Does CMP Converted M14 Sales Upend ATF's Once a Machine Gun Rule?

[Molly B.]

https://www.firearmsnews.com/editorial/cmp-m14-sales-upends-atf-once-a-machine-gun-rule/558353

 

By David Codrea

 

“By special authorization, the CMP is pleased to announce the future availability and sale of surplus M14 rifle,” the Civilian Marksmanship Program announced in July. “Prior to sale, the rifles will be modified to be permanently and irreversibly semi-automatic rifles. The modified semi-automatic M14s will be fully compliant with CMP enabling legislation authorizing the transfer and sale of military surplus .30 caliber rifles.”

 

“This does reflect a significant change in ATF's practical position because for decades, ATF has been of the position that if something was ever a machine gun, its receiver is always and forever a machine gun no matter what,” a video titled “With the CMP M14 Announcement, Did ATF Just Kill ‘Once a Machinegun, always a Machinegun’?” attorney and former Firearms Policy Coalition Director  Matthew Larosiere of the Fudd Busters YouTube channel asked. “But that's not and never was a formal rule. It was never in the statute or a regulation in the first place.” . . .

 

Interesting article - check it out.

[John Q Public]

Very interesting. 

[Smallbore]

I hate to realize the number of m14s the CMP destroyed before this policy change. I suspect the current CMP leadership also hated the destruction thus worked to get the change.

[John Q Public]

On 8/29/2026 at 2:25 PM, Smallbore said:

I hate to realize the number of m14s the CMP destroyed before this policy change. I suspect the current CMP leadership also hated the destruction thus worked to get the change.