YES, YOU CAN LEGALLY OWN A MACHINE GUN
Machine gun ownership in the U.S. is federally legal, but only for fully transferable models manufactured and registered before May 19, 1986.
As of 2024 there are 782,958 registered machine guns in the U.S.
📍 States with the Most Registered Machine Guns (2024)
- Florida: 46,811
- Texas: 50,170
- New Jersey: 52,312
- Virginia: 46,392
- Georgia: 50,188
- Connecticut: 40,642
- Illinois: 27,925
- California: 26,335 (no new MG transfers allowed)
- Alabama: 40,734
There are 782,958 legally registered machine guns in the USA.
✅ States Where Private Machine Gun Ownership Is Legal
Residents in the following states may legally own fully transferable machine guns (always verify local laws):
AL, AR, AK, AZ, CT, FL, GA, HI, ID, IN, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MO, MS, MT, ND, NE, NJ, NV, NH, NM, NC, OH, OK, OR, PA, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, VT, WV, WY.
Prohibited states include: CA, CO, DE, IL, IA, MN, NY, RI, WA, WI, DC.
🔫 Three Legal Categories of Machine Guns
- Transferable: Registered before May 19, 1986—legal for private ownership.
- Pre‑May Dealer Samples: Registered between 1968 and May 1986—dealer-only ownership (can be retained after license termination).
- Post‑May Dealer Samples: Registered after May 1986—dealer/manufacturer/military-only.
✅ Requirements to Buy a Machine Gun
- 21+ to purchase from a dealer
- 18+ for Form 4 transfers if allowed by your state
- U.S. residency in a permitted state
- No felony convictions or disqualifying history
- Pay a one-time $200 NFA tax stamp
- Clear a BATFE background check (approval takes 4–60 days for Form 3; longer for Form 4)
📜 Your Rights:
Owning a machine gun does not waive your privacy or rights. Contrary to myths, you won’t trigger BATFE visits solely for ownership. Privacy is protected under federal tax and privacy laws.
⏳ Transfer & Wait Times
NFA approval times vary due to high demand (BATFE processed ~2.4 million forms in 2020). Expect 4 to 90 days for Form 4 transfers—dealer-to-dealer can be much faster.
🔧 How to Own One — Step by Step
In Michigan:
- We help you find and buy a pre‑1986 MG.
- We transfer it to us, submit Form 4 and the $200 tax, plus your fingerprints/photo.
- We notify the ATF (CLEO notification optional under e‑file).
- Once approved, you pick it up using Form 4473—without another background check.
Out-of-State:
- You find the MG; we transfer it to a Class III dealer in your state.
- They submit Form 4 and we assist with paperwork.
- Pickup is handled by your dealer after approval.
🧭 Ownership Options: Individual, Trust, or Corporation
- Individual: Simple, affordable—but strict personal access rules.
- Trust: Best value and flexibility—allows multiple users and generational transfer without extra tax.
- Corporation: Similar to trust, but with higher costs—requires corporate structure upkeep.
(Consult a qualified attorney for legal advice.)
🚫 Don’t Delay!
The NFA market is limited. Delaying may mean missing out—or paying much more later. If you’ve always wanted a legal machine gun, start the process now.
🧭 Need Help?
Let us guide you in locating and transferring a fully transferable machine gun.
Remember, laws can change—consult local statutes before purchasing.
WE BUY AND SELL MACHINE GUNS
