Good morning guys!

So I was sitting talking weapons with my soldiers, and how I like guns/equipment outside of our PMOS.

Well one soldier was stating that they liked the fact that a shorter rifle was easier to use etc. I told them that anything under a 16.1 OBL that didn't have a pinned and welded muzzle device permanently attached was considered an NFA item and required a tax stamp and several months of agonizing patience.

One soldier asked "Well how would the NFA or anyone else know that you didn't have a tax stamp etc". I gave them several reasons such as integrity, no paperwork, engraved lower receiver etc, but they kept pressing more into how does the NFA not know? "It's not like they're going to show up at your house and raid your house or even prove that the NFA item is yours if you had photos up"

Once again went back to integrity but ... I told them I'd get them an answer since several of them are now seeking someone to do a trust while several of them think that it's a dumb idea. While I agree it's stupid that we should be able to legally have these things without a tax stamp etc, it's the law and we as law abiding gun owners must follow the laws to not ruin it for everyone else as much as we can.

So how would they know?

Well, it's like most other illegal stuff: The authorities WON'T know as long as you stay in your house and nothing unexpected happens.

Take it to the range and someone asks ... busted.
A crime happens at your house (like a break-in) and the cops are there and see it ... busted.

Whatever. Shit happens.

Well either way l don't think they understood the whole thing about integrity and the fact that you'll go to jail... lol

Here's a Washington state example of someone who got busted:
http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-new ... gal-rifle/

Bad shit happens when you don't expect it. This isn't a "594, wink wink, nudge nudge, cops have better things to do" kind of deal. This is felony, orange jumpsuit kind of deal. Don't mess with the NFA. Interestingly, they also get you on a tax evasion charge, the penalty for which is federal prison time.

That guy was an idiot. Not saying it's a good idea to keep illegal weapons, just that he wouldn't be in his predicament if he hadn't run his mouth and tried to sell it.

Caught doing the crime now your doing time.
Also loss of future gun rights.

In AR-Pistol configuration it would be legal. To buttstock or not-buttstock, that is the question. It is all a matter of what the actual owner wants. Personally I say both.

How do you talk about integrity in the world we live in? You work hard, play by the rules and some douche bag gets over on the system because of a technicality, while you are trying to do the right thing. Integrity is one word that soldiers have had a hard time dealing with for many years. In my opinion, I told my soldiers that if you do not believe in the system, if you question the outside and the authority, if you ever have any doubts, you will have integrity with the unit and the soldiers to the left and right of you above all else. That is not the answer you were looking for, but how do you explain that to someone that is still experiencing life.

Good luck.