You know I get asked alot of firearms questions, some of them technical, some of them tactical; but the ones that I really like are the VALUE questions…not just in terms of financial value, but in terms of Practicality. A recent example would be how practical is it for the CO to own an Uzi?? This question comes on the heels of certain “internet” gun training personalities (who happen to make Uzi’s too, imagine that!) that are now flaunting them as the perfect “survival weapon”?? Huh? Did I miss something?
First and foremost, a “Civilian Uzi” is nothing more than a semi-auto, hi-capacity, 10″ SBR or 16″ Barrel, mostly “Frankenfish” kit, 9mm pistol. My answer: Instead of buying an overpriced “toy” to show your gun range buddies, do the right thing and buy a few happy stick’s for your Glock. Problem solved: take an existing weapon and add capacity. Isn’t it funny how practical solutions are often very economical too?? 🙂 Wow..this is earth shattering stuff, huh??? 🙂 (insert sarcasm HERE).
So the question on the table is What is the real world “practicality” of suppressors with civilians?? Besides the obvious reasons of lowering the decibel level during drills and using one while hunting (see list of legal State’s here) you would be hard pressed to come up with a valid, practical reason, wouldn’t you? I mean your “run of the mill” civilian CO is not going to be inserting via HALO into an enemy encampment, having to neutralize several sentries silently along the way, grab a VIP (politician taken hostage say) package and execute a Zodiac boat exfil without anyone being any wiser is he? Of course not. Those roles are filled by Tier 1 & 2 Professionals in the Military and some Law Enforcement SWAT & HRT.
You could argue along the same lines I suppose about the practicality of civilians owning SBR’s (Short Barreled Rifles) or a Machine Gun; what is the practicality of it? Although there are no laws on the books against civilians (or companies) using a SBR or Automatic weapon for self-defense, it is not something you hear about on a frequent basis, nor is it the smartest legal move of the century. (Imagine the Zimmerman/Martin case if Zimmerman had been carrying a legally owned SBR Uzi on neighberhood watch!?? Ouch!!! The DA would be having a field day.
Just for FYI and so not to bore you with facts/figures, go to Silencers are Legal & BRPGuns to get the low down on the legalities/history and all other info on how to LEGALLY own Suppressors, SBR’s and Automatic Weapons.
I suppose the answer why civilians buy Suppressors, SBR’s and “Bullet Hoses” is two-fold:
- The “Cool” Factor
- Because YOU CAN!!!
As I really don’t think the “Cool” Factor needs any explanation as far as when you are talking about cars or guns we will move on to #2….
As we are still living in a land where the 2nd Amendment is in force (KNOCK ON WOOD TWICE), I am of the school of thought that states as long as something is legal in your state, take advantage of it and buy one! Forget about practicality! Forget about legitimizing your purchase to your gun store buddies! Forget about trying to make your purchase politically correct! (My God in the Socialist Soup we live in, you are in for an uphill battle on that one my friend!! 🙂
The best, most illustrative example I can give you was my purchase of a FFL 03: Curio and Relics License..yeah, I don’t use it all that much and the guns I can get are mostly bolt actions (although I did buy some Sweeeet M1 Garand’s from the CMP recently!!), but for me to spend 5 minutes filling out a basic background check and spend $30 for a 4 year license perfectly legitimizes when that UPS big brown truck of joy pulls up to my house with a working firearm! I guess what I am trying to say is at least with me, it is more about the principal of the matter. With the past and current push of the progressive socialist to dis-arm and criminalize guns, I say, take whatever opportunity you can to exercise your 2nd amendment rights! As a sidenote, as the ATF is always updating the C&R Firearms list, I recently got some really nice SKS’s, so the armory is growing and more every day, which means several things:
- I am making sound investments for future financial “hard times” (yeah, people will always buy or need guns!!)
- Me and my family are well prepared for the Zombie Apocalypse and/or Armageddon
- With each gun purchased and delivered, that is one more liberal out here that is pissed off because a CO took the Constitution at face value!!!
So guys, bottom line, if you got the cash, and don’t mind some hefty paperwork and the ATF prying into your business some, (after all, they have already been eaves-dropping your IP’s and Phone lines!) buy that $200 tax stamp for that Suppressor, SBR or Machine Gun. Let’s face it, with the current white house renters and their anti-gun track record thus far, who knows, something you buy today could be outlawed tomorrow and then be worth ten or twenty times what you paid for it..so I guess in that sense it is a “practical” move!!
Stay Dangerous and Exercise your Rights!!!