Dumb question about Blackwater mercs - need a little help

[derby378]

Since the passage of the Firearm Owners Protection Act of 1986, the only people who can legally possess an automatic weapon manufactured after March 1986 are the military, law enforcement, government agents such as FBI/CIA/NSA, and a special class of civilians known as Special Occupation Taxpayers (SOTs) such as qualified firearms dealers who are authorized to sell automatic weapons to LE/government agencies.

Which brings me to the front-line, rank-and-file Blackwater contractor. Are these mercenaries legally considered SOTs by the government?

NOTE: Edited to clarify FOPA provisions on NFA weapons.

[Rex]

1. Can mercs walk down US streets with machine guns?

[derby378]

3. I believe Blackwater mercs have already done so in New Orleans

[Rex]

5. I know the state police drove up and down the streets.

[bananas]

8. Yes, they were shown on DemocracyNow

http://www.democracynow.org/2005/9/12/overkill_feared_blackwater_mercenaries_deploy_in

<snip>

And what’s significant is that the way it’s being reported and the way the company is presenting it is that they are here to help with the hurricane relief efforts, but they told us clearly that they are engaged in quote, “stopping criminals” and that they’re actually patrolling the streets. In fact, we saw them take over a building on Bourbon Street when we were walking around with them. And now they have set up shop there on Bourbon Street in the French Quarter. So this is very, very disturbing, I think, for anyone who knows the record of Blackwater. Of course, they do not ask questions first. They shoot first, and that is their reputation in Iraq. And so, Americans should be asking right now what these kinds of trained killers are doing on the streets of New Orleans, apparently on contract from the Department of Homeland Security.

AMY GOODMAN: And Jeremy, as we went around, saw other figures, we didn’t know who they worked for, like those in front of Hibernia Bank, as we were driving by and John Hamilton was filming. They flagged down our car. They said, “Stop the filming.” And we said, “Why?” And they said, “We just said ‘stop the filming.’” They said, “These are our streets,” and made clear next to their sports shirt, you could see clearly that they were carrying guns.

JEREMY SCAHILL: Yes, that’s right. And they also alleged that they had been deputized. And another key point is that these Blackwater guys said that they were given the authority to use lethal force, as well as the power to make arrests. And when we asked them about this use of them in the United States, they said that they believe that we’re going to see a lot more of this and that this is a trend. So, I think that this is a very, very disturbing development that we are seeing here on the streets of New Orleans, Amy.

<snip>

[Pavulon]

2. Yep.

the company can legally purchase and own class 3 weapons. The company can purchase on "letterhead".

I would not think the employee could take his duty weapon home.

[dusmcj]

4. bet they don't "possess" them, the corp does

access would be strictly controlled to the owning corp's private property while in the US. There are various options for ownership of NFA weapons, I suspect this one may be used.

This is speculation on my part.

There must also be legal provisions for licensed agents to carry FA cause you can bet that private security in the US isn't only running semiauto. The military/gov't/industrial complex at work...

Interesting tidbit: there was recently a huge stink about UN security carrying FA weaps in NYC no less without the proper paperwork...

[MADem]

6. They work for the state department. NT

[aikoaiko]

7. IIRC, there was a amendment passed 2 years ago that allowed certain corp. to get new select fire gun

I remember reading about and thinking it would serve security firms well and might be a foot in the door to allowing civilians purchase post 1986 select fires.

[derby378]

9. Interesting...

So all I'd have to do is take a few security classes, get a DBA and some letterhead, and then I could petition the Feds for SOT status?

It's probably nowhere near that simple, but I see your point.

[dusmcj]

10. easier

what classes ? you need to be able to pass an FBI background check and have a chief LEO in your county who's receptive to private MG ownership. Or, you form a limited liability corporation (note corps must show that they actively conduct business), or a particular form of trust, and you even skip the CLEO signoff IIRC. You just pay your $200 tax stamp and off you go. Assuming you live in a C3 state of course.

BTW in terms of investments, Class3 weaps are apparently excellent, holding value well and in fact appreciating over decades.