Legality of full auto gift

[ATM]

Asking for advice for a friend. No, seriously... NOT ME.
Friend's bro-in-law (active military) gave him a full auto AK that he brought back from Afghanistan. What can he do to legally own this? I have not seen this situation on the board (i.e. correcting an illegal situation) as most questions and advice center around the proper steps to be legal prior to ownership. Appreciate suggestions.

[RonPaulSupporter]

Originally Posted by ATM

What can he do to legally own this?

Nothing, all machine guns owned by a civilian must be registered before May, 19 1986. I don't think there is anyway it can be legal.

[ATM]

If no legal way to own it, any suggestions on what to do with it?

(My thought is PVC tube buried in sand with thin layer of concrete which could be broken up and retrieved for OMGWTFSHTFBBQ)

More serious suggestions are also welcome. Thanks!

[Indy_Guy_77]

I'd say that the possessor and giver of said automatic AK would be in one hell of a heap of trouble should ANYONE find out.

Oh, and keep in mind, that it's about 85% likely that this board is read by "anyone".

-J-

[ATM]

Hence, no names. It's really not me so I am not worried. He really may need a good option to distance himself from it, though.

[undecided]

Could he take a saw to the current reciever and cut it up and then build it back on a legal US made reciever? Then it would just be like building a rifle from a parts kit correct?

[Donnelly]

Literally, if no one wants to pay massive fines and possibly do time in federal prison, I would suggest the destruction of said firearm. Perhaps a home workshop with a grinding wheel. That said, I don't know if I could do the deed, if it were me. Oh, I suppose I could, but it would break my heart.

As a side note, does anyone find this story suspicious? Brother-in-law who is active military jeopardizes his career to bring home a fully auto AK? Isn't there any sort of inspection of property when transporting personal items?

[shooter521]

Originally Posted by undecided

Could he take a saw to the current reciever and cut it up and then build it back on a legal US made reciever? Then it would just be like building a rifle from a parts kit correct?

Nope. It was contraband that entered this country illegally to begin with; cutting it up with a saw (which wouldn't be to ATF specs anyway, since they require receivers to be torch-cut now) won't change that status.

Originally Posted by Donnelly

As a side note, does anyone find this story suspicious? Brother-in-law who is active military jeopardizes his career to bring home a fully auto AK?

What's suspicious to me is not that he jeopardized his career (and freedom... hello Leavenworth!) to bring it back... it's that after doing so, he gave it away to his brother-in-law!

Isn't there any sort of inspection of property when transporting personal items?

You bet your a$$! Guys have gotten busted for bringing back stuff a LOT smaller and less illegal than an AK...

[Donnelly]

Originally Posted by undecided

Could he take a saw to the current reciever and cut it up and then build it back on a legal US made reciever? Then it would just be like building a rifle from a parts kit correct?

Not exactly. Different sear, bolt carrier, etc.

[ATM]

Originally Posted by Donnelly

As a side note, does anyone find this story suspicious? Brother-in-law who is active military jeopardizes his career to bring home a fully auto AK? Isn't there any sort of inspection of property when transporting personal items?

Just going by what friend (who has no known reason to make it up) described to me. I don't even know the name of the in-law. I wasn't suspicious perhaps due to my own ignorance of the severity of the situation. I will certainly share this entire thread with him. Thanks for all of your input.