I have a few clarifications/questions as you seem to be missing info OR you live in a much more restricted area that I do.
I do not want too much specific personal info just the state you live in OR say if you live in a large city NOT THE NAME. Certain states and many big cities have more restrictive gun laws
There is no nationwide registration.
Guns sold retail since 1999 went through the NICS. It made sure you met the legal standards to purchase a gun. The 4473 background form info is called or sent to the ATF and if approved the sale continues. It is not a registration and the ATF is not supposed to keep the information except the ser # of the firearm and the gun dealer's info. The dealer keeps the 4473 forms until and if the store goes out of business. Then they are required to turn the forms into the ATF. The problem is it is suspected the ATF has kept the personal records of each sale therefore becoming a defacto registration but illegal.
FULL AUTO means multiple shots with one trigger pull. SEMI AUTO means the weapon reloads a round each shot but requires another trigger pull for each shot.
Full auto has much different law. Has been restricted since the 1930s. And needs to be talked about separately. They have become very expensive because the finite legal numbers in citizen hands. Compare an AR-15 to a M-16. With the same parts and configuration except for the parts that enable function in full auto. An ar15 might run $800 and a used wore out m16 might be $20,000. The difference is a few dollars cost to manufacture. The illegality to be caught with a unregistered fullauto is similar to a Murder charge.
This is why I wanted an idea of where you live. Certain states and cities have an actual registration. You need to fill out forms at some place like sherriff courthouse etc. They keep that form for each gun you are required to register. It has your name address and so on. The have the serial numbers. If you move you have to update. The laws for each state or city requiring registration are all different.
Nationwide they started the National Instant Check System NICS in 1998. The dealer keeping the 4474 in a filing cabinet or moldy box in the basement is NOT registration. The FBI can get the form with an court ordered subpoena. Again when they call in your 4474 the dealer gives them your name address etc. The ser # of the gun but NOT the brand or model or type. The FBI once they run your background check is supposed to discard your personal information. ALL they keep is the date, ser# and the dealer info. If they have a reason to trace the gun (gun used in crime) they get the court order and get the dealer to dig out the mouldy box to get your info.
Then the FBI tries to find you after years and a few moves around the country. When the show up at your door years later and ask if you had the gun ser# model #. You tell them where the gun went if you can remember. "Special Agent Fuckface I did not like that gun. It didn't fit me. I traded it at a swap meet for the full set of 1970 - 1980 Big 'Uns. Magazines. Is that all, I have dinner ready?"
"Tommy gun" is the Thompson submachine gun. They like many full auto guns have been heavily regulated for many years. If you are interested in having one you better do your research and have deep pockets.
The "suppression mechanism" must be a silencer or sound suppressor. While they can be installed on most guns ever made, from my quick research silencers were not factory installed Thompson MGs. I am in no means an expert in antique or full auto guns.
Silencers have their own heavily regulated rules along with short barreled rifles and shotguns and destructive devices.
My quote "The illegality to be caught with a unregistered full auto is similar to a Murder charge." I did not say get a murder charge or sentence. I mean similar incarceration.
NFA charge: Felony $250,000 up to 10 years Federal prison, loss of NFA item, felon for life meaning no voting or gun rights, difficulty finding decent work.
Again I don't know where you are from but I doubt you have much experience buying or shooting. This has been my lifetime hobby and I would need more lifetimes to learn a portion of firearm law, history and culture.
It takes me a long time to type all this out. I don't mind sharing knowledge if you are interested. If not.....
I agree Kyle is a stud.
I have a few clarifications/questions as you seem to be missing info OR you live in a much more restricted area that I do.
I do not want too much specific personal info just the state you live in OR say if you live in a large city NOT THE NAME. Certain states and many big cities have more restrictive gun laws
There is no nationwide registration. Guns sold retail since 1999 went through the NICS. It made sure you met the legal standards to purchase a gun. The 4473 background form info is called or sent to the ATF and if approved the sale continues. It is not a registration and the ATF is not supposed to keep the information except the ser # of the firearm and the gun dealer's info. The dealer keeps the 4473 forms until and if the store goes out of business. Then they are required to turn the forms into the ATF. The problem is it is suspected the ATF has kept the personal records of each sale therefore becoming a defacto registration but illegal.
FULL AUTO means multiple shots with one trigger pull. SEMI AUTO means the weapon reloads a round each shot but requires another trigger pull for each shot.
Full auto has much different law. Has been restricted since the 1930s. And needs to be talked about separately. They have become very expensive because the finite legal numbers in citizen hands. Compare an AR-15 to a M-16. With the same parts and configuration except for the parts that enable function in full auto. An ar15 might run $800 and a used wore out m16 might be $20,000. The difference is a few dollars cost to manufacture. The illegality to be caught with a unregistered fullauto is similar to a Murder charge.
registered sales. 'Sales' being the key word here. Gun stores have to keep a copy of who they sold what gun to-
1921 Tommy guns had a suppression mechanism. Some guy made a you tube video of his, I have seen one at a vintage gun show.
You don't get a murder charge, unless you kill someone. It is legal for an American to own a fully Armed Tank, if they can afford it.
Correction my mistake NICS is run by FBI not BATF
This is why I wanted an idea of where you live. Certain states and cities have an actual registration. You need to fill out forms at some place like sherriff courthouse etc. They keep that form for each gun you are required to register. It has your name address and so on. The have the serial numbers. If you move you have to update. The laws for each state or city requiring registration are all different.
Nationwide they started the National Instant Check System NICS in 1998. The dealer keeping the 4474 in a filing cabinet or moldy box in the basement is NOT registration. The FBI can get the form with an court ordered subpoena. Again when they call in your 4474 the dealer gives them your name address etc. The ser # of the gun but NOT the brand or model or type. The FBI once they run your background check is supposed to discard your personal information. ALL they keep is the date, ser# and the dealer info. If they have a reason to trace the gun (gun used in crime) they get the court order and get the dealer to dig out the mouldy box to get your info.
Then the FBI tries to find you after years and a few moves around the country. When the show up at your door years later and ask if you had the gun ser# model #. You tell them where the gun went if you can remember. "Special Agent Fuckface I did not like that gun. It didn't fit me. I traded it at a swap meet for the full set of 1970 - 1980 Big 'Uns. Magazines. Is that all, I have dinner ready?"
"Tommy gun" is the Thompson submachine gun. They like many full auto guns have been heavily regulated for many years. If you are interested in having one you better do your research and have deep pockets.
The "suppression mechanism" must be a silencer or sound suppressor. While they can be installed on most guns ever made, from my quick research silencers were not factory installed Thompson MGs. I am in no means an expert in antique or full auto guns.
Silencers have their own heavily regulated rules along with short barreled rifles and shotguns and destructive devices.
My quote "The illegality to be caught with a unregistered full auto is similar to a Murder charge." I did not say get a murder charge or sentence. I mean similar incarceration.
NFA charge: Felony $250,000 up to 10 years Federal prison, loss of NFA item, felon for life meaning no voting or gun rights, difficulty finding decent work.
Again I don't know where you are from but I doubt you have much experience buying or shooting. This has been my lifetime hobby and I would need more lifetimes to learn a portion of firearm law, history and culture.
It takes me a long time to type all this out. I don't mind sharing knowledge if you are interested. If not.....