OFF THE WIRE
While the current
State Department has cited concerns that the M1s will end up being used
to commit crimes, these rifles are legal to make and purchase in the
United States. Millions were made, and they are highly regarded for
their historical significance. The federal government even authorizes
the sale of M1 Garand rifles and M1 carbines to collectors and
marksmanship competitors through the Civilian Marksmanship Program.
The
import restriction is the result of a complex set of federal laws. In
1984, Congress enacted legislation that allows the importation of
military surplus "curio or relic" firearms. The provision was later
found to only cover firearms of foreign origin because another law, the
Arms Export Control Act, prohibits the importation of arms that were
originally manufactured in the United States and furnished to a foreign
government. In 1988, Congress amended the Arms Export Control Act to
specifically allow for the importation of U.S.-origin "curio or relic
firearms," but various administrations have used certain requirements
under that law to continue to block those imports.
This week, U.S.
Rep. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) introduced H.R. 2247--the "Collectible
Firearms Protection Act." H.R. 2247 would allow the importation of
U.S.-origin "curio or relic" firearms into the United States without
State Department permission. As with any other firearm, importers would
still have to obtain an import license from the Bureau of Alcohol
Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The transactions would also be
subject to dealer recordkeeping and background check requirements before
retail sale.
In a press release
announcing her bill, Rep. Lummis said, "It's disappointing that
legislation is even necessary to allow U.S. citizens to access perfectly
legal and regulated firearms, in this case storied, U.S.-made rifles
that are pieces of U.S. military history. This is a political stunt on
the part of the State Department, pure and simple, while denying the
exercise of Second Amendment rights by law-abiding citizens, firearm
collectors, and competitive marksman. The State Department has no
business blocking domestic firearm ownership; they are way out of bounds
and my legislation will put them back in their place."
