No ROK M1s...thanks Obama.

[jjjxlr8]

The South Korean government, in an effort to raise money for its military, wants to sell nearly a million antique M1 rifles that were used by U.S. soldiers in the Korean War to gun collectors in America.

 

The Obama administration approved the sale of the American-made rifles last year. But it reversed course and banned the sale in March – a decision that went largely unnoticed at the time but that is now sparking opposition from gun rights advocates.

 

A State Department spokesman said the administration's decision was based on concerns that the guns could fall into the wrong hands.

 

"The transfer of such a large number of weapons -- 87,310 M1 Garands and 770,160 M1 Carbines -- could potentially be exploited by individuals seeking firearms for illicit purposes," the spokesman told FoxNews.com.

 

"We are working closely with our Korean allies and the U.S. Army in exploring alternative options to dispose of these firearms."

 

Gun control advocates praised the Obama administration for taking security seriously.

 

"Guns that can take high-capacity magazines are a threat to public safety," said Dennis Henigan of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "Even though they are old, these guns could deliver a great amount of firepower. So I think the Obama administration's concerns are well-taken."

 

But gun rights advocates point out that possessing M1 rifles is legal in the United States -- M1s are semi-automatics, not machine guns, meaning the trigger has to be pulled every time a shot is fired -- and anyone who would buy a gun from South Korea would have to go through the standard background check.

 

"Any guns that retail in the United States, of course, including these, can only be sold to someone who passes the National Instant Check System," said David Kopel, research director at the conservative Independence Institute. "There is no greater risk from these particular guns than there is from any other guns sold in the United States."

 

M1 carbines can hold high-capacity ammunition clips that allow dozens of rounds to be fired before re-loading, but Chris Cox, chief lobbyist for the National Rifle Association, noted that is true about any gun in which an ammunition magazine can be inserted -- including most semi-automatics.

 

"Anything that accepts an external magazine could accept a larger capacity magazine," Cox said.

 

"But the average number of rounds fired in the commission of a crime is somewhere between 1 and 2 … this issue just shows how little the administration understands about guns."

 

He called the administration's decision "a de facto gun ban, courtesy of Hillary Clinton's State Department."

 

Asked why the M1s pose a threat, the State Department spokesman referred questions to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. ATF representatives said they would look into the question Monday afternoon, but on Wednesday they referred questions to the Justice Department. DOJ spokesman Dean Boyd referred questions back to the State Department.

 

According to the ATF Guidebook on Firearms Importation, it would normally be legal to import the M1s because they are more than 50 years old, meaning they qualify as "curios or relics." But because the guns were given to South Korea by the U.S. government, they fall under a special category that requires permission from the State Department before any sale.

 

Kopel said that he hopes the State Department spokesman's statement that it is working to "dispose" of the guns does not mean they want to melt them down.

 

"It seems to have this implication of destruction, which would be tremendously wasteful," he said. "These are guns that should be in the hands of American citizens for marksmanship and safety training."

 

Asked whether melting the guns down would be a good option, Henigan said: "Why let them into the country in the first place? If there is a legally sufficient way to keep them out, we think it's perfectly reasonable to do so."

 

Past administrations have also grappled with the issue of large-scale gun imports.

 

The Clinton administration blocked sales of M1s and other antiquated military weapons from the Philippines, Turkey and Pakistan. It also ended the practice of reselling used guns owned by federal agencies, ordering that they be melted down instead.

 

In contrast, 200,000 M1 rifles from South Korea were allowed to be sold in the U.S. under the Reagan administration in 1987.

 

A decision like that would be better for everyone, Cox said.

 

"M1s are used for target practice. For history buffs, they're highly collectible. We're going to continue to make sure that this backdoor effort that infringes not only on lawful commerce but on the Second Amendment is rectified."

 

Henigan disagrees.

 

"They clearly were used as military guns, and the fact that they likely can take high-capacity magazines makes them a special safety concern," he said.

 

The White House referred questions on the issue to the Pentagon, which referred questions to the U.S. Embassy in South Korea, which deferred back to the State Department.

[cinergi]

And so it begins... The Obama administration bars collectors from aquiring antique rifles. Forget gun free zones, we would like a Pelosi and Obama free zone. Who else would "like" this?Obama Administration Reverses Course, Forbids Sale of 850,000 Antique Rifleswww.foxnews.comThe Obama administration approved the sale of the American-made rifles to South Korea last year. But it reversed course and banned the sale in March -- a decision that went largely unnoticed at the time but that is now sparking opposition from gun rights advocates.

[cinergi]

http://www.foxnews.com%2Fpolitics%2F2010%2F09%2F01%2Fobama-administration-reverses-course-forbids-sale-antique-m-rifles%2F&h=c6097

[V8 Beast]

So it begins.. no.. it began last year.

 

I'm suprised the complainers took this long to notice... When we all die due to not having enough guns when the zombies attack you will all wish you voted republican!!!!

 

 

On a side note those guns would be pretty cool collector items.

[Guest 614Streets]

When are the aliens coming to fight us? I wonder what sex with the aliens will be like?

[Scotty2Hotty]

An M1 Carbine is far from a weapon capable of a large magazine capacity. Not to mention, and M1 Garand!? These people are fucking beyond stupid. These are C&R collector firearms, not to mention the Camp Perry guys would have a hay day over some of them. I think if the US Army were smart, it would "dispose" them to the CMP up at Perry Thank God I'm stocking up right now, I can see things getting worse.

[unfunnyryan]

When are the aliens coming to fight us? I wonder what sex with the aliens will be like?

 

It will blow your mind more than .44 magnum would.

[Scotty2Hotty]

I'd like to get an official deffinition of "High-Capacity magazines" or "Ammunition clips" as the democrats like to say. I guess 15 rounds is pretty scary of .30cal pistol ammo. Or an 8-round box mag of 30-06 will kill thousands of people in their eyes. If these folks bothered to educate themselves, they would have no soapbox to stand on. I hope those that work for the Brady Campaign cathces fire aswell. If they wanted to truly help stop violence with firearms, they would join sides with the NRA.

 

Can't wait for Ted Nuggent to be president

[Skinner]

if they did sell them here wouldn't the price for them drop like a rock?

[Drewhop]

Mother fucker.

[Scotty2Hotty]

if they did sell them here wouldn't the price for them drop like a rock?

 

Probably not, even though there's a good number of them.

[unfunnyryan]

if they did sell them here wouldn't the price for them drop like a rock?

 

Price may not drop significantly but you can bet a lot of manufacturers would lose business.

[CRed05]

Dumb.

 

So I'm curious, if they want to sell these weapons to raise money, and they can't find a buyer in the US, they will sell them to someone because they need money...probably end up in the hands of some terrorist.

[jjjxlr8]

This certainly is NOT about stopping gun violence. Not even these folks could be that stupid. Could they?

[Drewhop]

This certainly is NOT about stopping gun violence. Not even these folks could be that stupid. Could they?

 

Yes.

[RyM3rC]

Price may not drop significantly but you can bet a lot of manufacturers would lose business.

 

I doubt that. Most of the people that buy these from CMP are buying them as 2nd, 3rd, or 50th+ plus firearms. They're collected, and it's not unusual for CMP buyers to have literally racks of garands/carbines. They don't make them new anymore, so the only place to get them is used.

 

This is very sad. Unfortunately, that's the kind of fail-logic we voted into office. Good job America.

[Scotty2Hotty]

I doubt that. Most of the people that buy these from CMP are buying them as 2nd, 3rd, or 50th+ plus firearms. They're collected, and it's not unusual for CMP buyers to have literally racks of garands/carbines. They don't make them new anymore, so the only place to get them is used.

 

This is very sad. Unfortunately, that's the kind of fail-logic we voted into office. Good job America.

 

Auto Ordanance is still making the M1 Carbines, and I believe Springfield had a run of Garands a while back. But you are correct, these aren't AK47's nor any cheap high capacity "assault" style weapons. An M1 Garand is a damn battle rifle, plain and simple. It's effectiveness went out the door back in the 1950's, along with the M1 Carbine when the M14 was introduced. I guess if we had muskets for sale from the Civil War stored away someplace, they'd ban those too for the same reasons. What sucks is that the public is just now hearing about this. Kinda scares me to think what else these clowns have in store to ruin the 2nd Amendment.

[twistedfocus1647545489]

Uh, everyone knows that gangbangers are all bout doing drive-bys with low capacity collectibles like the M1 Garand.

 

I remember many nights in the ghetto lying awake, listening to the gunfire on my block...

Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang,Ting!

[jeffro]

Uh, everyone knows that gangbangers are all bout doing drive-bys with low capacity collectibles like the M1 Garand.

 

I remember many nights in the ghetto lying awake, listening to the gunfire on my block...

Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang,Ting!

 

LOL

 

Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang,Ting! HEY IM OVER HERE!!!! AND OUT OF BUWETS!

[cinergi]

So it begins.. no.. it began last year.

 

I'm suprised the complainers took this long to notice... When we all die due to not having enough guns when the zombies attack you will all wish you voted republican!!!!

 

 

On a side note those guns would be pretty cool collector items.

 

It DID technically begin last year... technically it's been in design for a long, long time... but it finally came to fruition. I've been eyeballing it for awhile, but this is their actual first "move".

 

People who wished they had guns now should have bought a long, long time ago. If you're just now trying to start a collection you are WAY behind the curve... and plenty of adequate notice was given.

[cinergi]

An M1 Carbine is far from a weapon capable of a large magazine capacity. Not to mention, and M1 Garand!? These people are fucking beyond stupid. These are C&R collector firearms, not to mention the Camp Perry guys would have a hay day over some of them. I think if the US Army were smart, it would "dispose" them to the CMP up at Perry Thank God I'm stocking up right now, I can see things getting worse.

 

They fear a heavy round, long range capability or something that has the ability to fire many, many rounds... Well, to them anyway.

 

I agree, the things that an M1G can do in the hands of the right shooter would negate having to need a hi-cap. But there are undoubtedly reasons to have those as well. It's just a rights infringement... They have to begin somewhere... this administration, anyway.

[cinergi]

Auto Ordanance is still making the M1 Carbines, and I believe Springfield had a run of Garands a while back. But you are correct, these aren't AK47's nor any cheap high capacity "assault" style weapons. An M1 Garand is a damn battle rifle, plain and simple. It's effectiveness went out the door back in the 1950's, along with the M1 Carbine when the M14 was introduced. I guess if we had muskets for sale from the Civil War stored away someplace, they'd ban those too for the same reasons. What sucks is that the public is just now hearing about this. Kinda scares me to think what else these clowns have in store to ruin the 2nd Amendment.

 

Now, this is one of the greatest arguments of all time for gun advocates.

The two greatest American Battle Rifles of all time, the M1A (M14) vs M1G. We could argue and argue about this. Both have the ability to do what needs to be done. One of the main reasons the M1G was taken out of service is because of the inability to hold the capacity that everyone wanted.

 

Anyone who has shot a match grade or modified to proper levels M1G next to even a national match M1A would be very surprised at the possibilities. It mostly comes down to what that shooter prefers. M1A fits me better, but I sure do like that 30-06 round!

[cinergi]

if they did sell them here wouldn't the price for them drop like a rock?

 

Dumb.

 

So I'm curious, if they want to sell these weapons to raise money, and they can't find a buyer in the US, they will sell them to someone because they need money...probably end up in the hands of some terrorist.

 

You better believe when there isn't a buyer in the US, they do go somewhere. Usually not to places we like to hear about them going to. Mexico would probably be in the top five destinations right now... as well as the usual suspects. More than likely a broker would step in and make that transaction occur. I highly doubt any of the retailers of these are willingly going to sell to the places that really want them. That would just be bad for business, not to mention legal issues. I think the FFL's would step far away from that, but there have been shady transactions in the past.

[cinergi]

Will I get 5?

[Rob1647545496]

Uh, everyone knows that gangbangers are all bout doing drive-bys with low capacity collectibles like the M1 Garand.

 

I remember many nights in the ghetto lying awake, listening to the gunfire on my block...

Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang, Bang,Ting!

 

LMAO