Can This Be Thompson Registered - The Firearms Forum

345 desoto · 01-18-2008, 07:13 AM

My father passed away almost two years ago, and we wound up with a locked trunk from his basement. This year I broke it open, and among other things found was a Thompson machine gun. All the stuff was from WW II...he was a Marine Corp Vet. My question is can this be legally registered, or do I have to dump it in the Lake? I do NOT want to spend my few remaining years in Federal Prison, or sell everything I own to pay a Fine...

AL MOUNT · 01-18-2008, 08:00 AM

Don't take my comment as gospel but wait for others opinions.

My fear is, since it wasn't registered in 1968, last date for amnesity,

it now can't be registered, I hope I am wrong.

I would take it to a gun dealer you know or an FFL holder.

He could contact the BATF&E and notify them and verify for sure, if you can legally register it.

I'm afarid they will tell him & you

"NO....we will send an agent to pick it up to be destroyed"

yea right.....

.....likely end up in somebody's private collection...

AngelDeville · 01-18-2008, 08:56 AM

I would love to have such a dilema! Proceed carefully, I'd find a firearms dealer that deals in class 3's and follow their advice.

Even if the dealer is out of state they should be well versed in the Federal laws and point you in the right direction.

Bill DeShivs · 01-18-2008, 01:19 PM

The gun can't be registered now. It wil be considered contraband.

pickenup · 01-18-2008, 01:23 PM

I am sorry to say, that just by posting this information here, the jack-booted-thugs may be on their way to your door, as we type.

This is NOT an uncommon problem. It was OK for vets to bring back war trophies, prior to 1968. 1986 (I believe) was the last year that an amnesty was announced, allowing for these war trophies to be registered. NOT all of them registered their war trophies. Hmmmmm.....wonder why? Many soldiers are getting to that age, as your father did, which leaves these problems to be solved by a younger (your) generation.

Interestingly enough, each year, for the last few years. Legislation has been introduced that would solve this dilemma. You can google the phrase,
"Veterans' Heritage Firearms Act of" and see what the bill consists of. (basically, it would allow another amnesty)

Similar legislation has been introduced going back quite a few years. BUT, none of it ever passes.

Unless it has been previously registered.
It leaves us today with this....from the BATF site.

Quote:

(M7) May a private citizen who owns an NFA firearm which is not registered have the firearm registered?

No. The NFA permits only manufacturers, makers, and importers to register firearms. Mere possessors may not register firearms. An unregistered NFA firearm is a contraband firearm, and it is unlawful to possess the weapon. The possessor should contact the nearest ATF office to arrange for its disposition.

(M8) What can happen to someone who has an NFA firearm which is not registered to him?

Violators may be fined not more than $250,000, and imprisoned not more than 10 years, or both. In addition, any vessel, vehicle or aircraft used to transport, conceal or possess an unregistered NFA firearm is subject to seizure and forfeiture, as is the weapon itself.

(M9) What should a person do if he or she comes into possession of an unregistered NFA firearm?

Contact the nearest ATF office immediately.

Since you came here looking for information.
This is the obligatory "legal" jargon I feel was necessary.

I will not put in print, what I would do personally.

AL MOUNT · 01-19-2008, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pickenup

I will not put in print, what I would do personally.

Me thinks.....we thinks..... alike.....

CanuckPete · 01-20-2008, 01:38 PM

In my case: Thompson? what Thompson?

Alpo · 01-21-2008, 12:18 PM

I suggest you look real hard for paperwork. Maybe he registered it. If so, it can be legally transferred to his heir, at no cost. The only time there ain't a charge to transfer NFA stuff.

southernshooter · 01-21-2008, 08:39 PM

If it for sure ain't registered. I would destroy the reciever and sell the parts, everything but the destroyed receiver. Or you can buy a dummy receiver and put all the parts onto it. The amnesty for machine gun/war trophys is long since over. Also I gotta ask is it full-auto or semi-auto. If it is semi their is no registering to do unless you are in a retricted state

Bill DeShivs · 01-21-2008, 09:45 PM

The original 1927 semiautomatic Thompson is still an NFA weapon.
If the gun is a modern 1927 semi the barrel will be 16+ inches long.

southernshooter · 01-22-2008, 04:41 AM

He could still register a SBR. Their is no cut off date in them

Deputy Dawg · 01-22-2008, 05:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CanuckPete

In my case: Thompson? what Thompson?

I concure.

Bill DeShivs · 01-22-2008, 08:54 PM

No, an existing SBR can not be registered-but you can MAKE a new SBR.
The original semi 1927s are still considered machineguns by ATF because of the ease of conversion to full auto.

southernshooter · 01-23-2008, 05:30 AM

Bill getting away with the SBR part of it would be as easy as taking the barrel off while the SBR paperwork is pending.

Alpo · 01-23-2008, 01:13 PM

No, not according to the folks over at the Tommygun forum. What Colt did was take a 21 (which is full auto) and add some more parts to it to make it semi. All that is required to make it full is to remove the semi parts. So all 27s (and we are talkin' the real Colt 1927s here, not the 16 inch barreled West Hurley or Kahr reproductions) are registered as machineguns. If you were to find a real 27, you could not register it since it would have to be registered as a MG, and you can't do that since May of 86.

bizy · 01-07-2009, 10:09 AM

If it was me, and it ain't, but if it was me, I would stick it in the corner and save it for a rainy day.

Since it was found in a locked trunk of your dads, I would use the stuped excuse, "Oh man... I didn't know"... You can remove the firing pin and say it is a replica.

Good luck with your findings.
"God bless all."

CampingJosh · 01-07-2009, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bizy

Since it was found in a locked trunk of your dads, I would use the stuped excuse, "Oh man... I didn't know"... You can remove the firing pin and say it is a replica.

This isn't going to fly with any court. If a person chooses to break the law, then he must be prepared for whatever comes from that.

Ending registration amnesty seems to me like the kind of regulation that could be beaten in court, but I'm certainly no lawyer, so I wouldn't bet 10 years in prison on that.

The legal thing to do is turn it in for destruction. I really can't tell you what I would do with it, not being in the situation. Perhaps I would export it to a place where I could keep (and use) it freely.

gdmoody · 01-13-2009, 12:51 PM

I would stick it back in the trunk, put in a far corner of my attic and never, NEVER, mention it again - to anyone.

Mosin_Nagant_Fan · 01-13-2009, 02:44 PM

You could have a Class3 convert it to a SBR if you like originality or replace the barrel with a 16" barrel if you want to skip the tax stamp, either way you will need to change the bolt and trigger system to make it closed bolt with a floating pin. You may spend as much as it would with a brand new one. They'll also have to put a new S/N because the original S/N may come up as the SMG. If you want a Thomson, it would be easier to buy a new Kahr-Arms Thomson.

Bill DeShivs · 01-14-2009, 12:58 PM

A machinegun receiver can not legally be changed to a semi-auto. It would still be considered a machinegun. Plus- the parts won't interchange. Changing serial numbers is a felony.

Mosin_Nagant_Fan · 01-14-2009, 03:38 PM

Well, there you go, either lose the gun or pull it apart and save the parts for a wall hanger display. You could just bring the receiver to a Class3 dealer and have him check and if it comes up negative then you still have the parts to make a dummy.

InfiniteArms · 01-22-2009, 02:15 PM

No dealer with any smarts would want this anywhere near them or there shop.

If it is not registered then it is an illegal machine gun and contraband for anyone to posses except LE/GOV.

Options:
1) Contact a NFA experiences lawyer (Not uncle Kenny or the guy that did your house closing) and they can contact the ATF on your behalf and see if the serial number is in the registry.

2) Contact the chief of a local FRIENDLY police department who you know to see if they would like the gun for there officers (and possibly you) to play with.

3) Strip the gun and destroy the serialized receiver. Parts kits are worth $600+ and can be sold on the open market without the receiver.

4) Contact an accredited museum. There are stories (stories because they are unconfirmed to me) that they can register and posses illegal MGs.

5) Contact an experienced NFA lawyer and see if there is any truth to the story that an MG owned by GI who was in active service during the '68 amnesty can still be registered.

It is worth investing time and some money to take the proper steps to investigate these options to avoid jail time and possible end up with a live collectable Thompson worth $20k+.

Others are correct about not being legal to convert it to a SBR because the receiver will always be a machine gun and that the Semi Auto Thompsons have significant changes to not work with full auto parts.

BobR. · 01-27-2009, 06:42 PM

I sure hope that you don't have any visitors to see your M/G after you told the whole world what you own. Prudence should be practiced, public forums are not the place to discuss such inquires.

medalguy · 09-22-2009, 08:59 PM

Under no circumstances can an individual register a not previously registered MG. I would probably (probably) pull everything off the gun, including the barrel, and turn in the stripped receiver to your attorney who could then call ATF, keeping you out of the equation. The parts kits, as mentioned, go for $600 - $1000 today.

Good luck with your unwinnable problem.

What a waste!

glassmountains · 09-26-2009, 10:12 AM

1968 was the year they had an Amnesty. In 1986 they passed the Firearms Owner Protection Act which outlawed the manufacture of full auto weapons that could be sold to individuals. THANK YOU NRA.

ATF may allow this Thompson to be registered, they have done it in the past. Desoto, Please PM me for contact info on who to talk to.

01-18-2008, 07:13 AM	#1
345 desoto Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1	Can This Be Thompson Registered My father passed away almost two years ago, and we wound up with a locked trunk from his basement. This year I broke it open, and among other things found was a Thompson machine gun. All the stuff was from WW II...he was a Marine Corp Vet. My question is can this be legally registered, or do I have to dump it in the Lake? I do NOT want to spend my few remaining years in Federal Prison, or sell everything I own to pay a Fine... -->

01-18-2008, 08:00 AM	#2
AL MOUNT Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Cleaning my Thompson in The Foothills of the Ozark Mountains Posts: 3,134	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered Don't take my comment as gospel but wait for others opinions. My fear is, since it wasn't registered in 1968, last date for amnesity, it now *can't be registered, I hope I am wrong. I would take it to a gun dealer you know or an FFL holder. He could contact the BATF&E and notify them and verify for sure, if you can legally register it. I'm afarid they will tell him & you "NO....we will send an agent to pick it up to be destroyed"* yea right..........likely end up in somebody's private collection... __________________ 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment 101st Airborne Division Vietnam 67-68

01-18-2008, 08:56 AM	#3
AngelDeville Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: ABQ Posts: 644	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered I would love to have such a dilema! Proceed carefully, I'd find a firearms dealer that deals in class 3's and follow their advice. Even if the dealer is out of state they should be well versed in the Federal laws and point you in the right direction. __________________ Why don't guns go off "accidentally" when people aren't around?

01-18-2008, 01:19 PM	#4
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,478	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered The gun can't be registered now. It wil be considered contraband. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

01-20-2008, 01:38 PM	#7
CanuckPete V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Québec, Canada Posts: 101	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered In my case: Thompson? what Thompson?

01-21-2008, 12:18 PM	#8
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered I suggest you look real hard for paperwork. Maybe he registered it. If so, it can be legally transferred to his heir, at no cost. The only time there ain't a charge to transfer NFA stuff.

01-21-2008, 08:39 PM	#9
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered If it for sure ain't registered. I would destroy the reciever and sell the parts, everything but the destroyed receiver. Or you can buy a dummy receiver and put all the parts onto it. The amnesty for machine gun/war trophys is long since over. Also I gotta ask is it full-auto or semi-auto. If it is semi their is no registering to do unless you are in a retricted state __________________ Only you can see this Last edited by southernshooter; 01-21-2008 at 08:40 PM..

01-21-2008, 09:45 PM	#10
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,478	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered The original 1927 semiautomatic Thompson is still an NFA weapon. If the gun is a modern 1927 semi the barrel will be 16+ inches long. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

01-22-2008, 04:41 AM	#11
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered He could still register a SBR. Their is no cut off date in them __________________ Only you can see this

01-22-2008, 08:54 PM	#13
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,478	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered No, an existing SBR can not be registered-but you can MAKE a new SBR. The original semi 1927s are still considered machineguns by ATF because of the ease of conversion to full auto. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

01-23-2008, 05:30 AM	#14
southernshooter Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Deep South Mississippi Posts: 5,943	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered Bill getting away with the SBR part of it would be as easy as taking the barrel off while the SBR paperwork is pending. __________________ Only you can see this

01-23-2008, 01:13 PM	#15
Alpo Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: NW Florida Posts: 8,772	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered No, not according to the folks over at the Tommygun forum. What Colt did was take a 21 (which is full auto) and add some more parts to it to make it semi. All that is required to make it full is to remove the semi parts. So all 27s (and we are talkin' the real Colt 1927s here, not the 16 inch barreled West Hurley or Kahr reproductions) are registered as machineguns. If you were to find a real 27, you could not register it since it would have to be registered as a MG, and you can't do that since May of 86.

01-07-2009, 10:09 AM	#16
bizy V.I.P. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Marlow, Ok Posts: 344	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered If it was me, and it ain't, but if it was me, I would stick it in the corner and save it for a rainy day. Since it was found in a locked trunk of your dads, I would use the stuped excuse, "Oh man... I didn't know"... You can remove the firing pin and say it is a replica. Good luck with your findings. "God bless all."

01-13-2009, 12:51 PM	#18
gdmoody Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Northeast Georgia Contributor Posts: 6,407	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered I would stick it back in the trunk, put in a far corner of my attic and never, NEVER, mention it again - to anyone. __________________ NRA Endowment Member GeorgiaCarry.Org Member Retired US Army Postal Worker Personally, I carry a gun because I'm too young to die and too old to take an ass whoopin'.....author unknown (but obviously brilliant)

01-13-2009, 02:44 PM	#19
Mosin_Nagant_Fan Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 1,833	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered You could have a Class3 convert it to a SBR if you like originality or replace the barrel with a 16" barrel if you want to skip the tax stamp, either way you will need to change the bolt and trigger system to make it closed bolt with a floating pin. You may spend as much as it would with a brand new one. They'll also have to put a new S/N because the original S/N may come up as the SMG. If you want a Thomson, it would be easier to buy a new Kahr-Arms Thomson. __________________ Long Gun Collection: M38 Mosin-Nagant Carbine Russian 1950 SKS Winchester 1300 20Ga Western Field Single-Shot 16Ga Sears Ranger .22S-L-LR Bolt-Action Rifle Marlin 795 Semi-Auto (Brother's) Handgun Collection: Springfield Armory XD9 Service

01-14-2009, 12:58 PM	#20
Bill DeShivs Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Contributor Posts: 1,478	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered A machinegun receiver can not legally be changed to a semi-auto. It would still be considered a machinegun. Plus- the parts won't interchange. Changing serial numbers is a felony. __________________ Bill DeShivs www.billdeshivs.com

01-14-2009, 03:38 PM	#21
Mosin_Nagant_Fan Advanced Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Montgomery, AL Posts: 1,833	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered Well, there you go, either lose the gun or pull it apart and save the parts for a wall hanger display. You could just bring the receiver to a Class3 dealer and have him check and if it comes up negative then you still have the parts to make a dummy. __________________ Long Gun Collection: M38 Mosin-Nagant Carbine Russian 1950 SKS Winchester 1300 20Ga Western Field Single-Shot 16Ga Sears Ranger .22S-L-LR Bolt-Action Rifle Marlin 795 Semi-Auto (Brother's) Handgun Collection: Springfield Armory XD9 Service

01-22-2009, 02:15 PM	#22
InfiniteArms V.I.P. Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: NV Posts: 51	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered No dealer with any smarts would want this anywhere near them or there shop. If it is not registered then it is an illegal machine gun and contraband for anyone to posses except LE/GOV. Options: 1) Contact a NFA experiences lawyer (Not uncle Kenny or the guy that did your house closing) and they can contact the ATF on your behalf and see if the serial number is in the registry. 2) Contact the chief of a local FRIENDLY police department who you know to see if they would like the gun for there officers (and possibly you) to play with. 3) Strip the gun and destroy the serialized receiver. Parts kits are worth $600+ and can be sold on the open market without the receiver. 4) Contact an accredited museum. There are stories (stories because they are unconfirmed to me) that they can register and posses illegal MGs. 5) Contact an experienced NFA lawyer and see if there is any truth to the story that an MG owned by GI who was in active service during the '68 amnesty can still be registered. It is worth investing time and some money to take the proper steps to investigate these options to avoid jail time and possible end up with a live collectable Thompson worth $20k+. Others are correct about not being legal to convert it to a SBR because the receiver will always be a machine gun and that the Semi Auto Thompsons have significant changes to not work with full auto parts.

01-27-2009, 06:42 PM	#23
BobR. Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Brunswick, Ohio Posts: 7	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered I sure hope that you don't have any visitors to see your M/G after you told the whole world what you own. Prudence should be practiced, public forums are not the place to discuss such inquires.

09-22-2009, 08:59 PM	#24
medalguy Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 585	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered Under no circumstances can an individual register a not previously registered MG. I would probably (probably) pull everything off the gun, including the barrel, and turn in the stripped receiver to your attorney who could then call ATF, keeping you out of the equation. The parts kits, as mentioned, go for $600 - $1000 today. Good luck with your unwinnable problem. What a waste!

09-26-2009, 10:12 AM	#25
glassmountains Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 2	Re: Can This Be Thompson Registered 1968 was the year they had an Amnesty. In 1986 they passed the Firearms Owner Protection Act which outlawed the manufacture of full auto weapons that could be sold to individuals. THANK YOU NRA. ATF may allow this Thompson to be registered, they have done it in the past. Desoto, Please PM me for contact info on who to talk to.