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Maybe I will show up with it at the 12/16 North Shoot. Anyone who wants to try it should bring .22lr because it goes FAST. :twisted:
I knew it was a risk when I bought it and I am not going to wine about it now.
I hold out little hope for the good guys in this situation.
It appears that BATF is about to move the line on what constitutes an operational MG. It used to be more than one shot per single actuation of the trigger. Call this the trigger-centric definition. Clearly that definition doesn't include the Akins.
I expect them to redefine what a single actuation of the trigger is. They will probably require that each actuation be human initiated predominately through human supplied force. This is the human-centric definition.
The Akins fails the new human-centric test. So does any system where the operator simply holds their trigger finger in place and the energy from the fired round does all the work. If my theory is correct, this also spells doom for the hellfire kits. Those have been more or less a novelty because they require a modicum of skill to reliably master. Let's hope the FTB doesn't try a more aggressive redefinition that includes crank fire kits.
Before the redefinition, the Akins wasn't a gun and would therefore be untraceable. It works reliably enough with a lightened trigger and doesn't require much practice and shooter skill. In other words, it is something homeboy can buy and use. The realization that follow-on products using the same principle could be sold for guns like the Mini-14 and SKS must have had the powers that be crapping their panties.
Bowers has put out the word that they are proposing a system to return the kits in a way that avoids home visits by agents. It is yet to be seen if the ATF will accept it.
These Akins "kits" will not be grandfathered. It's all about the 86 ban. The Strikers and Street Sweepers are a poor precedent since the 86 makings ban never applied to DD's. The open bolt SA MACs and KG99 redefinitions predated the 86 ban. Besides, all of these guns had the required maker markings and serial numbers. I don't know why they didn't require registration of the SA Macs and KG99's. If they are MGs then the owners should be able to use them as such.
The only issues remaining are how the BATF will collect the Akins and if anyone will be compensated for their loss. Remember the US government can freely admit a "screw-up" and not be held liable under sovereign immunity. Little consolation, but maybe people can keep the BC stock and just surrender the accelerator.
If I'm wrong, I will be a happy man and glad for the guys that have the accellerators. Sadly, I don't have much hope left in the courts to do the right thing.
It was supposed to be america the "free" right?
:roll:
Freedom is a myth, it doesnt exist, at least not where i'm standing.
Without the accelerator the stock is worthless.Originally Posted by MuzzleFlash
If I do end up having to surrender it I wonder if I can give it to an SOT so at lest they could register it as a post sample and play with it.
This is unbelieveable. :roll:
http://www.atf.gov/alcohol/info/revr...-2_q_and_a.pdf
When I first saw the Akins I though it was somewhat questionable since the law is usually dictated by intent. However Akins claim “BATFE Approved” and Tom Bowers name made one think that they had did their homework and the ATF was going to let this fly.
Returning the spring and holding on to the Akins seems like a really bad idea. Many gun owners have extra recoil springs lying around and it seems like if the ATF decided to come after you it would be rather easy. It would be kind of like having both an AR15 and a pre-81 DIAS.
Now that the reversal requires Akins models to be rendered useless I wonder if the Akins Group will be offering any kind of refunds. I would really like to study the official opinion for the discrepancy in legal status between the models that were sold and the sample submitted and wonder if Akins owners will have any legal recourse due to these discrepancies.
BTW, the ATF's form looks like it was drafted by an 8th grader.
What a shame, I hope the Akins Group tries to make it up to you somehow.
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