Congress to Clinton: Revisit Decision on M1 Rifles and M1 Carbines

Congress to Clinton: Revisit Decision on M1 Rifles and M1 Carbines

M-1 Garand Rifle
Clinton Blocking Return Of Surplus M1 Garands Rifles From Korea
National Rifle Association
National Rifle Association

Charlotte, NC –-(Ammoland.com)- U.S. senators and representatives from both sides of the aisle are urging Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton to revisit the State Department’s March 2010 decision disallowing the importation of M1 rifles and M1 carbines from South Korea.

In a letter to Secretary Clinton, Sen. John Cornyn (R-Tex.) and 15 other senators state that the importation disapproval “amounts to no more than a backdoor gun ban that lacks any basis or justification under current Federal law and policy” and “violates law-abiding citizens’ constitutional right, protected under the Second Amendment, to purchase these firearms for legitimate purposes such as target shooting, hunting, collecting, and self-protection.”

The senators question the department’s opinion that the rifles “could potentially be exploited by individuals seeking firearms for illicit purposes,” and request from Secretary Clinton “an explanation of your reasons for blocking the importation and sale of American-made rifles from South Korea.”

In a separate letter to Secretary Clinton, Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.) also disagreed with the department’s opinion that importation of the rifles would constitute a public safety risk, saying “The importation of these antique rifles . . . does not pose a security threat to our nation.” Sen. Webb added, “Hundreds of thousands of these firearms are already in the United States, and substantially more advanced and powerful firearms are already available.”

In another letter to Clinton, Congressman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and 65 other members of the House also objected to the department’s stated concern that the rifles might be “exploited . . . for illicit purposes,” calling it “a reiteration of tired arguments by gun control advocates.” The Boozman letter also noted “these are the very same types of rifles that have been sold by the federal government to civilians for decades through the Civlian Marksmanship Program.”

In yet another letter to Clinton, Congressman Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) and 44 other members of the House of Representatives noted that “the M1 is one of the two rifles most commonly used at the National Matches, a marksmanship competition authorized by federal law” and that “there are separate competitions dedicated to each of the two rifles” (the M1 rifle and the M1 carbine). Rep. Donnelly’s letter, like Sen. Cornyn’s, noted that NICS checks would be required on any of the rifles sold in the United States, as would be the case with any imported firearm.

Meanwhile Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), who signed Rep. Donnelly’s letter, has introduced H.R. 6240, The Collectible Firearms Protection Act, which would allow for the importation of lawfully importable U.S.-origin surplus firearms without the approval of the Departments of State or Defense.

Of course, anti gun Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), who on several occasions has introduced legislation that would ban the M1 rifle and the M1 carbine as “assault weapons” didn’t sign either the Boozman or Donnelly letters.

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Jerry Brewer

They definitely should be allowed to come to the U.S. and be sold to the public. They are very well made and depending upon their currant condition could still give years of service and enjoyment to a lot of people. As far as cutting into the sale of the CMP rifles, big deal they are getting way too much for the ones they sell now, even so any devaluation on current Grands and Carbines would only be temporary. As to the second amendment and gun ownership, do you ever wonder why Switzerland was left alone, even though surrounded by the… Read more »

Bama

Someone complained about South Korea making a profit selling their M1's. Do they not own these rifles? Making a profit – it's called capitalism! We need the rifles in the U.S. to sell (and also make a profit), AND preserve them. We need to keep them from being destroyed. To suggest disposing of them in the sea is ludicrous! Such a suggestion only emboldens the anti-gunners! Wake up!! They are relics! You don't get valued products for nothing anymore. Would the prices not remain competitive once the marked is flooded? The 15 senators are to be commended for trying to… Read more »

Ga Jr Shooting Sport

Not so fast… The South Korean Government is trying to sell the Rifles and keep the profit. This issue is not about rifles returned to the US Army and then to CMP, this is the Koreans trying to import rifles that would compete on the US Market with the CMP. That's just not right, and could "De-value" the rifles CMP is selling. I say either return the rifles to the US Army for disposal thru CMP, or dump them at Sea! The Koreans should not be allowed to profit from rifles we loaned them, at the expense of CMP Junior… Read more »

Bob Sawyer

THESE ARE AMERICAN MADE WAEPONS THAT WERE ON LOAN TO THE S. KOREANS , NOW THEY WANT TO RETURN THEM , ALL ARE OVER 50yrs. OLD AND THAT WOULD MEAN THAT THE CMP WOULD THAK THE RIFLES AND INSOECT, TEAR DOWN CLEAR , REPAIR . SORT GOOD PARTS FROM BAD, RE-ASSEMBLE LABLE FROM FAIR TO EXCELLENT CONDITION MARK PRICE FOR SALE AMD SELL TO RIFLR CLUBB(ONLY) THAT ARE QUALIFIED WITH THE CMP AND THE FED'S AND THE PERSON MAKING THE PURSHASE 1st. MUST PASS THE "NCIS" CHECK BEFORE TAKING OWNERSHIP.! .."AMERICAN'S".. HAVE THE RIGHT TO OWN A PIECE OF "AMERICAN… Read more »

shark60

And the all powerful BATF has stated these icons are a threat? I have a 300 mag that has far more range than the 30-06 Garand. My Remington 270 will equal the Garand in accuracy. My old M1 Carbine is an excellent armadillo gun out to @100 yards. Of course it has digested a few thousand rounds. Not because of it's accuracy but because it is just fun to shoot. Don't blame the pols! Blame the BATF fighting to retain their legitimacy. A Nazi orginization trying to retain some reason for their existance. Remember their WACO FIASCO!!!!

one shot

M1 rifles and 30 carbines have been on the market for years. Our comunist hillary clinton is trying to make this country defensless, if she can. Dont let this happen, vote out the dems in November.

slobo

The Chinese are shipping hundred of thousands of brand new SKS to the States currently…so, the Rasool Obama administration doesn't want the M1 inventory to impact sales of SKS.

johnny T.

I have had a M1 Caribine that was bought through the NRA program back in 1964 It hasn't shot anything except Deer and targets, Still works good today as it did when it was manifactured.

Johnny T

joe bideau

hey, this is the communist lady that signed the UN gun ban…You know what will be next–Registraion. Then shortly after that confiscation, then–knocks on the door at midnight, and you disapear if you have everbeen on a city council etc- educated, have a house full of books, ever been on the net moving shit to put the dems out of business etc..It all happens fast -Like in Chec Republic, Germany, China, Russia.. Just one step at a time..The Dems must be shut down in three weeks… Lets all get with it

DDS -- NRA Life Memb

"Of course, anti gun Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy (D-N.Y.), who on several occasions has introduced legislation that would ban the M1 rifle and the M1 carbine as “assault weapons” didn’t sign either the Boozman or Donnelly letters."

Why the heck would she do that? Neither one has "that shoulder thing that goes up."