Is full auto Glock legal in Nevada? Explore this guide to understand Nevada’s gun laws and restrictions on fully automatic firearms.
Either a firearm enthusiast or just wondering about Nevada’s gun laws, you might be asking yourself: “Is full auto Glock legal in Nevada?” Well, the answer is not quite so simple as yes or no. The legality of owning a fully automatic Glock depends on both state laws and federal regulations. While Nevada is one of the states that have relatively lenient gun laws, it does permit ownership of machine guns, provided strict federal guidelines are followed. We are going to delve deep into the laws, requirements, and processes associated with owning a fully automatic Glock in Nevada.
Table of Contents
What is a “Full Auto Glock”?
Before I get started, let me first explain what a “full auto Glock” is: A Glock is a popular brand of semi-automatic pistols, but some Glock models-such as the Glock 18-are designed to fire in fully automatic mode. In this fully automatic mode, the firearm will continue firing provided the trigger remains depressed until the magazine is empty, whereas semi-automatic firearms require one pull of the trigger for every shot.
Fully automatic firearms fall under the category of machine guns, which are greatly regulated by federal law; thus, this would be what most people mean when they ask, “Are automatic guns legal?” Yes, but again, only under specific circumstances.
Is Full Auto Glock Legal in Nevada?
Here’s the short answer:
Yes, a full auto Glock should be able to still be legal on a case here in Nevada if lawfully attained/registered per possession on or before May 19th of 1986.
This is due to the federal Firearm Owners’ Protection Act (FOPA), which prohibited the civilian manufacture and registration of new machine guns after that date.
Although the state laws in Nevada do not ban the ownership of machine guns, there are federal regulations that you have to meet regarding ownership. So, owning a full-auto Glock means you need:
If you’re especially interested in how to get a fully automatic gun, be prepared for an expensive and heavily bureaucratic process—assuming you can even find one because pre-1986 machine guns are getting exceedingly rare and often cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Federal Regulations Regarding Ownership of Full Auto Glock
If you are serious about a fully automatic Glock in Nevada, here are some federal requirements you should consider:
Registration with the ATF
The firearm in question must have already been registered with the ATF. This is not up for debate, as the ATF has a strict registry of all legal machine guns.
Get an ATF Permit
You have to apply for and be approved by the ATF to take legal possession of the firearm. This includes filling out ATF Form 4 and going through an in-depth background check.
Pay the Excise Tax
There is also a one-time tax due at the transfer, which is $200 (NFA tax stamp). Honestly, it’s not that much compared to the financial real challenge of this whole process: the cost of actually finding an available firearm in this category. They can easily be as low as $20,000 but higher than $50,000.
Approval to Transport Interstate
With an exception in Nevada, one intending to take the full auto Glock outside Nevada must get prior approval from the ATF to make sure that other states’ gun laws where many ban machine guns are observed.
Nevada Gun Law and Fully Automatic Weapons
Nevada can be considered a very gun-friendly state, compared to California or Massachusetts, for instance. The law of the state permits ownership of machine guns if they meet federal standards. It is very important, however, to take a closer look at Nevada open carry laws and NV gun laws in general:
What are the consequences if you have a machine gun illegally?
Unlawful possession of a full-auto Glock—or any machine gun—is a serious federal felony. The punishments include:
Quite simply, it is not worth the risk of breaking these laws. The ATF takes very serious violations when it comes to automatic weapons, and not knowing the law is no excuse.
Challenges of Owning a Full Auto Glock
If you’re still considering ownership, here are some important things to keep in mind:
Personal Experience: Reasons Why Full Auto Glocks are a Something I Have Looked At
Now, let me relate all this a bit by sharing a quick personal story. A few years ago, I took up firearms as a hobby. As many enthusiasts do, I was one of those persons who wanted to own a fully automatic firearm. I even spent hours researching how to get a fully automatic gun and whether “Can you own a full auto gun in US?” was a realistic question.
What I quickly learned was that owning a full auto Glock might sound cool, but it’s an awfully complex and really expensive process. I remember finding listings for pre-1986 machine guns going for $25,000. To put it into perspective, that’s more than I paid for my first car!
Although the costs and regulations finally outweighed, in my estimation, any potential benefits, I learned from the experience about gun laws, specifically just how seriously the government regulates fully automatic firearms.
Are Automatic Guns Legal in the US?
This is a general question often running parallel with the state-specific question, “Is full auto Glock legal in Nevada?” Well, yes-but only on very particular grounds:
Therefore, while it is technically legal to own a full auto gun in the US, the barriers to entry are rather high.
FAQs
1. Is it legal to own a full auto Glock in Nevada?
Yes, a full auto Glock is legal to possess in Nevada but has to be manufactured and registered before May 19th, 1986 under the NFA. Nevada doesn’t ban machine guns, but under federal law, the gun has to be registered with the ATF.
Also, the owner must obtain a permit and pay a $200 tax stamp, not to mention the very strict regulations.
2. How would one legally go about getting a fully automatic gun in Nevada?
To legally get a fully automatic gun in Nevada, you must:
Keep in mind that fully automatic firearms manufactured after 1986 are illegal to own for civilians and this too applies even in Nevada.
3. Are automatic guns legal in the United States for civilians?
Yes, fully automatic guns are legal to be owned by civilians in the United States but under very strict conditions. The firearm had to be manufactured and registered before May 19, 1986, under the Firearm Owners’ Protection Act. To own one, the National Firearms Act needs to be followed, which means registration and approval by the ATF, including paying the $200 tax stamp for the firearm. Furthermore, some states completely prohibit automatic firearms, such as California and Massachusetts, but Nevada does not ban them.
4. Are there any penalties associated with owning a machine gun in Nevada?
It is a federal felony to possess a machine gun illegally in Nevada. Convictions may lead to:
Federal authorities, including the ATF, go strictly by these laws, and violations are taken as serious offenses. Always ensure that both federal and state laws are complied with to avoid severe legal consequences.
Final Thoughts on Full Auto Glocks in Nevada
So, is full auto Glock legal in Nevada? Yes, but only under very specific conditions. While Nevada’s gun laws are pretty permissive, thanks to federal regulations, a fully automatic firearm is an extremely rare and very expensive privilege to own. Other than those prepared to navigate the complexities of the National Firearms Act, spend tens of thousands of dollars, and wait months for ATF approval, it’s simply not realistic for most.
Key Takeaways
If you’re just starting your journey into firearms, consider exploring Nevada open carry laws or other NV gun laws before diving into the world of machine guns. Trust me, there’s plenty to enjoy without taking on the complexities of fully automatic firearms.
Additional Resources
To learn more about the laws and regulations surrounding fully automatic firearms, check out these resources:
