This is the original MP44/StG44 from WWII. It fired a 7.92x39mm, or 8×33 Kurz, round that was a smaller version of the German 8×57, or 8mm Mauser. The Kalashnikov, or AK-47, fires a 7.62×39 cartridge, which is a smaller version of the 7.62×54 Russian. Many consider the StG44 the original assault rifle. Realistically it arrived too late in WWII to make a difference in the failed Nazi war effort.
Members of the House and Senate introcued a bill to give people the opportunity to register machine guns and assault rifles their grandpa brought back from either WWII or Korea.
Known as the Veterans Heritage Firearms Act, the bill would create a 180-day grace period for veterans and their family members to register firearms seized overseas before Oct. 31, 1968 without fear of prosecution.
“Our World War II and Korean War Veterans risked their lives in foreign lands in defense of our freedoms. These firearms represent the sacrifices they made in the name of duty and are often treasured keepsakes,” said Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas), one of the sponsors.
“We should do everything we can to make sure they stay that way,” he continued. “This bill would protect veterans and help preserve these historical artifacts.”
It wasn’t uncommon for servicemen to lawfully obtain firearms overseas but not have the paperwork to certify the purchase. Consequently, when Uncle Sam started cracking the whip with the the Gun Control Act in 1968, no paperwork meant no registration. Failures to register these guns under the National Firearms Act makes them unlawfully possessed.
While Congress did offer a similar grace period for registration in 1968, it is believed that many veterans either missed the deadline, refused to register or, as mentioned, didn’t have the required paperwork.
See Also: This Meme Shows Just How Foolish the NFA Really Is
“I am proud to sponsor the Veterans Heritage Firearms Act, legislation that would allow World War II and Korean War veterans to register their firearms obtained overseas,” said Congressman Phil Roe (R-Tennessee).
“Giving these heroes the opportunity to register their antique firearms will allow families to preserve these historical artifacts as an important part of their family heritage,” he added.
No doubt that plenty of the brave people who served brought back hardware used overseas during World War II and Korea. Why shouldn’t we give them and their families the opportunity to make things right in the eyes of the law?
Actually, better yet, why don’t we just repeal the stupid law GCA and NFA? Who’s with me?
Either way, we’ll keep you posted on the progress of the Veterans Heritage Firearms Act.
They should give amnesty for 90 days to register any class 3 weapon
I sold my father’s 12 WWll machine guns when I enrolled in the Peace Corps for Afghanistan in 1970. It was to an auto parts junkyard that was phone tapped by the FBI. I got a year and a day. Now I’m 71 can I get it expunged?
Repealing the NFA. GCA, etc. would be the best route. Otherwise, eventually, there will be some people who attempt to register vet bring back NFA class weapons, only to be denied for some reason, followed up by several ATF agents showing up at their door and seizing the firearms anyway so they can be destroyed. I’d really NOT enjoy seeing Grandma charged with a Felony and go to jail for possession of, now deceased, Grandpa’s vet bring back firearms.
I have a friend who was in Central America during Reagan and brought home a South American creation. That should be allowed too.
This is a great idea, but that time period of 1968?
That puts it smack dab in the middle of the Vietnam War too!
So it mentions WW2 and Korea, but what about Vietnam Vets too?
Pointless.
The vast majority of WW2 and Korean War veterans are now deceased. How many of these people are still harboring Title II firearms?
I’m with the writer; just shit can the whole disgusting mess of NFA, GCA and any other anti-2nd Amendment legislation.
Part of the unlimited disgrace of Bush 41 (of ‘read my lips’ fame) was to prohibit service members from bringing back captured weapons in Iraq, a shameful ruling that remains in effect to this day.
The legislation should be amended to permanently codify that service members can bring back captured weapons that would be legal for them to own in the US.
Just another attempt via government to locate “NFA” class weapons. Folks, “Hold’em”, don’t “Show’em”, with the BATFE’s “New” hoops for individual’s “NFA Trust”, it will make it far harder to pass an item on to a family member (or any other person) without government’s intrusion….
I agree wholeheartedly about repealing the NFA and GCA, the two greatest infringements on our 2nd Amendment rights. I can’t imagine any veterans being foolish enough to register these valuable heirlooms. Simple possession of these “machine guns” makes the owners felons under the NFA, and various state laws. The Supreme Court decision in Haynes v. United States, 390 U.S. 85 (1968) says that requiring registration of such arms is a violation of the 5th Amendment right against self-incrimination.
The ’68 GCA requires regular amnesty periods already – the ATF just ignores the requirement.
In 1968 the GCA stated any firearm made before 1898 was an antique. That was a 70 year old rule. By keeping the C&R rule and licensing requirements they have never moved this date forward. This date should be adjusted yearly to state that all firearms that are 70 years old are antique and be removed from regulations of the GCA. That sounds better, huh? All WW2 firearms would be antiques…
3 Cheers, BUT the bill should also include weapons brought home by Viet Nam vets!!! Or to say it another way anything before 1976!
In actual fact the bill should include Everything brought back prior to the signing/effective date of the bill. Example: the bill is signed on 13 July 17. Everything possesed up to that date should be open for registration – at NO cost, just like the 68 amnesty bill!
Sarge
I agree Sarge What about the Viet Nam vets and the vets of Iraq and Afghanistan