SB 281 Question for the Smart Guys

[Kevp]

I understand that the bill is not in final form, and transport seems to be open to interpretation from what I've read. My question is this:

How does this legislation impact NFA Registry weapons? I am specifically referring to SBRs and machineguns, particularly of the AR variety, since they are all Bushmasters in their eyes. LOL

This may be a good point to get across to some of the friendly elements in the Senate. Good citizens have been legally transporting registered machineguns for years. I've never heard of any issues. Thoughts?

 

[teratos]

It doesn't affect machine guns. The transport of SBR's etc. seems to be in question. There is no stipulation for the transport of "assault weapons" (which are semi-automatic, in their eyes). I imagine a SBR would fall under that category. Frosh said in last weeks debate that transport was understood. I don't think we can trust his word, personally.

 

[trickg]

This is just my interpretation, but it restricts magazines on any NFA semi-auto, as well bans any NFA firearm that has any of the cosmetic features that are part of the ban, such as a vertical foregrip, (Thompson SMG) and I would tend to think that it also kills off suppressors due to the fact that you need a threaded barrel (banned) and by their nature, suppressors are also flash hiders. (banned)

 

[Kevp]

Okay, so you just made my point. It's ok to transport machineguns, but not semi-autos. Need I say more? Did these people ever make it out of grade school?

 

[teratos]

There is no magazine possession restriction. It is the same BS we have now, except you can't buy, transfer, sell more than a 10 round mag in MD. You can still go to PA and buy a 100 round drum.

The law specifically states "semi-auto" when addressing "assault weapons". If you have a machine gun, you are GTG.

 

[trickg]

Okay, so you just made my point. It's ok to transport machineguns, but not semi-autos. Need I say more? Did these people ever make it out of grade school?

I don't think so - most machine guns have the dreaded scary features that are on the ban list, so I'd tend to think that it would roll up the machine guns too.

 

[teratos]

I don't think so - most machine guns have the dreaded scary features that are on the ban list, so I'd tend to think that it would roll up the machine guns too.

This bill only applies to semi-auto. It does NOT apply to machine guns.

 

[IndispensableDestiny]

This bill only applies to semi-auto. It does NOT apply to machine guns.

I need to save up my dinero and buy a machine gun then.

 

[teratos]

It's ironic that the "assault weapons ban" leaves assault weapons alone. I too will be saving for a machine gun. I was planning on buying this Spring, but have found myself needing to allocate those funds to AR lowers, handguns and threaded barrels.

 

[2AHokie]

A SEMIAUTOMATIC CENTERFIRE RIFLE THAT HAS AN OVERALL LENGTH OF LESS THAN 30 INCHES (line 15, page 6 of the text pdf)

http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/2013RS/bills/sb/sb0281f.pdf

This might catch some SBRs that are semi-auto, but it would effect the sale of new ones and not the transportation of the ones you already have.

 

[mtb]

This bill only applies to semi-auto. It does NOT apply to machine guns.

If your machine gun is select-fire capable (meaning it has a semi-auto option on the selector) then would it not also be covered under the restrictions?

Most of the machine guns I have seen have "safe, semi, full" or some variation of that on their selector switches.

Ken

 

[teratos]

If your machine gun is select-fire capable (meaning it has a semi-auto option on the selector) then would it not also be covered under the restrictions?

Most of the machine guns I have seen have "safe, semi, full" or some variation of that on their selector switches.

Ken

No. It is still a machine gun. That is like trying to say you don't own a machine gun because you have never flipped the switch to "full" when you have been at the range.

 

[jonnyl]

I don't see anything that restricts transport within Maryland. If we ask them to put in a list of the things we're "allowed" to do prepare for them to leave out "discharge". I'd be much more concerned obviously if it said "continue to possess in your home".

 

[teratos]

I don't see anything that restricts transport within Maryland. If we ask them to put in a list of the things we're "allowed" to do prepare for them to leave out "discharge". I'd be much more concerned obviously if it said "continue to possess in your home".

We need to see something that says you are allowed to transport. We also need something that says we can take our already registered guns out of State an bring them back in.

 

[MigraineMan]

The law specifically states "semi-auto" when addressing "assault weapons". If you have a machine gun, you are GTG.

I'm not so sure. Were I the prosecutor for the opposing team, I would take that select-fire M-16, which BATFE classifies as a Machine Gun, and I would put it in "semi-automatic" mode, then demonstrate for the jury that it meets the "semi-automatic centerfire rifle" criteria in SB281. 281 doesn't explicitly exclude full-auto centerfire rifles from the copycat section.

So make sure your machine gun only fires in full-auto mode. Alternatively, let's kill this bill before they beat us over the head with it.

 

[jonnyl]

We need to see something that says you are allowed to transport. We also need something that says we can take our already registered guns out of State an bring them back in.

I agree on the out of state issue. But regarding in-state, I don't see anything that restricts transporting rifles of any sort. I just worry that starting to list the "allowable" actions is likely to lead to unintended consequences. Similar to the current transport law that means I can't legally transport my pistol under Maryland law to Virginia for the purpose of self defense (with my Utah permit). I'm forced to always have an informal target shoot planned

It's definitely a horribly written law, and like most of the current laws in MD it's obviously written by folks who have no idea what they're talking about.

Best to get it killed outright...

 

[teratos]

I'm not so sure. Were I the prosecutor for the opposing team, I would take that select-fire M-16, which BATFE classifies as a Machine Gun, and I would put it in "semi-automatic" mode, then demonstrate for the jury that it meets the "semi-automatic centerfire rifle" criteria in SB281. 281 doesn't explicitly exclude full-auto centerfire rifles from the copycat section.

So make sure your machine gun only fires in full-auto mode. Alternatively, let's kill this bill before they beat us over the head with it.

It specifically says "semi-auto". A gun identified as "semi-auto" by convention is not a gun with "full auto" capability.

 

[Bob A]

This whole thing is getting pricey. Until last summer I had no need for an EBR; as the Second Coming of Obama drew nigh, I found that I had to buy two. And a lower. And travel to get the evil 30 round magazines.

I hope they stop banning stuff soon; I can't afford much more Forbidden Fruit. Machine guns, my poor bank account. I can barely afford the ammunition.

 

[MigraineMan]

Yes, I know, but I doubt a jury of my peers would have the same insight. You must admit that demonstrating a semi-auto operating mode would be a compelling argument, yes?

Like I said, were I on the opposing team, I think this would be a competely valid opportunity to pursue. (I used to be employed running red-team exercises, and this is exactly the kind of interpretable ambiguity we used to exploit.)

 

[teratos]

Yes, I know, but I doubt a jury of my peers would have the same insight. You must admit that demonstrating a semi-auto operating mode would be a compelling argument, yes?

Like I said, were I on the opposing team, I think this would be a competely valid opportunity to pursue. (I used to be employed running red-team exercises, and this is exactly the kind of interpretable ambiguity we used to exploit.)

Show me your semi auto operating as a machine gun. The gun is REGISTERED AS A MACHINE GUN.