Federal Foundation: What Is a Transferable Machine Gun?

Before discussing PPP states, it’s important to understand the federal baseline. Civilian ownership of machine guns is governed by:

• National Firearms Act of 1934

• Gun Control Act of 1968

• Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986 (Hughes Amendment)

  
  

Key Federal Rule

Only machine guns registered before May 19, 1986, are transferable to civilians. To legally own one, you must:

• Submit ATF Form 4

• Pass a background check

• Pay a $200 tax stamp

• Receive ATF approval before possession

  
  

No FFL or SOT license is required for individual ownership.

STATES WHERE TRANSFERABLE MACHINE GUNS ARE LEGAL FOR CIVILIANS

These states allow civilian ownership of federally registered transferable machine guns, subject to NFA compliance.

Highly NFA-Friendly States (Strong Collector Markets)

• Alabama

• Alaska

• Arizona

• Arkansas

• Florida

• Georgia

• Idaho

• Indiana

• Kansas

• Kentucky

• Louisiana

• Maine

• Michigan

• Mississippi

• Missouri

• Montana

• Nevada

• New Hampshire

• North Carolina

• North Dakota

• Ohio

• Oklahoma

• Pennsylvania

• South Carolina

• South Dakota

• Tennessee

• Texas

• Utah

• Vermont

• Virginia

• West Virginia

• Wisconsin

• Wyoming

  
  

These states consistently support private ownership of:

• Transferable M16 machine guns

• HK MP5 and HK53 machine guns

• UZI transferable submachine guns

• Browning M1919 belt-fed machine guns

• MAC-10 and MAC-11 machine guns

• Colt factory machine guns

  
  

Many of the most active machine gun dealers and collectors operate in these states. Florida, Texas, Arizona, Nevada, and Georgia, in particular, represent strong transferable machine gun markets.

STATES WHERE MACHINE GUNS ARE LEGAL WITH ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

These states allow ownership but may require additional state compliance.

• Colorado

• Connecticut

• Delaware

• Iowa

• Maryland

• Minnesota

• Nebraska

• New Mexico

• Oregon

• Washington

  
  

Examples of Additional Requirements

• State registration filings

• Collector permits

• Restrictions on use vs possession

• Documentation proving federal registration

  
  

Buyers in these states should confirm local statutes before initiating a transfer.

STATES WHERE CIVILIAN MACHINE GUN OWNERSHIP IS PROHIBITED

These states generally prohibit civilian possession of transferable machine guns regardless of federal registration status.

• California

• Hawaii

• Illinois

• New Jersey

• New York

• Rhode Island

  
  

In these states, machine guns are typically restricted to:

• Law enforcement

• Military

• Licensed manufacturers or dealers (SOT holders)

  
  

STATES WITH COMPLEX OR LIMITED INTERPRETATIONS

• Massachusetts

• Michigan (state-level compliance nuances)

• Washington (possession vs discharge distinctions)

  
  

These states require careful interpretation of statutes and often benefit from experienced NFA dealer guidance.

Full List of All 50 States Referenced

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Why Transferable Machine Guns Are So Valuable

Because no new machine guns can be registered for civilian transfer after 1986, the market supply is permanently fixed. This creates:

• Finite inventory

• Strong collector demand

• Long-term appreciation trends

• Investment-grade firearms

  
  

High-demand transferable platforms include:

• Colt M16 transferable machine guns

• HK sear machine guns

• Factory HK53 and HK21 machine guns

• Group Industries and Vector UZI machine guns

• Browning M2HB and M1919 belt-fed machine guns

• Ingram MAC series machine guns

  
  

Frequently Asked Questions About Machine Gun Legality

Are machine guns legal in the United States?

Yes, federally registered transferable machine guns are legal in many states.

Do I need a special license to own a machine gun?

No federal firearms license is required for private civilian ownership of transferable machine guns.

Can I buy a newly manufactured machine gun?

No. Only machine guns registered before May 19, 1986, may transfer to civilians.

How long does ATF approval take?

Approval times vary. Many transfers are now processed through ATF eForms.

Are machine guns a good investment?

Historically, transferable machine guns have appreciated due to their fixed supply and strong collector demand.

Why Buy From an Experienced Transferable Machine Gun Dealer

Navigating:

• Interstate transfers

• ATF Form 4 filings

• Trust vs individual ownership

• State legality compliance

  
  

requires expertise. Full Auto LLC specializes in:

• Transferable machine guns

• Elite collector inventory

• ATF eForm transfers

• Compliance-focused NFA transactions

  
  

If you are researching legality because you are considering purchasing a transferable machine gun, the next step is working with a knowledgeable dealer.

👉 Browse available inventory at: https://www.myfullauto.com

Final Thoughts

Machine gun ownership is legal for civilians in many U.S. states when federal and state laws are properly followed. Understanding your state’s specific legal framework is essential before beginning the purchase process. Transferable machine guns remain one of the most unique, historically significant, and finite firearms categories available to collectors today.

For current availability, pricing, or legality questions specific to your state, contact:

Full Auto LLC – Florida FFL/SOT https://www.myfullauto.com