User Panel
Posted: 5/14/2014 11:18:37 PM EDT
////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
This thread got the ball rolling on Hollis v. Holder, for current news and developments on the Post '86 Machine Gun Lawsuits, visit Nolo's thread: Hollis v. Holder, Watson v. Holder To donate to the legal fund, follow this link to the Heller Foundation: https://hellerfoundation.org/donate-now/ //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Posted: 5/14/2014 Read about it here: http://blog.princelaw.com/2014/05/14/did-atfs-determination-on-nics-checks-open-the-door-for-manufacture-of-new-machineguns-for-trusts/ I know it's a long shot, but this could have seriously implications. ETA 5/15/14: Here's a cover letter I typed up for anyone interested in submitting any Form 1s. I think I covered everything, but I'm not a lawyer, so if any of you legal types want to chime in and add/edit anything, feel free. Also, the cover letter references the ATF letter to Brandon Maddox, so it would be in your best interest to print a copy of it and send it in with this cover letter. PDF of ATF letter Attention: NFA Examiner National Firearms Act Branch Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives 244 Needy Road, Suite 1250 Martinsburg, WV 25405 According to the Firearms Industry Programs Branch letter dated March 17, 2014 to Brandon Maddox of BMaddox Enterprises LLC, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) holds that unincorporated trusts are not “persons” as defined by 18 U.S. Code § 921(a) and the Gun Control Act (GCA). 18 U.S. Code § 921(a) provides: (1) The term “person” and the term “whoever” include any individual, corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, or joint stock company. ATF further clarifies the character of the law by stating the following in the letter to Mr. Maddox: "ATF has interpreted the GCA exception in sections 922(t)(3)(B) and 478.102(d)(2) to mean that firearms transfers are exempt from a NICS check when they have been approved under the NFA to the person receiving the firearm. Unlike individuals, corporations, partnerships, and associations; unincorporated trusts do not fall within the definition of “person” in the GCA." Since ATF holds that an unincorporated trust is not a “person” under the GCA, the prohibition on the transfer or possession of machineguns as defined by 18 U.S. Code § 921(a)(1) and 18 U.S. Code § 922(o) cannot apply to unincorporated trusts. 18 U.S. Code § 922(o) provides: (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2), it shall be unlawful for any person to transfer or possess a machinegun. (2) This subsection does not apply with respect to– (A) a transfer to or by, or possession by or under the authority of, the United States or any department or agency thereof or a State, or a department, agency, or political subdivision thereof; or (B) any lawful transfer or lawful possession of a machinegun that was lawfully possessed before the date this subsection takes effect. Therefore, included with this letter is an Application to Make and Register a Firearm (ATF Form 1 (5320.1)) and the appropriate accompanying documents, in order to register and pay the applicable tax on the manufacture a machinegun, as defined by 18 U.S. Code § 921(23) and 26 U.S. Code § 5845(b), on behalf of (((TRUST NAME))) Trust. Sincerely, (((NAME))) , Trustee (((TRUST NAME))) Trust ETA: 5/21/14 The Firearm Blog ran an article on this a few days ago: Prince Law Asserts: ATF Opens the Door for New Machine Guns in Trusts? ***Four months of Silence.*** ***No one heard any new developments on this until September.*** ETA : 9/10/14 On Page 9 a Form 1 came back approved for a new Machine Gun. Jaqufrost was quickly contacted by the ATF saying he has to send back the stamp. This thing is growing legs and will probably go to court. Stand by, because we will surely need contributions to a legal fund if it goes to court. All things considered, this looks like a realistic opportunity at taking back out rights to Machine Guns. If this fight starts moving forward, it's going to take a monumental amount of commitment to see it through. Hold fast, everyone. We're going to need all hands on deck for this one. ETA: 9/11/14 The audio of the ATF call on page 18 (thanks Jaqufrost): Quoted:
Audio is up. I'm not going to say I handled this phone call the best, but here it is. http://youtu.be/4s9GKoxnGcM View Quote ETA: 9/12/14 FAQ - - for the tl;dr crowd (Started by Undefined, edited by Orpheus762x51) What’s happening? 1. ATF ruled that a trust is not a person as defined by 18 U.S. Code § 921(a) and the Gun Control Act (GCA). 2. Since ATF holds that an unincorporated trust is not a “person” under the GCA, the prohibition on the transfer or possession of machineguns as defined by 18 U.S. Code § 921(a)(1) and 18 U.S. Code § 922(o) cannot apply to unincorporated trusts. 3. Numerous (See Footnote #1) trustees submitted Form 1 applications to build new machine guns. 4. ATF approved the applications and sent out stamps (See Footnote #2). 5. On or around 9/10/14, ATF began calling trustees that received stamps demanding that they be returned, or in the case of eForms, updating their online status from Approved to Disapproved. Those that were called were told they had to return the stamp. (See Footnote #3 for audio of one such call) 6. Attorneys are working on it now... Footnotes: 1. Current estimates put the number of trusts that applied somewhere in the low hundreds. Unfortunately, there is no 100% accurate count that is publicly available. 2. Some stamps were received as early as the first week of August 2014. Others have not been received yet. 3. Jaqufrost's call from the ATF: Does this mean if I have a trust I can get Form 1s approved to build machine guns? No. BATFE is no longer sending out approvals. Your application will be rejected. Should I submit a Form 1 through a trust right now? Yes. As of right now, the ATF is aware of what is going on with these Form 1s. Your submission will likely be rejected, however it would add you to a class of trustees who have standing against the ATF in the event of future legal action. Even though your Form 1 application will likely be denied, it would be helpful to submit a Form 1. What should I do if I was one of the trustees that submitted a Form 1 and received approval? Presto97sl summed it up pretty well (see below). I would add that you should contact NoloContendere via IM and at [email protected] as he is a rally point right now for coordinating and tracking efforts on this issue. Here is what Nolo wants, in this particular order: 1) if you received an approval and subsequent to that approval manufactured And then had a disapproval. 2) if you received an approval and then were denied. 3) if you filed a form 1 and were denied. Quoted:
Let me begin with I am an attorney. Anyone who had one of these approved and then denied needs to do the following 1. Cut off any contact with the ATF directly regarding this issue until you have sought legal counsel. 2. Keep a copy of any information they mail to you, I would photo copy and hang onto everything. 3. Contact an attorney who specializes in this area of law. 4. DO NOT cash the check they are going to send you refunding your paid tax ( you may waive your rights by doing so). View Quote What can the rest of us do to help? 1. Keep the thread bumped. 2. Submit a Form 1 to manufacture a machine gun through a trust. 3. Stand by. Where can I send donations? Nowhere, yet! There will be a time and place for that, but no one wants to start collecting money until we know how and where it will be spent. Plaintiffs are discussing options with attorneys right now. Attorneys are working on a plan right now. As soon as funding is needed, it will be requested (after getting Strykers approval). Until then, be patient. So the OP has an approved Form 1 and a machine gun? No. Orpheus762x51 started this thread and is keeping Arfcom updated on the situation. Jaqufrost did receive an approval on his Form 1, then the ATF subsequently demanded that it be returned. Undefined, NoloContendere, I_am_Dan, and a few others in this thread are just plain awesome. How do I Submit a Form 1? For paper Forms: Complete Guide of how to complete a Form 1 For eForms: Visual guide: How to fill out a Form 1 using EFORMS ETA: 9/13/14 The die has been cast on Page 36. Quoted:
I've been informed that one of my gunsmith's customers (Mr Ground Zero) received his stamp and converted an AR in early August. His lawyer has opined that the ATF is VERY CAREFULLY choosing their words as they contact those people that they have issued stamps to. His take is that they are trying to intimidate people into surrendering their stamps and any MGs that have been manufactured since those stamps were received. No words stating that the stamp holders MUST surrender were used in the audio recording posted here, it has merely been implied. No certified letters have been received by Mr Ground Zero as is required by law when ATF ORDERS an FFL to surrender stamps or firearms. No other such official communications have taken place, either. Simply a phone call, which does not constitute an official communication. It sounds just like the telephone games IRS plays with people trying to entrap them into admitting to tax fraud. This one individual has already contacted his congressman and is working to provide the information requested by the congressman's office to verify this complaint, which may be the prelude to congressional action on ATF making a policy change that required congressional action to be legal. ATF is scurrying around trying to cover this mess up like a cat with diarrhea, and they are not doing a very good job of things as everything they've done has uncovered more shit they don't want exposed. View Quote So there you have it, ladies and gentlemen. One of the first machine guns produced in civilian hands in nearly thirty years... With ATF approval. Yes. You heard right. A machine gun. Manufactured after 1986. With ATF Form 1 approval. Is in the WILD!!! Also, this issue has been making it's way around the internet in the form of several articles in just a couple days: The Firearm Blog: ATF Approves Post-86 Machine Gun Form 1 The Firearm Blog: BATFE Phone Call Asking For Return of Approved Trust Form 1 The Truth About Guns: ATF Just Approved the First New Civilian Machine Gun in 28 Years. By Accident. NFA Gun Trust Lawyer Blog: ATF Approves some Form 1 to Make Machine Guns by a Gun Trust and then Rescinds the Approval Prince Law Offices, P. C. : Did ATF Approve Your Making of a New Machinegun and Then Rescind It? Contact Us To Discuss ETA: 9/15/14 A side note to anyone anticipating a "run" on auto parts: ***disclaimer*** This is NOT advice on what to do/aquire, this is only a brief insight that I have gained through my examination of ATF policy, manufacturer behavior, and the laws as written and interpreted. /disclaimer In the case of the AR15, BATFE considers a machine gun to be "any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger" (taken from 26 USC 5845 (b)). Now, there has been determination letters over the years that state anything from mere possession of auto parts is illegal possession of a machine gun, all the way up to it's not a machine gun unless it explicitly meets the definition in 26 USC 5845. The safest play is not to mess with auto parts. That being said, mechanically speaking, a M16 trigger assembly, by itself, will not make an AR15 fire automatically. You still need a sear and a M16 selector. Whether or not that puts your rifle in the "readily restored/readily convertable" catagory, I have no idea. I know there was some case back in the 30's or 40's where BATFE essentially came out and said "if it can be made to fire full auto after 8 hours in a machine shop, it's readily convertable" Some savvy machinists later demonstrated that a simple sub machine gun could be made from raw bar stock in less time, and everyone laughed at the ATF. All that being said, there are examples out there of early Colt SP1s, pre AWB ARs, and others that essentially use all the M16 FCG parts, minus the sear and selector, and I don't see ATF hauling off the undoubtedly thousands of people who have rifles with that combination of parts. Also, I know that when Geissele was making their commemorative John Noveske triggers, those were select fire trigger groups. Are you going to tell me with a straight face that everyone who bought and used the Noveske SSF triggers either owns a pre-86 transferable or are committing a felony? Negative Ghost Rider. I have no idea how many people out there are using M16 trigger groups in their ARs, but I would be willing to say with confidence, the answer is "more than you think". However, if you do like the dumb ass in Wisconsin and put a M16 trigger, BCG, and selector in your AR, go find some shitty ammo combination that makes it slam fire 3-5 round bursts, and then brag about it while shooting it at your local range.... better pepper your angus ETA: 9/16/14 An excerpt from page 59, according to Nolo, it looks like this issue may have the potential to strike at the heart of the NFA: Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
If this holds up, ATF is going to go from a cost center to a net revenue generator pretty damned fast. View Quote If the taxing stands. View Quote Don't tease me. I have waited my entire adult life to see a viable challenge of the Hughes Amendment. To even consider a challenge that takes on Miller and could take down the NFA is almost beyond my ability to imagine... that thought falls just beyond winning the Powerball and just ahead of science discovering a drug than grants immortality on my scale of extreme dreams. View Quote I have spent a bunch of time researching and reviewing and speaking to various experts. A lawsuit will be filed. The case will not be quick. You will hear other attorneys gnashing their teeth about how we did something wrong, or didn't do it how they would do it. That's okay. Attorneys have different litigation strategies, and there is nothing wrong with that. I ask that everyone be patient. This is worth it, and it is worth taking the time to do it right. The complaint will include a challenge and attack on the entire NFA. This will not be a single issue case. View Quote Be patient everyone. This is going to take time, money, and faith. ETA 9/18/14: According to NoloContendere on page 66, at least 2 lawsuits are in the works already. Keep your heads high everyone, the ball is rolling. ETA 10/7/14: From Page 82: Quoted:
Lawsuit #3 in the works. View Quote ETA 10/10/14: The legal team is now accepting donations! http://www.gofundme.com/fmxlnk Quoted:
This fund-raising request has been approved by Striker. Please note that AR15.com is not involved in this, and if you have any questions regarding the fund-raising or anything else, please direct them to me. http://www.gofundme.com/fmxlnk My name is Stephen Stamboulieh. And I approve this message. I am an attorney in Mississippi that has tirelessly worked to further our 2nd Amendment rights. Now, my sights are set on 18 USC sec 922(o). This is known as the machinegun ban. I don't believe this is constitutional in light of the Second Amendment to the Constitution. Likewise, the National Firearms Act ("NFA"), which taxes the making and transferring of Title II weapons (machineguns, suppressors, short barrel rifles, short barrel shotguns, etc) is ripe to be attacked on Second Amendment grounds. We have the avenue to attack both the machinegun ban and the NFA with the BATFE's recent approval of a number of Form 1s. I have a number of clients that I will be filing a lawsuit on behalf of to seek to overturn the ban and the NFA in different states. This will be expensive. I am in the process of collecting donations to offset the legal fees in this case. If you are interested in assisting, please donate. No donation is too small. These lawsuits will be funded strictly off donations. Unlike the government, we do not have an unlimited war chest to fund this. That is where the grass roots come into play. We can do this, but we need your help! All donations will be held in my lawyer trust account. As we work on the cases and "bill" time to the case, the trust account will be debited. If we get $10,000 in donations, and my fees/expenses total $50,000, then I will only be paid the $10,000. If we get $100,000 in donations, and my fees/expenses are $50,000, we will hold the funds in trust until such time as the appeals are exhausted (if necessary) or the remainder is donated to a Second Amendment rights group. It is important to know that I WILL NOT KEEP ANY UNEARNED DONATED FUNDS! Period. I doubt that will be an issue due to the breadth and number of cases, but I want to be upfront. If you cannot donate, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers that we are successful in overturning the ban and the NFA, and that "the right to keep and bear arms" can continue to be restored through the courts. Thank you, Stephen Stamboulieh, Esq. Disclaimer - Your donation does not create an attorney-client relationship with me or any other attorney I associate on these cases. You are donating to the lawsuits and not paying for legal advice. You should not consider information on this page to be an invitation for any attorney-client relationship. The content of this page does not convey legal, accounting, tax, career or other professional advice of any kind. You should not rely on the information as legal advice for any purpose as it may not reflect current legal developments. No person viewing this page should act or refrain from acting on the basis of information included on this page, and this page should not be relied upon or used as a substitute for consultation with professional advisors. My website is: http://www.sdslaw.us My email is stephen @ sdslaw.us View Quote Quoted:
I completely left this out earlier. For anyone that wants to donate via check/MO, send it here: Stamboulieh Law, PLLC P.O.. Box 4008 Madison, MS 39130 Please write "NFA cases" on the check/MO. If you would write your screen name on a separate piece of paper so I can thank you, that would be appreciated! View Quote ETA 10/11/14: NoloContendere's Freedom of Information Act request: View Quote ETA 10/14/14: Today I started sharing the donation link on twitter. #Stop922o Take back our #2A right to machine guns! http://www.gofundme.com/fmxlnk?pc=tw_f_m ETA 10/31/14: Last one out, get the lights! I'll keep this short and sweet. This will be my last update to this thread. NoloContendre has started a new thread on the lawsuit targeted at 922(o) here: http://www.ar15.com/forums/t_1_5/1681489_Hollis_v__Holder___Lawsuit_over_922_o___NFA_and_various_other_items.html&page=1 Gentlemen, it has been an honor and a pleasure posting with you over the past few months. Regardless of the outcome, the reward, or where this journey will take us, know this: There is victory in our resolve. Many doubt us, indeed many demonize us, but today we just fired a righteous shot across the bow of those who continue to restrict our liberty. Onward to victory! Rightful liberty is unobstructed action according to our will within limits drawn around us by the equal rights of others. I do not add 'within the limits of the law' because law is often but the tyrant's will, and always so when it violates the rights of the individual. -Thomas Jefferson |
|
|
I don't see it happening.
Prince Law is the Massad Ayoob of the NFA world. |
|
|
There's a significant difference between what the letter of the law and its rulings might seem to state, and how they're actually going to be applied in the real world.
Sadly, I don't think ATF is going to buy it this time. |
|
|
Holy S***!
Yeah, it is a technicality, but the point is valid. However, can the ATF simply reverse its opinion about what a person is on a whim -- if it decides that the outcome of one position is less desirable than the other? |
|
Would be cool, but it's not going to happen.
And besides, their logic is that a trust could manufacture a new machine gun. How the hell does a trust do that? It doesn't. You manufacture a machine gun and put it into the trust and you were the one that illegally manufactured it, not the trust. |
|
Quoted:
There's a significant difference between what the letter of the law and its rulings might seem to state, and how they're actually going to be applied in the real world. Sadly, I don't think ATF is going to buy it this time. View Quote True, but one has to wonder what would happen if they were suddenly inundated with Form 1s citing this as the reason. Granted, no good would come out of it.... and it would probably make NFA transfers slow down even more. |
|
|
Bloomberg, Soros, Gates, Buffett, et al, would spend every penny they ever had to keep that from ever happening.
It's the world we live in now. |
|
Quoted:
Would be cool, but it's not going to happen. And besides, their logic is that a trust could manufacture a new machine gun. How the hell does a trust do that? It doesn't. You manufacture a machine gun and put it into the trust and you were the one that illegally manufactured it, not the trust. View Quote Not so sure about that. When you Form 1 an item, you engrave it with the trust, not the actual person who did the work. Using a manufacturer as an example, Colt doesn't engrave their Title I firearms with "Bob from CT" on the side. They put the "manufacturer" name "Colt." I think a trust filing a Form I would be the actual manufacturer, not the trustee, or owner of the trust. |
|
|
ATF probably did this knowingly so they could backdoor machine guns onto the registry for liberal elites.
|
|
Logic, reason, the US Constitution, and rule of law mean jack shit to the BATFE.
|
|
|
|
Quoted:
Hasn't there been some "special" cases where people were allowed to register new machine guns? View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
ATF probably did this knowingly so they could backdoor machine guns onto the registry for liberal elites. Hasn't there been some "special" cases where people were allowed to register new machine guns? Charlie Wilson's krink. Kind of, form 10ed but he kept it in his possession. Being a congressman has its perks I guess |
|
Quoted:
It's not. Just like a trust, corporations aren't "people" either. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
That's a stretch It's not. Just like a trust, corporations aren't "people" either. Alright. Who's going to submit a Form 1? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
|
Do you guys realize how fucking absurd it is you have to fill out forms and send paperwork off to a government organization so you can do something with an object?
|
|
Quoted:
Alright. Who's going to submit a Form 1? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
That's a stretch It's not. Just like a trust, corporations aren't "people" either. Alright. Who's going to submit a Form 1? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile If someone was willing to carry this issue to the end, I'll go on record as being willing to pitch in for someone to Form I a Sten kit or something. |
|
|
Quoted:
Do you guys realize how fucking absurd it is you have to fill out forms and send paperwork off to a government organization so you can do something with an object? View Quote The alternatives are not pleasant: A. Don't obtain the item. B. Make it illegally and deal with the potential for criminal charges, loss of rights due to felony charges, etc. If neither of the above is acceptable to you, you know what you have to do. |
|
Quoted: Charlie Wilson's krink. Kind of, form 10ed but he kept it in his possession. Being a congressman has its perks I guess View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: ATF probably did this knowingly so they could backdoor machine guns onto the registry for liberal elites. Hasn't there been some "special" cases where people were allowed to register new machine guns? Charlie Wilson's krink. Kind of, form 10ed but he kept it in his possession. Being a congressman has its perks I guess Weapons on a From 10 can never be sold to the public |
|
Quoted:
Weapons on a From 10 can never be sold to the public View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
ATF probably did this knowingly so they could backdoor machine guns onto the registry for liberal elites. Hasn't there been some "special" cases where people were allowed to register new machine guns? Charlie Wilson's krink. Kind of, form 10ed but he kept it in his possession. Being a congressman has its perks I guess Weapons on a From 10 can never be sold to the public But theoretically could a trust Form 10 a new-manufacture MG and possess it within the trust? NM.. I just read the ATF Form 10-- Government Entity. I wasn't familiar with that particular form. ETA: Is a congressman really a "government entity?" I am not familiar with this case. |
|
Quoted:
Alright. Who's going to submit a Form 1? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
That's a stretch It's not. Just like a trust, corporations aren't "people" either. Alright. Who's going to submit a Form 1? Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Dunno, CEO? COO? |
|
Someone try it and post up what happens. Really, all they can do is say "no" and if the right legal type takes it on it could go somewhere.
|
|
|
Quoted:
Holy S***! Yeah, it is a technicality, but the point is valid. However, can the ATF simply reverse its opinion about what a person is on a whim -- if it decides that the outcome of one position is less desirable than the other? View Quote Yes, the letter is just an advisory opinion. BATFE can, and has, rescinded opinions provided in them. |
|
Quoted:
Holy S***! Yeah, it is a technicality, but the point is valid. However, can the ATF simply reverse its opinion about what a person is on a whim -- if it decides that the outcome of one position is less desirable than the other? View Quote I don't think so. The definition is in the 1968 GCA. It would take an act of congress to change it. This definitely opens a lot of doors real wide. No matter what, I see this going to court. I don't know how it's going to turn out but I think DOJ and ATF really fucked up this time. |
|
|
The person from the ATF they are talking about, Helen Koppe was did my first compliance inspection.
Filling out my form 1 now. |
|
|
Quoted:
Yes, the letter is just an advisory opinion. BATFE can, and has, rescinded opinions provided in them. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Holy S***! Yeah, it is a technicality, but the point is valid. However, can the ATF simply reverse its opinion about what a person is on a whim -- if it decides that the outcome of one position is less desirable than the other? Yes, the letter is just an advisory opinion. BATFE can, and has, rescinded opinions provided in them. Then this likely only forces them to choose to either back off of their position on trusts as being non-persons-- although I am sure they are trying to figure out how to have their cake and eat it as we speak. |
|
Quoted:
It's not. Just like a trust, corporations aren't "people" either. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
That's a stretch It's not. Just like a trust, corporations aren't "people" either. So post-1986 machine guns can be transferred to my corporation? Sweet. |
|
|
Quoted:
Yes, the letter is just an advisory opinion. BATFE can, and has, rescinded opinions provided in them. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Holy S***! Yeah, it is a technicality, but the point is valid. However, can the ATF simply reverse its opinion about what a person is on a whim -- if it decides that the outcome of one position is less desirable than the other? Yes, the letter is just an advisory opinion. BATFE can, and has, rescinded opinions provided in them. They probably will, but if a trust is a person in the revised opinion they will have to perform some other mental gymnastics to require the NICS check. |
|
Quoted:
Holy S***! Yeah, it is a technicality, but the point is valid. View Quote I wouldn't call it a technicality... technically. Everything is lawful, by default, in the USA unless there is a specific law making it illegal. I hate the notion of 'loophole' or 'technicality' when it comes to laws. It always makes it seem like someone is trying to skirt 'the law', as if the corrupt legislatures that pass most of this drivel actually have the Constitutional authority to enact such draconian garbage. In any case.... anything to stick it in the eye of Ronald Reagan's corpse over the '86 ban. |
|
Quoted:
Quoted:
Holy S***! Yeah, it is a technicality, but the point is valid. However, can the ATF simply reverse its opinion about what a person is on a whim -- if it decides that the outcome of one position is less desirable than the other? You like sophistry? Not particularly. And I'm not entirely sure I see where you are going with that. Taking a stab, however, I have no issues operating from a technical oversight (in their desired outcome of the opinion) in the reasoning of an entity whom exists to use technical nitpicking to exert their will. That goose and gander type stuff. |
|
So they basically have crafted themselves into syntactically mutually-exclusive scenarios when it comes to NFA weapons and unincorporated trusts? They cannot simultaneously hold that a trust is not a person and then deny that non-person entity the authority to manufacture a new machinegun on a Form 1.
The problem with this is that if, through some miraculous alignment of the planets they allowed this to follow to its logical end and quietly allow trusts to manufacture new machineguns, the window of opportunity to accomplish this will likely be measured in days or weeks until some clarifying rule is put into place or legislation snuck through. |
|
Quoted:
I wouldn't call it a technicality... technically. Everything is lawful, by default, in the USA unless there is a specific law making it illegal. I hate the notion of 'loophole' or 'technicality' when it comes to laws. It always makes it seem like someone is trying to skirt 'the law', as if the corrupt legislatures that pass most of this drivel actually have the Constitutional authority to enact such draconian garbage. In any case.... anything to stick it in the eye of Ronald Reagan's corpse over the '86 ban. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted:
Quoted:
Holy S***! Yeah, it is a technicality, but the point is valid. I wouldn't call it a technicality... technically. Everything is lawful, by default, in the USA unless there is a specific law making it illegal. I hate the notion of 'loophole' or 'technicality' when it comes to laws. It always makes it seem like someone is trying to skirt 'the law', as if the corrupt legislatures that pass most of this drivel actually have the Constitutional authority to enact such draconian garbage. In any case.... anything to stick it in the eye of Ronald Reagan's corpse over the '86 ban. Well, when I say "technicality," I mean one in their line of reasoning. The opinion was framed for a desired outcome-- BATFE oversight and control. The consequences of that opinion were/ are possibly more far-reaching than they anticipated. |
|
AR15.COM is the world's largest firearm community and is a gathering place for firearm enthusiasts of all types.
From hunters and military members, to competition shooters and general firearm enthusiasts, we welcome anyone who values and respects the way of the firearm.
Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter to receive firearm news, product discounts from your favorite Industry Partners, and more.
Copyright © 1996-2024 AR15.COM LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Any use of this content without express written consent is prohibited.
AR15.Com reserves the right to overwrite or replace any affiliate, commercial, or monetizable links, posted by users, with our own.