BD38 Discrepancy
I recently received the email below from Mr Etter of the Canadian Firearms Program .
William Etter 2013-01-15 12:14 PM
Good morning
The question you posed to the Canadian Firearms Program, Specialized Firearms Support Services Section, has been forwarded to me for a response.
Let me identify myself and my job function to you. I hold the job position of Chief Firearms Technologist, technical authority in the subject area of assigning the applicable legal class to all firearms found on the Firearms Reference Table as well as prohibited devices and prohibited ammunition.
I work in the Specialized Firearms Support Services Section which is a component of the Firearms Investigative and Enforcement Services Directorate, RCMP - Canadian Firearms Program.
I am authorized to speak on behalf of the Specialized Firearms Support Services Section.
QUESTION
From:
Date: January 11, 2013 10:19:06 AM PST
To: fierarmident@rcmp-grc.gc.ca
Cc:
Subject: BD38 reclasification
Hello
i am a current owner of a bd38 and i have been made aware that you have reclassified my rifle to prohibited . This was done after you had previously classified it as a restricted device some 8 years ago.
So what i would like to know is exactly how long it took you to do the conversion how in fact were you able to accomplish this . what tools were needed and how many bd38s did it take .
Also will you grand father us owners who legally purchased and registered this device which you had allowed in Canada in the first place .
ANSWERS
The Sport Systeme Dittrich firearm, Model BD38, is a factory manufactured firearm in semi-automatic configuration, which has a near exact copy of the receiver of a full automatic firearm. The two receivers are so similar that the original German Model MP38 and MP38/40 Submachine Gun trigger mechanisms will fit and function in the BD38 to support full automatic fire. Additionally, the Sport Systeme Dittrich firearm, Model BD38 is readily converted to fire full automatic in a relatively short time period with relative ease.
It is not in the interest of public safety to reveal to you exactly the manner of the minor modifications to the trigger mechanism to produce full automatic fire.
As for your last question regarding "grandfathering" owners, or firearms. It is not my prerogative to comment upon this matter. I am informed that the Registrar of Firearms will be sending all owners a letter explaining the options available to them.
I trust this helps.
William Etter
William (Bill) Etter
Chief Firearms Technologist
Specialized Firearms Support Services
Firearms Investigative & Enforcement Services Directorate
RCMP - CFP
Specialized Policing Services
613-993-6684
The email above is in direct conflict with the Marstar website http://www.marstar.ca/dynamic/produc...roductid=74987
"Now, thanks to Sport-Systeme Dittrich, a newly manufactured German made 'semi-automatic only' reproduction of the Mkb-42(H) is available to any Canadian who is legally permitted to acquire a handgun (these carbines are 'restricted' due to their barrel length). As with SSD's BD-44, BD-38 and BD-3008, extensive research and engineering has been invested into recreating these famous firearms even to the point of stamping them with authentic-looking 'waffenamts'! Everything except the 'semi-automatic only' fire control system (please note these rifles will not accept original trigger group components) - including the stamped receiver and rough forged gas block - is meticulously reproduced to resemble the unobtainable originals."
Discrepancies highlighted in bold.
Who is correct, Mr Etter or Marstar ?