. The AK47 is full-fire only, and is NOT US-built, so an AK47 could and can NOT be owned legally anywhere in the US. If Mr. Kerry owns such a weapon he is likely in violation of a variety of state and Federal laws.
Nope not 'outlawed' outright. BUT heavily 'controlled' by the Firearms Act of 1934. And it's hard to get approval for the Class III license now, lot's of hoops to jump through and the transfer cost is steep.
That being said, some states like my wonderful IL do ban them - period (Since about the late 1970's.) At one time in the past I was going to get a Class III license. The cost then was 'only' about $200 IIRC.