[smoketree]

How do you explain the fact that machine guns were easily available before the NFA? No backround checks, permits, taxes, etc. Mail order was legal too.
Did EVERYONE just miss the meaning of the 2d up until then?
Was Sears violating the 2d by selling Thompsons?

[robertpaulsen]

"How do you explain the fact that machine guns were easily available before the NFA?"

Um, because they were legal?

"Did EVERYONE just miss the meaning of the 2d up until then?"

Nope.

"Was Sears violating the 2d by selling Thompsons?"

Prior to 1934? No, unless they shipped to a state that prohibited machine guns.