Those pesky Korean possessed American Rifles and Pistols, that Korea wants to give back. The ATF simply objects to the importation of these M1's and 1911's.
http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-national/atf-surplus-korean-firearms-import-pose-a-threat-to-public-safety-the-u-s
In August, I asked "Why is Obama Administration blocking import of surplus rifles?," citing "problems" that were described as "ambiguous" being the reason a sale previously approved by the State Department had been halted.
The ambiguity has now been cleared up. A Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives advisory titled "Effect of Granting Retransfer Authority" shows us the rationale behind the move. As the Examiner.com "upgrade" no longer allows content providers to embed objects, I must refer you offsite for the complete document. But in the interests of discussing the report, I have also broken it up into numbered graphics (see slide show in left margin):
1. Here it is in black and white:
"...ATF believes the importation of these firearms, particularly the M1 carbine rifle and M-1911 pistol, poses a threat to public safety in the U.S."
This is the same rationale used in model-specific "assault weapons" bans--the type of gun is somehow deemed relevant, even though untold numbers of such firearms are already peaceably owned in this country, and even though no supporting evidence for this conclusion exists beyond agenda-promoting speculation.
2. We'll see an increase in imported firearms. Lots of them. So?
3. Prices will go down due to supply and demand. Their source? That noted threat to public safety in the U.S., the Civilian Marksmanship Program, authorized by Title 36 U. S. Code, 0701-40733 and a key supplier of "surplus military firearms, ammunition, parts and other items," provided you meet their eligibility requirements. The other apparent concern is the law does not empower ATF to collect "end user" information--so apparently any privately owned firearm with information not so collected is now a domestic threat? Maybe the solution is to "end the gun show loophole" and authorize licensing and registration?
4. The imported firearms will have "no more controls than any other firearm." If I read this right, what they're saying is, every gun poses a threat to public safety in the U.S. That, and the M1 carbine can be "easily converted to a machinegun." Probably easier than Airsoft guns, and I'll bet they don't need chain, duct tape and plastic ties to do it!
5. All you need is an "experienced machinist," seven parts, and a firm commitment to break the law. Just like with every other M1 carbine already out there. Or lots of other semiautos. That and we "may raise the risk" that full-auto lookalikes will be smuggled into the country.
Meaning, if we follow ATF's "logic," all semiautos that look like actual military firearms pose a threat to public safety in the U.S.!****
More at link.
This is a branch of the gov't, acting on their own accord, with (BHO's nod of approval),...throwing in a quagmire of Feinstien, Schumer, Bloomberg, ideology.
Can we not fight this, where's the NRA, GOA, SAF, local folks, emails, protests....c'mon folks.