The ridicules has no logical explanation that can be attached to it...Deactivating is the destruction/neutering of historically important items in my opinion. If we are not to be trusted by our government to own them as they were intended, then outlaw and destroy them all together, but to force the owner to take a welding rod to it, is cruel and most unusual punishment for an individual who has done nothing wrong...deactivation is not a happy medium IMHO, what it is, is an insult. An insult I remember every time I vote. Regulate them? Sure!? Classify them as restricted range toys? Why not!? Weld the fu<ing things shut!? WTF is that all about!?
Sorry OP, you touched a nerve and its been a long day.