In short, NO. Through the years, several laws restricting ownership took effect, but not “Banned” as it would be a clear infraction of the 2nd amendment. Machine guns were free to buy and sell up until 1934 when the NFA Act of 1934 took effect. At this point they were TAXED, not “Banned”. This began the $200 federal machine gun transfer tax that still exists today.

In short, NO. As the laws have also changed through the years, the type of gun, date of manufacture, and HOW it’s registered make a big difference. The registration status determines whether the gun can be owned by an individual, or only by law enforcement/government agency. Lawful ownership in any case requires an approved “Form 4” to be lawfully owned/registered.

Absolutely not!!!! Unless you are a machine gun manufacturer with a Federal Firearms License (FFL), you cannot convert one!!! This is a felony with a 20 year prison sentence and $250,000 fine. Unless you are looking for a new 350 lb boyfriend named “Bubba”, you do not want to even be in possession of an unregistered machine gun, regardless of how it was made and found its way into your hands.

Before December 27th of 2005, Michigan residents could only own “C&R” or curio and relic registered machine guns. Attorney General opinion #7183 passed on December 27th of 2005 effectively opened the state up to TRANSFERABLE machine guns (C&R guns still OK too). A TRANSFERABLE machine gun is one that was manufactured and registered before the “ban” of May 19th 1986. On this date, any new gun manufactured can only be made and possessed by Law Enforcement or Government (a very highly restricted registration). This is why you can’t convert your rifle into a machine gun. Federal rules have not changed, but Michigan’s laws have changed. The Feds won’t supercede State law, this is why we had to wait for Michigan to change its laws (or actually, opinion of the law). Opinion #7183 effectively defined your approved Form 4 with a $200 federal tax stamp IS your license to own.

In short, it will…be patient. The AG opinion #7183 only mentioned machine guns, but if you look at Michigan Common Law (MCL), machine guns and suppressors (silencers) are in the same subsection of the MCL. Thus, suppressors were not excluded in opinion #7183, but since few understand the law and its implications, we’ve asked our Attorney General to help clear this up with a ‘clarification” letter on suppressors. SBS’s and SBR’s are a different MCL number, this may or may not require a separate opinion. It’s really up the AG and I know their office is getting tired of the phone calls, so please be patient and support AG Mike Cox. It is our understanding this will be cleared up in a month or two. Don’t forget machine gun opinions are not the only thing they have to do for the State of Michigan. In the meantime, we have been taking deposits on suppressors to shave off a couple months time to get if from the manufacturer to us at Sheridan Armaments, once we get the OK, we can immediately begin transfer paperwork to the individual so you’ll be the first to have it!!!!

What’s this Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO) sign off?

Glad you asked. Your form 4 paperwork also requires a “signoff” by the local LE department before the ATF approves of your form 4. This is not so much “permission” by your Chief or Sheriff, as it is making sure your local LE doesn’t show cause to believe you SHOULD NOT own one. Your local PD probably knows if you are a trouble causing felon or not, the ATF figures they better ask the locals if you’ve been shooting up the town or not. We support and work very closely with law enforcement departments around Michigan and the U.S., especially as law enforcement sales/supply. We’re very happy to help or get on the phone if there are any questions, inclusions, exclusions from your local CLEO. We also encourage PD’s to communicate with us if there is something we should know about a transferee. Unfortunately, we’ve also found some CLEO’s who won’t sign based strictly on their political anti-gun beliefs, regardless of how good a law abiding citizen you have been. In these cases, there are other legal routes that can be pursued, aside from waiting until re-election time.

Alright I’m sold, what’s the first step?

This is where we come in. You can buy an in stock gun and begin transfer paperwork immediately (still takes 3 months before you get approved). This is the hardest part because machine gun paperwork takes a while. This is not like buying a pistol or rifle, the background checks for machine guns or NFA transfers take at least 2 months, so be patient. We can also broker an out of state gun, or simply transfer if you have a collection in another state. Just tell us what you want and we can get it for you.

How much is this going to cost?

Plan on spending a minimum of $4000. It really depends on what you want. Since no more can be manufactured (the 1986 ban), prices (and values) have gone nothing but up and up an up. Diminishing supply and increasing demand. If you think it sounds like too much to spend money on, I can show you how your machine gun investments will outperform your stock portfolio. Check with Forbes, Fortune 500 and other investment companies, machine guns have commonly vacillated between #1 to #3 for investment return. The longer you wait, the more it goes up in value, this is what investment companies do with us, buy and sell collections.

In short, NO. As long as you are not shooting AT someone or in an unsafe direction, there is no difference in shooting a machine gun versus a rifle. If you are going to a private range, you may need their permission since it is private property and they may have separate range rules. Some ranges have their own policies, at Sheridan Arms, we now have machine gun friendly ranges. It is also a good idea to call your local PD before you shoot, it really helps the barrage of phone calls they are likely to get. Just let them know you lawfully own an MG and you will be doing some shooting. They may still send a squad car, but they’ll know your are legit! Chances are you will make them smile after a long day on the beat.

The same rationale was used by anti-gunners for our CPL or CCW holders. Notice their silence after 4 years of CPL/CCW law took effect and now the CCW/CPL holders number over 100,000 in the state. Again, when forced to look at fact and not fantasy, you’ll find machine gun owning citizens are some of the most responsible law abiding citizens around. ~40 other states have been shooting machine guns for decades upon decades upon decades, just no one knows about it primarily due to the lack of positive portrayal by the media. Come to one of our major machine gun festivals, I GUARANTEE a safe fun time. Shooting sports are extremely prevalent in Michigan, machine gun shooting sports are no less fun.

Ahhhh, our specialty. We have year round shoots in and out of state. April we are at Knob Creek Kentucky, May is Thunder in the Hills, June is Southern Ohio Machine Gun Shoot, and July is Bulletfest, etc. Local shoots and other national shoots, check with our gunshop.

Check with us first, we control our ranges with instructors and range safety officers for safety. Last thing we want is an accident and these types of firearms require special attention. We are now also providing machine gun classes in order to promote safe handling/instruction for all our customers.