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Thompson- legal to own?????

iluvrots
New to the forums, some real good info on here. I need some help. Can someone tell me if it is legal to own a fully auto Thompson machine gun. Recently I was told of a WWII era 30-cal. gun. The owner passed away and his wife wants nothing to do with it. The son wants to sell the weapon. I have not seen the weapon nor do I know if it even exists(I don't even know if they made a 30 -cal). However, if it does is it worth looking into for investment purposes?? I was told the gun has been in a closet for years, cleaned from time to time by the "old man". What are the laws to own/register this gun in Pa. I have asked around and have gotten various answers. I doubt if it has ever been registered. Thank you in advance for any help on this.
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Comments

9 comments

Date Votes
  • nmyers
    You are right, the Thompson was never made in .30. My bet is that the gun is an M2 carbine.

    Whatever, if it is full auto & not registered, it is contraband & can never be registered under federal law. Simple possession is good for 10 years, no parole. If this is what they have, the best advice you can give is to tell them to call the local police & ask to have it picked up.

    Neal
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  • 11b6r
    It is likely that the weapon is NOT a Thompson- but may be a perfectly legal M-1, or M-1 Carbine. If it is an M-2 (Full auto version of the M-1) there is a selector lever on the left side, just below barrel. IF the weapon is a full auto, and has never been registered with the ATF, sorry Charlie- no more can be registered, and possession is a serious felony. On the other hand, it may be a regular weapon.

    "I have good news and bad. Make it through, you don't have to prove anything to anyone the rest of your life. Bad news- you have to prove it to me first." CSM, US Army Ranger School.
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  • rsnyder55
    30 Cal, possibly a BAR?

    NRA Life Member
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  • rsnyder55
    True, but reading the statement 'WWII era 30-cal gun' and the fact he hadn't seen it. I didn't want to assume.

    NRA Life Member
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  • select-fire
    Old man could have a 1919 Browning Water Cooled $$$$$
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  • v35
    We need to know what the markings (not the serial number) on the gun are to determine which gun we're talking about.
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  • iluvrots
    Thanks for all the input. I'm going to speak to the family early next week to get the details. If it is a Thompson, based on all of your responses, I want nothing to do with it. It seems a shame, would be a neat piece of history. I will keep you all updated. thanks again.
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  • SKYDIVER386
    quote:Originally posted by 46270
    I dont think you would mistake a Browning BAR for a Thompson.


    We can all dream cant we? [:D][:D][:D]

    bfoqrb.gif
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  • perry shooter
    I don't want to butt in. However is there any way to check to see if the OLD MAN did register the gun without BATF raiding the person asking the question????
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