Question About Suppressor Legislation

[Teufelhund]

OK. I was citing Wikipedia which is far from a definitive source. Here is part of what they wrote about the 1934 NFA:



Part of my thinking behind raising this topic is that we see folks wanting to redirect the dialogue. It occurs to me that the past restrictions on firearms is lost in the dialogue today - especially when we (pro-gun) are accused of being unwilling to compromise. Perhaps one way of addressing the broader picture of firearm restrictions is to ALSO address the restrictions that have already been enacted and ask the hard questions as to the legitimacy of THOSE restrictions.

I think this is a great idea. It is much the same tactic in constant use by gun-grabbers; they reach for the stars and then negotiate down to something that still amounts to significant infringement of the 2A. Instead of holding our ground and not letting them take anything else, we should start the conversation at the repeal of all past infringement.

[DHC]

I think this is a great idea. It is much the same tactic in constant use by gun-grabbers; they reach for the stars and then negotiate down to something that still amounts to significant infringement of the 2A. Instead of holding our ground and not letting them take anything else, we should start the conversation at the repeal of all past infringement.

Until recently, I am ashamed to admit that I was largely ignorant of the earlier legislation. I am still ignorant of many of the specific restrictions contained in the earlier laws. A brief summary looks like this:


* 1791 - Second Amendment to the US Constitution was ratified.

* 1934 - National Firearms Act (NFA) restricted: full-auto, short-barreled guns, silencers. Voided by the National Firearms Act (known as Gun Control Act/GCA) of 1968.

* 1938 - Federal Firearms Act. Required sellers to have a Federal Firearms License, record names and addresses of buyers, prohibited sales to people convicted of certain crimes.

* 1968 - Gun Control Act. Outlawed mail-order sales, expanded licensing (FFL) requirements to include more detailed records, restrictions of handgun sales across state lines, expanded prohibitions to anyone convicted of a felony, added import restrictions ("sporting purpose" test), added firearm marking requirements.

* 1986 - Law Enforcement Officers Protection Act. Outlawed armor-piercing ammunition. [not sure of this citation - unable to confirm]

* 1986 - Firearm Owners Protection Act. Addressed abuses of prosecution by ATF. Allowed interstate long gun sales, OK to ship ammo via USPS, "safe passage" provisions added, restricted ATF harassment of FFL holders.

* 1990 - Crime Control Act. Created "drug-free" school zones. Also contained the Gun Free School Zones Act containing criminal penalties for possessing firearms in a school zone.

* 1994 - Brady Handgun Violence Prevention Act. Established instant background check system (NICS), expanded prohibitions for firearm ownership to even some misdemeanor offenses (and many other prohibitions).

* 1994 - Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act. Included the 'Assault Weapon Ban' which expired in 2004. Included the Violence Against Women Act which expired in 2012. Included the Federal Death Penalty Act which added the death penalty for numerous crimes.

I doubt this is a complete list of all restrictive legislation and it does not begin to address how ATF interprets and enforces the laws, but it is at least a start. I see a LOT of things to address - such as:

- Silencers (as mentioned upthread)
- Short-barreled guns
- "Sporting Purpose" test on imports
- misdemeanor offenses resulting in prohibition
- felons with a lifetime ban

At least these deserve to be addressed as to WHY the restrictions exist and perhaps some easing of restrictions. Example, I can see the argument that some felons should not be allowed to own firearms - but ALL felons? And the law to prohibit someone convicted of a DV charge - especially when DV charges are handed out with virtually no basis in fact is clearly an area that needs relief - as are many others.

Anyone else have items to add?

[asmo]

Until recently, I am ashamed to admit that I was largely ignorant of the earlier legislation. I am still ignorant of many of the specific restrictions contained in the earlier laws. A brief summary looks like this:

* 1934 - National Firearms Act (NFA) restricted: full-auto, short-barreled guns, silencers. Voided by the National Firearms Act (known as Gun Control Act/GCA) of 1968.
* 1968 - Gun Control Act. Outlawed mail-order sales, expanded licensing (FFL) requirements to include more detailed records, restrictions of handgun sales across state lines, expanded prohibitions to anyone convicted of a felony, added import restrictions ("sporting purpose" test), added firearm marking requirements.
* 1990 - Crime Control Act. Created "drug-free" school zones. Also contained the Gun Free School Zones Act containing criminal penalties for possessing firearms in a school zone.

Two quick things. The GCA did not nullify the NFA. They are both alive and well.
The NFA is USC › Title 26 › Subtitle E › Chapter 53
The GCA is USC › Title 18 › Part I › Chapter 44

For your reading if you come accross the words "Title I" or "Title II" - The NFA is commonly referred to as Title II and the GCA is Title I --- backwards I know.


When referring to the GFSZA you need to look at whether your talking about before or after it was ruled unconsitutional - and reborn anew.

Anyone else have items to add?

Dont have time to go through this in detail but there is more -- especially if you include caselaw and state laws... I think someone did a count once and it was over 160k firearms laws already on the books (counting state, local, county, federal, etc.).