Members of the Arsenal Attorneys law firm met historians today participating in a World War Two tactical reenactment as part of a living history event. As much as possible the participants use original artifacts to teach history. This included everything from old wool army blankets, to armored vehicles and vintage firearms. The audience enjoyed observing the battle recreated by participants firing blanks from Thompson submachine guns, an MG-42, and an MG-34–identical to those facing each other in battles like the Normandy Invasion nearly 70 years ago.

Of particular concern to these historians was the preservation of these original World War Two machine guns. They are governed by the National Firearms Act, which makes it difficult to acquire, handle, and inherit such Class 3 firearms. In their discussions, Arsenal Attorneys highlighted some of the risks they face and discussed how the Arsenal Gun Trust could address their concerns.

A machine gun owned by a private individual cannot be outside his dominion and control. For one of these historians, this means during the weekend-long encampment, he could not entrust his machine gun to a colleague while he went to the lavatory. When his group travels home, he should be concerned about leaving his machine gun in a vehicle with colleagues when they make a rest stop. Once back home, his own spouse may not have access to his safe containing this firearm. Upon his death or incapacitation, his family may be unaware of the rules governing such Class 3 guns according to the National Firearms Act.

Of course such an historian may have difficulty acquiring this piece of history in the first place because he would need to obtain the signature of his local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (CLEO)–who may fail to see the historical significance of such artifacts. Fortunately, for the large audience at this living history event, these historians did manage to display and demonstrate their machine guns among the uniforms, helmets, and tents but risks clearly existed.

The Arsenal Gun Trust can help. It streamlines the acquisition process by enabling an applicant to bypass his CLEO and file directly to BATFE for approval and registration of his Class 3 machine gun. It can be used to authorize others to handle, borrow, transport, and store a machine gun. Ultimately the Arsenal Gun Trust would provided loves ones with invaluable guidance to understand how to lawfully and safely inherit his gun collection.

A Michigan jury acquitted a teen of all charges filed against him after he openly carried his M1 Garand rifle for over an hour on the sidewalks of his community. Specifically, 18 year-old Sean Combs was found not guilty of brandishing a weapon and disturbing the peace, which are misdemeanors punishable by up to $500 in fines and 93 days in jail. Combs, the son of a retired police officer, said he carried his rifle because “It was about freedom of speech and freedom of expression. It’s my way of saying what I believe in.”

In framing Combs’s defense, his attorney, James Makowski, was quoted as saying “I’ve said from the beginning this is not a gun rights case, this is a civil rights case. Birmingham Police violated his civil rights by arresting him that night.”

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/Story_not_found#ixzz20QqYGwpT

If you wish to own a silencer, short barrel rifle or shotgun, or machine gun, you do not need a Class 3 license. Such a license is for the gun dealer or manufacturer who wishes to sell you these NFA or Class III firearms.

An individual, where NFA firearms are permitted, may apply to BATFE for permission to own these firearms; however an individual’s application must include their fingerprints, mug shot, and their local chief law enforcement officer’s (CLEO) signature. Besides these difficulties, an individual owner of NFA guns would be barred from allowing others even the possibility to have access to these firearms outside the owner’s control–this means the combination to a gun safe could not be given to a spouse. Further, in the event the owner dies or becomes incapacitated, his NFA firearms could pose legal problems for his loved ones.

The Arsenal Gun Trust addresses these concerns. By using a trust, the BATFE does not require you to submit fingerprints, mug shots, or your CLEO’s signature. Your Arsenal Gun Trust also may authorize others to have access to your firearms. It also includes a detailed estate plan to help your loved ones inherit your entire gun collection safely and lawfully.

Many people use an Arsenal Gun Trust to own NFA firearms because it simplifies BATFE paperwork, protects gun owners’ privacy, and provides an estate plan; however the Arsenal Gun Trust can also provide a lawful means for others you trust to handle your silencers, short barrel rifles and shotguns, or machine guns–whether in an emergency or for your convenience.

A recent storm illustrated the importance of this benefit. Severe winds, storm, and lightning toppled trees and knocked out power. Imagine your home suffered damage because a tree fell on it. Your home would no longer be secure. You would need to give contractors access to your home to make repairs, and perhaps you would vacate the premises to stay at the home of a friend or relative until electricity is restored.

Under these circumstances you would probably want the option to bring your valuables with you or to ask someone to store them securely for you. In the case of NFA firearms, this could cause legal problems, because they can never be outside your dominion or control. The Arsenal Gun Trust offers a solution to you because it could include the names of those people you wish to store your NFA firearms. According to the special design of the Arsenal Gun Trust, they would have the authority to store your firearms, but you would retain ultimate control of Trust and the property it contains.

This situation illustrates how the Arsenal Gun Trust plays a crucial role in your emergency contingency planning. Like a home alarm or insurance, you hope you never need an emergency plan. When you do need help in an emergency, you should make sure your solution doesn’t cause legal problems for you or for those trying to help you. Like all contingency planning, it needs to be done in advance. Contact us today, and we will offer you a full, private consultation to create an Arsenal Gun Trust for you.

Last week a US Marine was convicted of illegal possession of a machine gun (see story here). Part of what made the story colorful was the fact the gun allegedly belonged to Saddam Hussein or one of his personal body guards. Also, as a combat veteran, the Marine received some sympathy. After all, there is a long tradition of bringing home a war souvenir–particularly enemy firearms.

Arsenal Attorneys are often asked about such firearms families have inherited as treasured and presumably valuable heirlooms, particularly machine guns brought home after World War Two. Unfortunately, machine guns that were improperly imported and never registered according to the National Firearms Act are illegal. Because such situations were so common, the US government granted an amnesty to allow registration of these illegal firearms to make them legal. That amnesty ended long ago.

Regardless of how one thinks about the National Firearms Act or the recently convicted Marine, there is a lesson for us to consider. What if the Marine’s possession of the machine gun had gone undetected. Regardless if he kept it or sold it, the machine gun could one day be inherited by a person completely unaware of the fact it is a crime to possess such a firearm.

Do you own a firearm which could create problems for you or those who could inherit it? If you own lawfully registered NFA firearms, such as machine guns, silencers, and short barrel rifles and shotguns, do your loved ones understand how to handle them safely and lawfully?

Our services related to our Arsenal Gun Trust helps address these issues. We are particularly concerned with providing your loved ones the guidance they need to comply with the law. We help you create an estate plan even for the worst case scenario–your gun collection is inherited by someone who knows nothing about guns or gun laws. We want to provide them the written instructions they will need to stay out of trouble.

Arsenal Attorneys offers its Arsenal Gun Trust services to clients in North Carolina. You can meet us in August at the Dixie Gun and Knife Show in Charlotte. We offer a version of the Arsenal Gun Trust specifically designed for North Carolina. It is a solution to help you own NFA / Class 3 firearms safely and lawfully plus it’s an estate plan you can use for your entire gun collection.

We only serve gun owners. As always, our services are guided by our desire to protect your security, safety, privacy, and liberty.