Blackwater using cache of AK-47s (Full Auto - Illegal)

[RamboLiberal]

The private military company Blackwater has found an unusual way to skirt federal laws that prohibit private parties from buying automatic weapons. Blackwater bought 17 Romanian AK-47s and 17 Bushmasters, gave ownership of the guns to the Camden County sheriff and keeps most of the guns at Blackwater's armory in Moyock.

Tiny Camden County -- population 9,271 -- is one of the most peaceful in North Carolina. In the last 10 years, there have been two murders, three robberies and seven rapes reported. The sheriff has just 19 deputies.

Sheriff Tony Perry said his department has never used the 17 AK-47s outside of shooting practice at Blackwater. None of his 19 deputies are qualified to use the AK-47s, Perry said, and his department's need for automatic weapons is "very minimal."

In the summer of 2005, Blackwater CEO Gary Jackson signed two agreements with Maj. Jon Worthington of the Sheriff's Office. Worthington has worked as a firearms instructor for Blackwater.

"Blackwater has financed the purchase of 17 Romanian AK-47 rifles for the Camden County Sheriff's Office for use by Sheriff's Office," the agreement says. "The Camden County Sheriff's Office will have unlimited access to these rifles for training and qualification, and state of emergency use." Worthington and Jackson also signed an agreement for the purchase of 17 Bushmaster XM15 E2S automatic rifles.

http://www.newsobserver.com/917/story/1116379.html

Thought this story shouldn't be just in the DU Guns forum. Cute way mercenary Blackwater is getting around the rules. :sarcasm:

Rachel Maddow covering the story now.

[east texas lib]

1. Hard to see how this would be of much use to the Sherrifs Dept...

Might be fun to shoot on the range, But if the deputies responded to a LE situation armed with
full auto pop-guns things things could spin out of control very quickly. Those mercs do love
their toys, though.

[frog92969]

2. The only thing full-autos are good for

is hitting a target you can't see (and anything near it).
I hope they don't plan on using these in a civil situation.

[Uncle Joe]

3. They will need them when global warming climate change hits the fan

and starving people line up by the millions to eat fat and juicy Black Water Mercenaries, Black Water knows this. They may not be Angus, they may not be organic and no doubt they're loaded with steroids, but I doubt you will need to worry about Mad Cow Disease.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=3505585&mesg_id=3505585

[Squatch]

4. Full auto is NOT illegal. Private citizens can buy fully automatic weapons

provided they:

1) Are 21 years old or older with no felonies, violent misdemeanors, or dishonorable discharges
2) Fill out an BATF Form 4 (and pay the $200 transfer tax)
3) Submit 2 passport photos to the ATF
4) Get fingerprinted

[ManiacJoe]

5. Plus any regs by the state. (n/t)

[frog92969]

6. Not here in Maryland

We can't have "assault pistols" or derringers either.