“...I mentioned that full auto weapons have been illegal since the days of Al Capone. Everyone’s jaws dropped. They thought I was crazy.”
From 1934 (when the National Firearms Act was signed into law) until May 16, 1986, any person who acquired the appropriate tax stamp from the BATF (or one of its legal predecessors) could obtain a brand-spanking-new full auto firearm (or a used one, if that’s what they wanted). The tax stamp cost $200 (prohibitive in 1934 for the average person, not so much later on), and you also had to pass a background check and get your local chief LEO to approve.
From May 17, 1986 to the present, you can still get a full auto firearm in the same manner, but not one manufactured after May 16, 1986 (IOW, the supply was frozen as of the end of that day).
The approximate number of full autos in the hands of “civilians” (or, more properly, citizens) is 200,000. They are perfectly legal. FYI, I believe that only one such weapon, in the last 81+ years, was used in the commission of a crime, and that by an off-duty police officer (so much for them being more law-abiding than average citizens).
Practically speaking, you are correct - most people (even shooters) never even SEE a full auto in person, let alone fire it, let alone own it. But it IS legal to own one (just expensive and requiring that you cut through a bunch of red tape).
That all being said, I want our rights restored: 82 years ago and before, you could walk into a store that sold firearms, plunk down the purchase price, and walk out with a full auto - no questions asked. THAT is liberty, the liberty that the Founding Fathers bequeathed to us.
Good point.