Why are automatic weapons legal in some American states when they have no use in hunting, or even self defence?
Chris Beall, I have been a gun owner since my teenage years.
Updated 10d ago · Upvoted by Charles Reed, 45 years working on firearms. and Dave Sparazynski, Smallarms expert, probably fired around a half-million rounds over 30 years.
Given your spelling of “defense" as “defence" I'll presume you're not from America, and you're likely from the UK, so I'll explain how things work in America.
Automatic weapons are legal in all states. The possession of automatic weapons has been heavily regulated since the National Firearms Act was enacted in 1934. In order to purchase one, you must purchase a $200 tax stamp. However, the manufacture and import of automatic weapons has been illegal since 1986. Since the manufacture and import has been prohibited for 33 years, the supply is very limited. This makes the average cost of an automatic weapon in the US around $20,000. There is also a very lengthy and arduous background check process which is much MUCH more detailed than the background check process for a semi-auto, revolver, bolt action, lever action or shotgun. It takes about a year for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to approve each purchase.
It is this cost and background check that makes the possession of automatic weapons in the US very rare, and a province of the wealthy, gun ranges and collectors.
Now to address your insistence that automatic weapons have no use in self-defense or hunting. I wouldn't hunt with an automatic, but I could certainly use one for self-defense. But that isn't the point. Your question shows that you don't understand the 2nd Amendment to our Constitution.
Having a use for hunting or self-defense is irrelevant. We have the human right to self-defense. A firearm is the most efficient self-defense tool ever invented. An automatic, while some may argue isn't good for self-defense is. Our Constitution recognizes and protects our right to keep and bear arms.
Whether we need one for a specific purpose doesn't matter. It's a right. It's a right that we take seriously.
Poster Comment:
And here is another Brit that knows nothing of our Constitution.