Banned by the ATF

[Lady Di]

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2007/dec/26/na-ban-of-device-by-atf-triggers-inventors-ire/

[VegasGeorge]

Well, wait a minute here. This isn't about whether machine guns ought to be legal or not. I think they should be, but that's not the point. The point is, that machine guns are illegal under current law, and this man's device was clearly intended to convert existing semi automatic weapons to fire in a fully automatic mode. The only "problem" I see here is the original letter from the ATF wherein: "the agency approved the Accelerator anyway, saying in a letter that it did not meet the criteria for a machine gun and, as a concept, was allowable under federal law." That was a stupid mistake by the ATF. And, I believe that everyone, including the ATF, should pay for their mistakes.

What that means is, I think the government should compensate the man for any loss he can prove was occasioned by his misplaced reliance on the ATF's letter. However, under excising law, I would have to agree that the ATF is correct in banning the device.

[Bill of Rights]

Well, aside from the distinction that that means that you and I pay for the government's screwups, I would also question the legality, given both John Jay's statement from Marbury v Madison as well as the quote in my .sig, below, of the ATF in toto, to say nothing of this ruling specifically.

For the record, I'm with you, George, so-called "Class III" weapons should be as legal as BB guns, and as easy to purchase (though a bit more costly, I'll grant. You get what you pay for.)

Blessings,
B