When you go down to the gun store.
However, Title 2 is the correct terminology so thats what I will be calling it in this article.
Fully automatic actions, which we all just call machine guns, are specifically Title 2 firearms.
Is that a Title 1, or a Title 2 firearm you are seeing? What is NFA? Read on to find out.
An automatic firearm is defined by ATF in a couple of ways:
These last ones can be confusing.
We will get into the registry in just a bit.
Title 1 firearms can commonly be bought in one day by visiting a local gun store.
Ever seen one of theseM2 .50-cal. gunsfor sale? Can you buy it?
WTH is NFA?
These Title 2 guns are known in the gun world as NFA.
NFA stands for the National Firearms Act which we will get into more of that in a moment.
Classic U.S. firearms like the M3 “Grease Gun” are heavily regulated products.
So, lets start with some U.S. history to understand why these three categories exist.
Machine guns were regulated much like any other gun until 1934.
The NFA of 1934 did not ban machine guns, but did put a hefty tax on them.
A machine gun like this German MG 34 can be purchased, but it will not be cheap.
The government defined new as anything after May 19, 1986.
These regulations are where we get the three categories for machine guns.
The only people who can own these imported guns are dealers, manufacturers, military and police agencies.
World War II-era firearms like thisGerman MP40can be quite expensive.
The approved form on Pre Samples will be clearly stamped Limited to use as a Sales Sample.
The next category is Post-Sample Machine guns, which are guns manufactured or imported after May 19, 1986.
These guns can only be purchased by special dealers, manufacturers, military and police agencies.
Understanding the rules and regulations restricting automatic firearms is a must if you are considering a purchase.
But for a dealer to make the purchase they must have a Law Letter from law enforcement.
Post Sample guns are clearly marked with a stamp that says Restricted on the approved ATF form 3.
The last category is Transferable machine guns, and these are the ones average citizens can own.
Is the firearm you are considering “Transferable”, or is it a “Pre-Sample” or “Post-Sample” gun?
This makes these guns incredibly valuable they are practically as good as gold.
For example, a transferable Springfield Armory M14 would sell for $15,000 to $18,000 dollars.
The most I have seen a machine gun sell for was $360,000 dollars.
The lowest I have seen them sell for is $4,000 to $5,000.
Conclusion
That is a brief overview of the NFA.
We are machine gun experts and can help you find the machine gun of your dreams!
