"There are generally three ways to own a NFA weapon: as an individual, through a gun trust, or as a Limited Liability Company (LLC). Legal possession of an NFA firearm by an individual requires transfer of registration within the NFA registry. An individual owner does not need to be an NFA dealer to buy Title II. The sale and purchase of NFA is, however, taxed and regulated, as follows:
All NFA items must be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Private owners wishing to purchase an NFA item must obtain approval from the ATF, pass an extensive background check to include submitting a photograph and fingerprints, fully register the firearm, receive ATF written permission before moving the firearm across state lines, and pay a tax.[21] The request to transfer ownership of an NFA item is made on an ATF Form 4.[22]"
Since he was not able to legally obtain a firearm capable of the rate of fire observed without an extensive background check and federal registration through the ATF, there are three possible ways he could have obtained these weapons:
1- The ATF background check (typically an 8-12 month process) did not discover any issues that would have red-flagged him from being able to legally establish an NFA Title II trust and purchase these types of firearms, along with the required tax stamp issued by the ATF.
2- He purchased the firearms illegally, through a black-market source either in the US, or smuggled from abroad. Could also be a legitimate dealer who illegally sold the firearm to him, but not likely at all, since that weapon can still be traced back to the FFL. A legitimate dealer doing that would be about as smart as stealing a cell phone and using it with the original SIM card. They're pretty much guaranteed to get caught.
3- He, or someone else, illegally manufactured the weapons, or illegally modified a standard single-shot weapon. Both of these require a great deal of skill, and access to expensive manufacturing equipment. However, there are cases of illegal firearms being made by hand in places like the Philippines. Based on the performance of the weapons in the video, they were not likely made by hand.
Not trying to argue one way or the other. Just stating what we know, in order to narrow down the next logical step in determining how this could happen. It is very clear that he didn't just walk into the local gun store and buy these off the shelf without an extensive amount of oversight, or at least that oversight being required by law. We can't at this point rule out a failure in the human element throughout the process(corrupt/inept govt officials, dealer acting illegally, etc.). Hopefully we will get more details as the investigation moves on in the near future.
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