Warbird Information Exchange

When I first saw this thread yesterday at about 4pm, the comment appeared to have been
removed. I've double checked and don't find it. (Hope my brain fart switch ain't stuck in ON)

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He bowls overhand...He is the most interesting man in the world.
"In Peace Japan Breeds War", Eckstein, Harper and Bros., 3rd ed. 1943(1927, 1928,1942)
"Leave it to ol' Slim. I got ideas...and they're all vile, baby." South Dakota Slim
"Ahh..."The Deuce", 28,000 pounds of motherly love." quote from some Mojave Grunt
DBF

A Fighter is considered a weapon or war regardless of whether it is armed or not. You still need State Department permission to import or export one. The guns were just a bonus in this case.

I containerized a Fighter for export to a different Country many years ago and explained to the Seller/Buyer that they needed State Department permission to export it, but they new better. The ship was stopped at sea, turned around and ordered to the nearest port (another Country) to offload the container, which it did. The container sat on the dock in another Country for over a year until the proper paperwork was submitteed and the export wasapproved by the State Department.

Having been in the firearms business for several years, and having dealings with the BATFE, I can tell you that importing ANY full auto weapon into the states, without proper paper work, (which is virtually impossible for a civilian) is a prime way to get your rear in a sling. Since 1986 there can be no new full autos manufactured and since 1968 there can be no registration of exisiting guns that weren't registered during the amnesty period of 1968, unless they are for military, law enforcement or some manufacturing instances.
If the BATFE wanted to play hardball it is a 100K fine and up to 10 years in prison for EACH gun found to be illegally possesed. As for donating them to a museum, can't happen as the crime (importation without permits) has already been committed. He should have a museum take up the fight to import them and have them properly demilled.
I do feel very sorry for the gent, but wherever, or whoever, he got the idea from that he could just bring stuff like that in without proper permits will end up causing him no end of heartache.

I guess I'm just kind of fidgety! I know there is a lesson to be learned, I'm just not sure which one. There are so many ways to get tangled up here.

Just what in the heck does everyone expect from ATF/DHS? Do you really expect them to work as they should? We are talking about the government organization that believes (according to its leader) that their system worked perfectly in relation to the recent underwear bomber incident.

I expect that if I want to own a machine gun then they expect me to have the correct paperwork for it.

What is so hard to understand about that?

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Always looking for WW2 Half-Tracks and Parts.

You guys are right. If there's a protocol to followed and forms to be filled out in an import his big, then you do it. Frankly, I'm surprised that things escalated this far. I assumed the buyer was a smart guy, was working with a top notch broker, and that all involved would perform their due diligence. Obviously, whether the intent was malicious or innocent, the import did not go well.

That said, I'm disappointed that this appears to remain unresolved and particularly troubled by early reports that the plane would have to be destroyed. Surely cool and balanced minds can prevail.

Ken

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"Take care of the little things and the big things will take care of themselves."

It depends on the individual. My Dad was a FFL with a Class 3 SOT. When he died, I secured his extensive collection of firearms. Upon his death I called the local branch of the ATF and informed them I had taken the firearms fromthe empty dead man's house to secure and what forms to fill out. Within a few days the NFA had the paperwork. I was more than honest with them. I found 1 firearm was a dealer sample, and I could not legally own it. I informed the NFA I had the firearm secured with the others (now transferred to me) and was in the process of finding a dealer to sell the firearm to. I was accused of being in illegal possesion of a restricted firearm and threatened with jail. They wanted me to return the firearm to my dad's empty relatively unsecure house. If I did not they would come after me. I thought it was a bad idea to put a firearm in an empty house, especially when everyone knew it was empty, and everyone knew he had a big collection. After many phone calls and discussions we ended up securing the firearm in the local police armory.

If the intent of the law is to keep firearms out of the wrong hands, why have me return the firearm to a dead man's empty house?

If I was also already approved to own other firearms (with the knowledge of that same police chief) why not let me secure that single firearm until sale. I was also told to sell "at any price". I asked "even $1?" and was basically told to sell a $9000 firearm for a dollar.

In some ways I really feel the some of the people I tried to work with enjoyed using their power over me in my time of need and grief.

On the otherhand, they bend over backward for illegal immigrants, yet they gain intense pleasure screwing those of us who actually try to play by the rules and be honest and up front. You would think I was Al Capone.

This whole thing still leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Whatever your personal experiences and opinions of the French and France are, kindly refrain from posting derogatory opinions about them on this public forum. They are uncalled for, offensive to some, and way out of place here.

Thank you so much.

Oh Please if you know Mr. Downing then you would understand his humor further more I bet your one of those folks who go up to Mr. Downing and tell him he has the wrong color paint on his Skyraider and that he is running the wrong type of Oil.

Rob I thought you were just Buzzking over on the Pacific Wrecks forum when you're fighting with Chris ie HVD IV??

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Don't touch my junk!!

jeez, the comment you're so offended by was made almost a entire year ago. anyway it was/ is funny as heck

The ATF bends over backward for illegal immigrants?

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Always looking for WW2 Half-Tracks and Parts.

No, our Marxist gov't does. NFA/ATF are part of that. They still can't figure out "the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed."

My bigger point is why, when we actually go to them for help in an open and honest way do they try to screw us?

Last I checked, from the POTUS down to the last beancounter, they all work for we the people. I tried to do the right thing in the right way and keep a firearm out of the hands of the bad guys. I was accused of breaking the law and threatened with jail time. All for calling them up and asking how to best secure the item.

I guess I'd have been better off to break the law then beg for amnesty and a DNC voting card.

The gov't does not seem to be there to help the law abiding, tax paying, hard working citizen.

On the otherhand when I mentioned Class III firearms to the NRA (I'm a life member and my dad was elected to the board of directors) they too ran away. I knew the law was I could not keep the firearm, I just wanted to keep it in a safe place until I made a deal to sell for a fair price.

How would you feel if the FAA would not approve your medical, then made you sell your airplane at 1% of its fair market value?