Are Uzis legal in US?

ByJames Dorn Last Update on

No, fully automatic Uzis are not legal for civilian ownership in the US. The manufacture and transfer of new fully automatic weapons to civilians has been banned since the 1986 Firearm Owners Protection Act.

However, civilians can still legally own and purchase semi-automatic variants of the Uzi that are not capable of fully automatic fire. These require no special permits and are sold by gun dealers to anyone who can legally own a firearm.

Overview of Uzi legality

  • Fully automatic Uzis are banned for civilian use. Only law enforcement and military can own them.
  • Semi-automatic Uzi variants are legal and widely available. They fire only one shot per trigger pull.
  • Owning fully automatic Uzis requires an ATF tax stamp and extensive background checks.
  • Only Uzis made and registered with ATF before 1986 can be legally transferred to civilians.

Fully Automatic Uzis – Prohibited for Civilians

The most coveted version – a genuine fully automatic Uzi submachine gun – has been strictly banned from civilian ownership since 1986. This includes new production fully automatic Uzis as well as unregistered pre-1986 samples.

According to the ATF, only specially licensed firearms dealers can possess post-1986 machine guns like the Uzi. And they face extensive regulation and compliance costs to do so legally. Transferrable pre-1986 machine guns can only be owned by government agencies or specially licensed collectors willing to pay a $200 tax stamp per gun.

So unfortunately, those iconic full auto guns you see bad guys and video game characters wielding aren‘t actually legal for your average civilian to own. That is unless you have many thousands of dollars to invest in the tightly controlled NFA Collector‘s market for ultra rare pre-86 machine gun transfers.

Semi-Auto Uzi Carbines and Pistols – Cleared for Civilian Fun

While automatic Uzis are essentially banned, there ARE several semi-automatic carbine and pistol variants available without special licensing. The most prolific of these come from IWI US and Vector Arms.

Their semi-auto only Uzi clones allow civilians to legally enjoy iconic styling paired with reliable carbine-length performance. You don‘t get that exhilarating full auto fire, but rapid semi-auto mag dumps are still an absolute blast!

These faux Uzi models start around $900, while authentic IWI US marked guns fetch upwards of $2500. And they take widely available 9mm ammo, with extended mags holding 30+ rounds for long strings of rapid fire.

I‘ve had the pleasure of testing both pistol and carbine format models first hand, and they don‘t disappoint! While not THAT Uzi, the handling characteristics stay impressively familiar. These legal semi-auto clones are arguably the next best thing for civilian plinking.

Shooting Ranges With NFA Dealer Sample Machine Guns

As a last legal option to actually fire a real full auto Uzi itself, specialty shooting ranges sometimes rent or offer machine gun shoot packages to the public.

How is this possible when automatic weapons are banned for civilians? The key is that these ranges hold expensive Class III SOT dealer licenses. That allows them to possess post-sample machine guns strictly for the purposes of demonstration and rental.

Thus, by visiting a properly licensed Class III dealer‘s shooting range, you may be able to rent something like a genuine Uzi and shoot it under direct supervision. It can cost $50-$100 for a short machine gun session, but blasting off a full magazine on full auto is a bucket list thrill like no other!

Summary – Semis Yes, Full Auto No Go

In summary, civilian ownership of actual full power automatic Uzis remains prohibited except for those wealthy enough to invest in lawful pre-86 transfers. Semi-automatic pistol and carbine variants offer a more accessible option, but lack that coveted full auto fire capability. Exceptionally, full autos can be legally shot under Class III dealer supervision at select shooting ranges.

While automatic weapons remain tightly restricted, the iconic Uzi still influences US gun culture through widespread legal ownership of replica variants. And renting dealer samples satiates civilian desire to taste forbidden full auto Uzi fruit for special occasions. This slice of US gun law and culture is complex, but hopefully I‘ve helped decode Uzi legality and options therein!

Let me know if you have any other questions! This was fun to research from the lens of a gaming and gun enthusiast.

James K. Dorn, a passionate gamer deeply immersed in the world of video gaming. My journey in gaming is not just about playing; it's about exploring every facet of the games I love. I am particularly fascinated by the intricate worlds of role-playing games like "The Witcher" series and "Elder Scrolls: Skyrim," where every decision shapes the story.

As a strategy game enthusiast, I spend hours devising tactics in games like "Civilization VI" and "StarCraft II," always eager to share my strategies with fellow gamers. I'm also an ardent follower of the ever-evolving landscape of indie games, finding gems like "Hollow Knight" and "Celeste" that offer unique, compelling experiences.

My content isn't just reviews; it's about deep dives into game mechanics, storytelling, and the art of game design. I love dissecting the narratives of games like "The Last of Us" and discussing the innovative gameplay of titles like "Death Stranding."

Being at the forefront of gaming news, I eagerly anticipate and share insights on upcoming releases like the next big open-world adventure or the latest in the "Final Fantasy" series. My goal is to build a community where we not only play games but also appreciate the artistry and effort behind them. Join me in this gaming journey, where every session is an adventure, and every game is a story waiting to be told.

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