U.S. SENATE –-(Ammoland.com)- More Montana gun collectors will soon be able to own an important piece of firearms’ history, Senator Jon Tester announced today.
The M1 Garand rifle is an American-made firearm used by U.S. forces in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. South Korea has been trying to sell up to 87,000 surplus M1s back to the United States, but the State Department initially blocked re-importation of the firearms over safety concerns.
Tester said the department’s reasoning didn’t make sense, noting that the M1 Garand is legal in the United States. Under pressure from Tester, the State Department recently reversed its decision and will now consider South Korea’s request once an importer is selected.
“From World War II to Korea and Vietnam, M1 Garand rifles played a crucial role in history,” Tester said. “These American-made firearms will always be valued as collector’s items, and law-abiding Americans have the right to keep them under our Constitution’s Second Amendment. I’m glad the State Department listened to my concerns and those of America’s gun collectors.”
After the State Department blocked the rifle’s sale in 2010, Tester proceeded to introduce legislation to allow American-made guns that were given or sold to a foreign government to be re-imported and sold in the U.S. without government interference.
In light of the State Department’s news, Tester said he expects the department to work closely with the Government of South Korea to deliver the firearms to U.S. collectors. The rifles will be sold in the U.S. through the Civilian Marksmanship Program, a non-profit organization that provides surplus firearms to qualified buyers.
Tester, Chairman of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus, recently led the Senate in blocking government funding from being used to advance the United Nations Arms Trade Treaty.
I was wondering about the prices myself. Initially many folks (including me) were alarmed at other reporting which indicated that if they are sold (not given) back to the U.S. then CMP would not get their hands on them and we would face high prices. Yet CMP is a business just like any other business. While many folks have taken advantage of the service they provide, they are still making money from this service. Further, they also kind of have a monopoly on the selling of old service weapons coming from other countries returning loaded stock. Now think about what… Read more »
If the CMP does not get them they cannot sell them for approx $600 either. That being the case we will be seeing the price of a Garand being about a grand.
If they're being purchased by an importer, they will not be going to the CMP.