Deactivated Thompson's

[Sparky]

Does anyone out there know what the laws are regarding bringing in deactivated fully auto weapons into the U.S. from Europe? Specifically France and or Belgium. I imagine that France is O.K. judging by how they are with weapons and reinactors for special occasions coming into the country.

I know in France they provide a document from the government stating that the weapon is officially deactivated etc.

I don't know about Belgium or anywhere else for that matter.

Thanks for your help.

[Bill Grist]

Nothing

Does anyone out there know what the laws are regarding bringing in deactivated fully auto weapons into the U.S. from Europe? Specifically France and or Belgium. I imagine that France is O.K. judging by how they are with weapons and reinactors for special occasions coming into the country.

I know in France they provide a document from the government stating that the weapon is officially deactivated etc.

I don't know about Belgium or anywhere else for that matter.

Thanks for your help.

Nothing Full auto can be brought in, deact or not..The receiver has to be destroyed....BILL

[Sparky]

Hi Bill,

Thanks for your reply!

I know a guy that brought one back this year in his checked on luggage and even informed customs upon entering the U.S. that it was there and no problem. Probably just our wonderful TSA at work?

[Peter_Suciu]

Don't buy a European deact, as different countries have different rules. I bought a few deacts in the last couple of years and have had some minor problems. So I have a few words of advice. First...don't buy any from eBay. They're kind of cracking down on this anyway, but the reason I recommend this is that individual sellers can claim all they want that they're following BATF rules, but at the end of the day you own it!

I bought a Sten and basically handed it in to ATF. The gun looked great but was probably a step or two too close to be able to being reconverted to fire. IMA and others have dummies, so go with an actual dealer like these rather than some guy who just bought the parts kits and rebuild it. As Bill said the receiver must be destroyed. And the other thing is some states like New York actually have laws that make it illegal to destroy a gun's receiver without a license!

I've spoken to ATF about this and it comes down to this. A deact in the USA must have a cut receiver. This must be cut at least four times and be cut at least 1/4-inch each time. The pieces can ONLY be reassembled if the receiver is one inch shorter. No type of ballastic plastic or other resin can hold the pieces together either, as these could essentically be rebuilding the gun and have the endurance of metal. Likewise if there is a bolt and you have the original (cut) receiver, the bolt should be welded closed. OR you can have a dummy receiver that looks like the original but is made of softer metal (such as aluminum) and has no internal parts. The gun should not be able to fire in any way or even chamber a bullet.

And please don't just read what I've said as the final word. Individual states and even cities have specific laws on non-guns, deacts, replicas, etc. Always check with local laws.

I even have a special permit for NYC for my non-firing deacts. And I've met with ATF.

[Sparky]

Don't buy a European deact, as different countries have different rules. I bought a few deacts in the last couple of years and have had some minor problems. So I have a few words of advice. First...don't buy any from eBay. They're kind of cracking down on this anyway, but the reason I recommend this is that individual sellers can claim all they want that they're following BATF rules, but at the end of the day you own it!

I bought a Sten and basically handed it in to ATF. The gun looked great but was probably a step or two too close to be able to being reconverted to fire. IMA and others have dummies, so go with an actual dealer like these rather than some guy who just bought the parts kits and rebuild it. As Bill said the receiver must be destroyed. And the other thing is some states like New York actually have laws that make it illegal to destroy a gun's receiver without a license!

I've spoken to ATF about this and it comes down to this. A deact in the USA must have a cut receiver. This must be cut at least four times and be cut at least 1/4-inch each time. The pieces can ONLY be reassembled if the receiver is one inch shorter. No type of ballastic plastic or other resin can hold the pieces together either, as these could essentically be rebuilding the gun and have the endurance of metal. Likewise if there is a bolt and you have the original (cut) receiver, the bolt should be welded closed. OR you can have a dummy receiver that looks like the original but is made of softer metal (such as aluminum) and has no internal parts. The gun should not be able to fire in any way or even chamber a bullet.

And please don't just read what I've said as the final word. Individual states and even cities have specific laws on non-guns, deacts, replicas, etc. Always check with local laws.

I even have a special permit for NYC for my non-firing deacts. And I've met with ATF.

Very good info Pete! Thanks alot for an in depth answer.

[Wanderers87]

Aye...living in NY is such a pain in the a$$ for firearms collecting...

-Gavin

[Peter_Suciu]

Aye...living in NY is such a pain in the a$$ for firearms collecting...

Yeah, just renewed my $140 theatrical permit. Has to be renewed EVERY year!

[stahlhelm1976]

Aye...living in NY is such a pain in the a$$ for firearms collecting...

-Gavin

If you think NY is bad, you should try collecting in the DPRNJ (Democratic People's Republic of New Jersey)!

Steve

[gew98]

Steve ; There is nothing about new jerky you can tell me that surprises me. I jumped the wire and moved from new jerky back in '93...and never looked back !.