blaxsun
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Every week we seem to see various comments or threads for full auto or suppressors, leading to the obvious comparison between Canada and our closest neighbour, the US. Most of these are really "wishful thinking" and not necessarily based in reality.
Until lapsing in 2004, the prior 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban prohibited the following. Some of this should look familiar...
• All fully-automatic firearms
• AR-15's by name, and semi-automatics that accepted detachable magazines and two or more of the following: folding/telescoping stock, pistol grip, bayonet mount, threaded barrel/flash suppressor and grenade launchers
• Semi-automatic pistols with detachable magazines and two or more of the following: magazines that attach outside the pistol grip, threaded barrel or suppressor, barrel shroud, weight of 50oz+ or semi-auto versions of full auto pistols
• Semi-automatic shotguns with two or more of the following: detachable magazines, folding/telescoping stock, pistol grip or fixed capacity of more than 5 rounds
• Magazines with a capacity in excess of 10 rounds
• Provisions in the AWB were made for the possession or sale of pre-existing firearms and devices (aka: "grandfathering").
Here are some interesting current facts:
• Silencers are prohibited in 12/50 states, plus DC
• Full auto is prohibited in 10/50 states, plus DC
• Short barrel rifles are prohibited in 9/50 states, plus DC
• Short barrel shotguns are prohibited in 12/50 states, plus DC
• Magazine capacity is restricted in 8/50 states (usually 10-12 rounds)
Let's start with SBRs. In Canada, you can own any SBR (<18.5" barrel or <26" overall length) with a restricted PAL. There are no firearms registration fees at this time and transport is regulated with ATTs. Let's compare the US:
• An SBR is classified as any shoulder-fired firearm with a barrel length of <16" or an OAL of <26" (now you know where that goofy chin stock comes into play)
• SBRs require a $200 BTAF tax stamp (this involves an application, lengthy background check, consent from local LE and registration).
• SBR firearms can only be transferred through a Class-III firearms dealer (no direct sale between buyer and seller)
• BTAFE notification is required prior to taking across state lines (ATT)
• SBR owners are required to carry their BTAF tax stamp with the firearm at all times
Now let's look at suppressors. In addition to being prohibited in 12 states, silencers also require the same BTAF tax stamp and registration.
• Silencers require a $200 BTAF tax stamp (this involves an application, lengthy background check, consent from local LE and registration).
• Silencers can only be transferred through a Class-III firearms dealer (no direct sale between buyer and seller)
• BTAFE notification is required prior to taking across state lines (ATT)
• Silencer owners are required to carry their BTAF tax stamp at all times
What about full-auto? This is where the real fun begins... Full-auto firearms are highly-regulated by the NFA act.
• Only FA firearms manufactured in or prior to 1986 may be owned by civlians
• Complete M16s will run you $18,000!!! The drop-in auto sears (DIAS) for existing semi-automatic AR15 lowers run $9,000 - $12,000. More details on the drop-in sears, technical aspects and legalities can be found here.
• Full-autos and auto-sears require a $200 BTAF tax stamp (this involves an application, lengthy background check, consent from local LE and registration), 2 sets of fingerprint cards and 2 passport photos)
• The application can take anywhere from 50-90 days to 9 months (even the slightest error results in immediate rejection). In addition to the background check, an extensive FBI criminal check is also run.
• Full-autos can only be transferred through a Class-III firearms dealer (no direct sale between buyer and seller)
• BTAFE notification is required prior to taking across state lines (ATT)
• Full-auto owners are required to carry their BTAF tax stamp at all times
So just to re-cap... provided you're not in one of the 8-12 states that outright prohibits SBRs, suppressors, full-autos and limits magazine capacity - this is what you're looking at to get SBR/full-auto/suppressed setup:
• 3 separate applications, 3 background checks, 3 letters/applications from local LE, 1 extensive FBI background check and fingerprints on file
• 1-2 BTAF tax stamps ($400; $200 for the FA/SBR and $200 for the suppressor, if it's detachable) which are required to be carried with the firearm at all times.
• Upwards of $500 for a suppressor (usually more)
• Anywhere from $9,000-$12,000 for a DIAS (more for an actual FA M16)
• Then you still have your upper, optics and accessories
The bottom line is that even if all of these options were available in Canada, this involves an investment of between $15,000-$20,000... for a single firearm.
Now you shouldn't take this as any endorsement of Canadian firearm laws, because there is certainly room for improvement/overhaul (specifically, ATTs along with transport and storage requirements for restricted firearms).
But it does serve to illustrate that the grass is 'not always necessarily greener' on the other side. And while having the "full-auto" dream in the US is certainly possible, it is prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of firearms owners (the same as it would be in Canada).
Comments/discussion welcome.
Until lapsing in 2004, the prior 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban prohibited the following. Some of this should look familiar...
• All fully-automatic firearms
• AR-15's by name, and semi-automatics that accepted detachable magazines and two or more of the following: folding/telescoping stock, pistol grip, bayonet mount, threaded barrel/flash suppressor and grenade launchers
• Semi-automatic pistols with detachable magazines and two or more of the following: magazines that attach outside the pistol grip, threaded barrel or suppressor, barrel shroud, weight of 50oz+ or semi-auto versions of full auto pistols
• Semi-automatic shotguns with two or more of the following: detachable magazines, folding/telescoping stock, pistol grip or fixed capacity of more than 5 rounds
• Magazines with a capacity in excess of 10 rounds
• Provisions in the AWB were made for the possession or sale of pre-existing firearms and devices (aka: "grandfathering").
Here are some interesting current facts:
• Silencers are prohibited in 12/50 states, plus DC
• Full auto is prohibited in 10/50 states, plus DC
• Short barrel rifles are prohibited in 9/50 states, plus DC
• Short barrel shotguns are prohibited in 12/50 states, plus DC
• Magazine capacity is restricted in 8/50 states (usually 10-12 rounds)
Let's start with SBRs. In Canada, you can own any SBR (<18.5" barrel or <26" overall length) with a restricted PAL. There are no firearms registration fees at this time and transport is regulated with ATTs. Let's compare the US:
• An SBR is classified as any shoulder-fired firearm with a barrel length of <16" or an OAL of <26" (now you know where that goofy chin stock comes into play)
• SBRs require a $200 BTAF tax stamp (this involves an application, lengthy background check, consent from local LE and registration).
• SBR firearms can only be transferred through a Class-III firearms dealer (no direct sale between buyer and seller)
• BTAFE notification is required prior to taking across state lines (ATT)
• SBR owners are required to carry their BTAF tax stamp with the firearm at all times
Now let's look at suppressors. In addition to being prohibited in 12 states, silencers also require the same BTAF tax stamp and registration.
• Silencers require a $200 BTAF tax stamp (this involves an application, lengthy background check, consent from local LE and registration).
• Silencers can only be transferred through a Class-III firearms dealer (no direct sale between buyer and seller)
• BTAFE notification is required prior to taking across state lines (ATT)
• Silencer owners are required to carry their BTAF tax stamp at all times
What about full-auto? This is where the real fun begins... Full-auto firearms are highly-regulated by the NFA act.
• Only FA firearms manufactured in or prior to 1986 may be owned by civlians
• Complete M16s will run you $18,000!!! The drop-in auto sears (DIAS) for existing semi-automatic AR15 lowers run $9,000 - $12,000. More details on the drop-in sears, technical aspects and legalities can be found here.
• Full-autos and auto-sears require a $200 BTAF tax stamp (this involves an application, lengthy background check, consent from local LE and registration), 2 sets of fingerprint cards and 2 passport photos)
• The application can take anywhere from 50-90 days to 9 months (even the slightest error results in immediate rejection). In addition to the background check, an extensive FBI criminal check is also run.
• Full-autos can only be transferred through a Class-III firearms dealer (no direct sale between buyer and seller)
• BTAFE notification is required prior to taking across state lines (ATT)
• Full-auto owners are required to carry their BTAF tax stamp at all times
So just to re-cap... provided you're not in one of the 8-12 states that outright prohibits SBRs, suppressors, full-autos and limits magazine capacity - this is what you're looking at to get SBR/full-auto/suppressed setup:
• 3 separate applications, 3 background checks, 3 letters/applications from local LE, 1 extensive FBI background check and fingerprints on file
• 1-2 BTAF tax stamps ($400; $200 for the FA/SBR and $200 for the suppressor, if it's detachable) which are required to be carried with the firearm at all times.
• Upwards of $500 for a suppressor (usually more)
• Anywhere from $9,000-$12,000 for a DIAS (more for an actual FA M16)
• Then you still have your upper, optics and accessories
The bottom line is that even if all of these options were available in Canada, this involves an investment of between $15,000-$20,000... for a single firearm.
Now you shouldn't take this as any endorsement of Canadian firearm laws, because there is certainly room for improvement/overhaul (specifically, ATTs along with transport and storage requirements for restricted firearms).
But it does serve to illustrate that the grass is 'not always necessarily greener' on the other side. And while having the "full-auto" dream in the US is certainly possible, it is prohibitively expensive for the vast majority of firearms owners (the same as it would be in Canada).
Comments/discussion welcome.
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