stltoday.com

1) I'm surprised they still had Tommy guns.

2) I'm surprised they're actually selling them for public consumption considering how liberal the City tends to be, but that is a lot of money.  I wonder how many cities would destroy them before selling them to the public.

3) I wish I could afford one.

Bout freaking time......they announced this three years ago.  Kind of surprised they didn't go for more.

The article said they were going to auction them, but that was too difficult because of the red tape.

Yep that was the original plan, then Ferguson happened.......I imagine that had a lot to do with it.  If they could have netted another 10-20%, that red tape is worth it--but I don't think they wanted the PR.

What is this red tape they speak of??  Form 4--yeah, it takes a while and you do NOT have to have a "federal permit" like the article says

Exactly what I thought too...

I find a lot of people (Reporters, journalists, even L.E.) don't know much about gun laws, especially NFA unless they are ""Gun Guys"... 

It's all "class III" to the uninformed.

No, it's Title II, and you don't have to be a FFL to own transferrable NFA items--just the stamp.  They look at you like you are crazy and/or a criminal.

They could easily have gotten much more selling to the public.  It will be interesting to see how the Distributor sells them.

Already called them twice, and will try again tomorrow........  

They also have a Vickers machine gun but I have no idea if that one is transferrable.

I remember reading a story in the newspaper about an old lady whose WWII veteran husband passed away and she finally started clearing out his stuff.  In a closet was a MP38, MP40, or some old german machine gun.  She took it down to the gun buy back and got her $20.  Luckily the cops realized what it was and they didn't melt it down.  Per the story, they were going to hold onto it until she could sell it to a museum.  Never heard a follow up though.....maybe she's in jail now.  

Many years ago, I test fired several of the SLPD 1921 Thompson while I was assigned to the Vice-Narcotics Unit. They hadn't been fired in a while and they wanted all the weapons in the Bureau of Investigation bunker test fired and cleaned.  I volunteered of course and we headed down to the range with an assortment of 16 gauge whippets, Thompsons and a few less glamourous weapons.  I remember at least one of the Thompsons was an original 1921 model with a two digit serial number.  I never saw any drums in the bunker but we had a ton of loaded 20-round stick magazines. We brought a box full of them and shot it all up.  I still have a coffee can full of nickel W-W 45ACP casings from that day.

Last year I had another chance to fire a Thompson.  They're fun to shoot but are difficult to hold on target.  See the video below.

These weapons have been collecting dust for decades and I think it was a smart move to use these to provide new pistols and patrol carbines for St. Louis Officers.  I'm still hoping I'll get a chance to buy my duty Beretta 92D when it gets traded in.

If you could let ,me know when they in fact do sell off the Beretta 92Ds, that would be great! I have a friend that used to be on with Saint Louis PD downtown and he would like to own what he used to carry. I am having a hell of a time finding a decent 92D.

Steve

Steve,

The process is in progress right now. I just ordered one myself. MO residents only and one gun per retiree. If your friend would like more information on how to order, let me now. I worked the downtown district for many years.  Perhaps I know your friend.

The order process will end soon but the weapons aren;t due for a couple of more months. They are waiting for Beretta to deliver the new ones. There are no special requests for certain numbered guns being honored. You are only guaranteed a working model 92D with two magazines.

Yes, please let me know.


Quick update, I found that Classic Firearms has some of the old surplus new in the box 92Ds from Saint Louis and ordered him one of those.

Steve