Machine Guns in the US - Essay Example

Jose Alvarez EN208-2H 01 Public Speaking 01-Fall Machine guns are described as automatic fire arms that fire rounds in succession at a rate of hundred rounds per minute. Machine guns are different from automatic rifles. One of the main differences is that machine guns are belt fed and are generally heavier that automatic rifles. Most people classify them as automatic weapons. Machine guns can also be classified into light, medium or heavy machine guns. A light machine gun can be carried, but generally most machine guns are effective when fired from a tripod stand. US law describes a machine gun as “Any weapon which shoots ... automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger” (National). This is one example where laws confuse us more than help. The machine gun has had a checkered history; it was invented in the mid nineteenth century by Dr. Richard Jordon Gatling, and was known as the Gatling gun. He patented his invention in 1861. The Gatling gun was the first rapid firing gun which can precisely be referred to as the ancestor of modern machine gun. Dr Gatling said “it occurred to me that if I could invent a machine-a gun- which could by its rapidity of fire enable, one man to do as much battle duty as a hundred that it would to a large extent supersede the necessity of large armies and consequently, exposure to battle and disease would be greatly decreased (Richard par 4).” Instead of decreasing war, machine gun has brought about the opposite effect. This was followed in 1885 by a Maxim gun which was the first machine gun that was self powered, in that it used the recoil energy of the previous bullet to load and fire the next bullet. The modern machine gun is a development of the Maxim gun. All machine guns for firing use a basic mounting which is as follows a) A bipod for Light machine guns b) A tripod for a machine gun that obviated the man as a third leg. c) A pintle point is used for connecting a machine gun to the frame of a ship or aircraft. A pintle point is basically a steel post that connects to the frame. d) The last types of machine guns are those that do not use a human interface and are electrically fired like in a helicopter (McCallum 74). People have been collecting guns all over the world for decades. It is similar to people like collecting swords. But now a new hobby has emerged of collecting machine guns in most countries of the world, owning a machine gun is illegal, but in the United States 34 states of the union, it is legal for citizens to own and shoot with machine guns. In case you wish to start a hobby as a machine gun collector then please do ensure that the state you reside allows you to own a machine gun. In some states such as Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, New York, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Washington State and the district of Columbia, have a total ban on privately owned machine guns. However, despite the above quarters of million Americans own machine guns. The National Firearms Act 1934 is the nodal act that governs collection of Machine Guns for any purpose or as a hobby. Before 1934, there was no bar which owned machine guns, but the NFA passed in 1934 made it mandatory to register the weapon with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Fire arms (BATF). Machine guns have never been largely used in a crime as the procedure for owning a machine gun is very stringent. It must be noted that machine guns cannot be purchased across the counter and also a lengthy period from 60 to180 days elapse before you can own a machine gun. The procedure for getting a license is as follows: a) Live in a state where class III weapons are legal b) Be a US Citizen c) At least 21 years old d) Not convicted of a felony or domestic violence e) Never been dishonorably discharged from the army f) Never been adjudicated mentally defective. In addition, you will need an approval from the local law enforcement officer; this could typically be a county sheriff, chief of police, prosecutor or judge. One will also be finger printed and pay $ 200 Federal tax for each machine gun being transferred to you. In case no one wants to sign your approval certificate then one will not be in a position to purchase the firearm. Another important consideration is that of civilian possession, all machine guns must have been manufactured and registered with ATF prior to May19, 1968 for transfer between citizens. Post 1968 machine guns can only be sold to the government, law enforcement agencies and military entities by a class II manufacturer, who has paid for Special Occupational Tax stamp (SOT). Machine guns’ collection as a hobby has many facets, but most focus on the historic, technical or artistic merits of the machine guns which make them appealing to collectors though there are restrictions in owning machine guns, the thrill for a weapon connoisseur cannot be easily understood. It is a new hobby in the United States though unfortunately it is not permitted in tens of countries around the world like India and Europe. Chinese citizens also cannot purchase any type of weapons4. While buying a machine gun the following may be considered a) Collectability; this refers to the uniqueness of the weapon and how much other people want it. You will also have to decide what type of weapon you would like. b) Shoot ability; this refers to how the weapon handles and also making sure that the weapon you buy is perfect for you. c) Serviceability; this refers to the spare parts and the ease of servicing the weapon after a shoot and storage. d) Price; this is important because machine guns are costly and can set you back by hundreds of dollars. An M60 machine gun could cost you back by $20-30,000. Though Machine guns which were manufactured after 1986 are out of bounds, yet there are thousands of machine guns that are available for you to buy. Collecting machine guns is an enjoyable hobby for a man who has handled such weapons. Works Cited Page The National firearms Act 1934, 1934 http://www.atf.gov/firearms/nfa/ Dec. 1, 2011 McCallum, lain: Blood Brothers. Hiram and Hudson Maxim: Pioneers of Modern Warfare Chatham Publishing, London 1999 Richard C. Hoffman, GATLING: The Man And The Gun. n.d http://www.bwefirearms.com/history.html Dec. 1, 2011 Ellis, John: The Social history of the Machine gun 1975 Read More