The YouTube channel CRS Firearms, and Matt, the guy that does it has always been a bit gringey but sometimes amusing anyhow. So the story, as I understand it is that when the Florida company produced the AutoKeyCard, a novelty business card size of metal with the image of a SWD Lightning Link engraved on the metal (not pre-cut but laser engraved on the surface), the ATF determined that it was a "machine gun". I believe they were leaning on the wording in 26 U.S. Code § 5845 (b) which states: (b)Machinegun
The term “machinegun” means any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.
At any rate, the company making it sponsored the YouTube channel and that channel (CRS) showed it and was compensated. Then, when the "AFT" shut down the company, the YouTuber did a GoFundMe for the owner of that company whom had become a friend to help with his defense expenses because he believed he was innocent and that if we don't fight the overreach then the next time one of us buys a dummy grenade paperweight, prints a picture of an illegal item, draws the picture of a DIAS or Link on a piece of paper, then we would, by precedent, be committing a felony according that broad interpretation. Seems that now, just a visual representation of something illegal is being called illegal. I mean, I would not have bought one because I don't like lawyers that much but the precedent seems a bit scary. So the YouTuber is being charged with "Conspiracy" because of the GoFundMe and with "Sponsorship" or something like that for taking money from and allegedly promoting an illegal item for money.
Aside from the CRS guy being a bit of a doof, I see an interesting Court case here for sure. The precedent will be chilling if they are able to make the "illustration = real" and subject to prosecution.
The term “machinegun” means any weapon which shoots, is designed to shoot, or can be readily restored to shoot, automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger. The term shall also include the frame or receiver of any such weapon, any part designed and intended solely and exclusively, or combination of parts designed and intended, for use in converting a weapon into a machinegun, and any combination of parts from which a machinegun can be assembled if such parts are in the possession or under the control of a person.
At any rate, the company making it sponsored the YouTube channel and that channel (CRS) showed it and was compensated. Then, when the "AFT" shut down the company, the YouTuber did a GoFundMe for the owner of that company whom had become a friend to help with his defense expenses because he believed he was innocent and that if we don't fight the overreach then the next time one of us buys a dummy grenade paperweight, prints a picture of an illegal item, draws the picture of a DIAS or Link on a piece of paper, then we would, by precedent, be committing a felony according that broad interpretation. Seems that now, just a visual representation of something illegal is being called illegal. I mean, I would not have bought one because I don't like lawyers that much but the precedent seems a bit scary. So the YouTuber is being charged with "Conspiracy" because of the GoFundMe and with "Sponsorship" or something like that for taking money from and allegedly promoting an illegal item for money.
Aside from the CRS guy being a bit of a doof, I see an interesting Court case here for sure. The precedent will be chilling if they are able to make the "illustration = real" and subject to prosecution.