more on Baghdad in your Backyard

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

Begin forwarded message:

From: Brock Meeks <Brock.Meeks () msnbc com>
Date: December 8, 2005 11:44:24 PM EST
To: Zachariah Mully <zmully () smartbrief com>, dave () farber net
Subject: RE: [IP] Baghdad in your Backyard

Thanks, Z, for that splendid and detailed comment.  Truely an eye- 
opener. It still astounds me; the allure of such a hobby is lost on me.

Furthermore, while I can grok how some adults might enjoy playing  
with such toys, the children seen (and heard in the background) have  
no business, in my opinion, firing these weapons.  But that's just my  
opinion.


-----Original Message-----
From: Zachariah Mully [mailto:zmully () smartbrief com]
Sent: Thu 12/8/2005 9:36 PM
To: dave () farber net; Brock Meeks
Subject: Re: [IP] Baghdad in your Backyard

David Farber wrote:
> Begin forwarded message:
>
> From: Brock Meeks <Brock.Meeks () msnbc com>
> Date: December 8, 2005 6:58:57 PM EST
> To: dave () farber net
> Subject: Baghdad in your Backyard
>
> Am I just getting too old?  This clip seems wrong to me on so many
> levels...
>
> http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5854686068870249151


Brock-
        I'm sure you'll get a lot of email about this post, but I figured
having attended and participated at several events such as the one in
the video, I could offer you some insight into them and Title II
firearms. These machine gun shoots have probably been going on since the
Gun Control Act of 1968, but only now have others outside the community
discovered them.
        Title II/Class 3 weapons are basically full auto machine guns, and a
subset of other firearms, such as shotguns w/OAL less than 26" (see
http://www.nraila.org/federalfirearms.htm#Sec.%205845 for detailed
definitions). Many states prohibit the possession of such weapons, other
states require often lengthy permitting processes (try 1.5 years in
Mass), but regardless, you must purchase the weapon from a federally
licensed Class 3 dealer, pay various transfer taxes (usually multiples
of $200) and register the weapon with the ATF.
        So once you've gone through the trouble of securing one of these at
considerable expense (the cheapest are still usually several thousands
of dollars) and after much filing of paperwork, the dilemma is where to
shoot it? These are *not* the guns you hunt deer with, or rob your 7-11
with, regardless of what the Bradys might like you to think (I'm
curious, I wonder if anybody has a statistic for the number of crimes
committed with a *registered* Title II weapon). Most are probably 60-70
years old, and might have seen service in several wars, not to mention
being exceedingly rare, cantankerous and hellishly expensive to maintain
and shoot. And most gun clubs prohibit their use, not mention
discharging one in your backyard usually results in a neighbor calling
the cops.
        So what happens when you've got one, spent tens of thousands of dollars
on parts kits, loaders, ammo, and new shocks for your truck to carry it
all? Well, like any group of enthuasists, they like to get together to
show off their stuff, enjoy each others company and enjoy their hobby.
If this means pounding a hillside in Bushleague, NH, ID or wherever with
hundreds of thousands of rounds, then so be it. Getting to these events
is not easy either, transporting these weapons across state lines is
illegal without first obtaining permission from the government requiring
you file your travel plans several months in advance.
        If there is ever an event held close to you, I'd recommend you go to
it, every one I've been to has been professionally, safely and
exceedingly well run and managed, and the amount of concentrated
firepower is truly awesome. And completely legal.

Brgds,
Z
Gunless in DC



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