I’d been meaning to buy an AR-15 for quite a while. In 2012, clever lad that I am, I said to myself, “I’ll just wait until after the election and the Christmas rush blow over, and then I’ll buy something in 2013 after demand has fallen a little.” Ah, the best laid schemes of mice an’ men gang aft agley . . .
With cash burning a hole in my pocket, but not being foolish enough to spend it on an AR during the post-Newtown panic (and willing to bet that, politically, Feinstein and Obama wouldn’t be able to resurrect the Clinton-era ban no matter what), I looked for something else to spend my money on. As luck would have it, I ran across an article Nick wrote about the Civilian Marksmanship Program. I spent the money I’d been saving for an AR, and two months later, I received an M1 Garand plus a proverbial metric ton of ammo.
The CMP is a great program. It’s specifically authorized by an act of Congress to sell surplus military firearms, ammunition, parts and other items via direct mail order (without the need for an FFL) to U.S. citizens who meet the eligibility requirements (must be at least18 years of age, legally able to purchase a firearm, be a member of a CMP club, and be involved in a marksmanship-related activity, which includes people who have a license to carry firearms. The funds from the firearms sales help fund various CMP marksmanship training and shooting events. It is a great program.
One thing the CMP isn’t authorized to do, however, is sell pistols. Congressman Mike Rogers (R-AL), is proposing to change that. A press release from his office stated:
“As a gun owner and strong believer in the Second Amendment, my proposal is a common-sense approach to eliminating an unnecessary cost to the Federal government while allowing the very capable CMP to handle the sale of these vintage firearms that otherwise would just sit in storage. This amendment is a win – win for the taxpayer. I was pleased the amendment passed the committee and appreciate the support my colleagues on this proposal,” Rogers said.
Currently, the Army stores excess M1911A1 pistols, which used to be the standard U.S. Armed Forces sidearm, until it was replace[d] by the Berretta 9mm pistol. Besides the 8,300 pistols that have been sold to law enforcement and transferred to foreign countries for a small price, the rest of the M1911A1 pistols are now being held in storage costing the taxpayer around $200,000 a year.
The amendment Rogers drafted was included with the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, which cleared the House Armed Services Committee on April 29.
In an article by WVTM News, Congressman Rogers remarked, “I’m sure a lot of collectors around the country are going to be happy that these are going to be available to them.”
Darned right we are, Congressman. I’ve been wanting a vintage 1911 for quite some time!