How could this be? you ask?

In their quest for a gun free and thereby violence free society they have denied re-importation of approximately 100,000 M-1 Garand and M-1 Carbine Rifles from our long time ally, South Korea.

In August 2010, after first giving approval, the Obama Administration blocked the South Korean government’s program of selling the weapons to American collectors and enthusiasts.

These rifles, approximately 27,000 M-1 Garands Carbines and 86,000 M-1 Garands were left in South Korea after their war with the North.  The country holds roughly 640,000 of the carbines in their strategic reserves.

Given their role in both WWII and the Korean War, many Guns and Patriots readers are alive today because a father or grand father carried one of these well built, reliable, easy to maintain, and accurate American-made rifles. 

Gen. George S. Patton Jr., was a great fan of the weapon. Describing the M-1 Garand, he called it: “The greatest battle implement ever devised.” High praise indeed. 

The M-1 Garand is a rifleman’s rifle!  What self respecting son or grandson, or even granddaughter wouldn’t want to own their dad’s WWII rifle?

There were approximately six million M-1 Garand rifles produced with a WWII-era production cost of $85 each. The rifle’s development began in the late 1920’s as a replacement for the 1903 Springfield bolt action rifle of WWI fame. After its acceptance into the inventory, it was improved throughout the 1930s—including overcoming production difficulties.

It was also during the 1930s when it became obvious that rifle, because of its size and weight, was not suited for non-infantry combat and combat support troops. These soldiers needed a weapon that was lighter and easier to carry while performing their primary duties. 

Although already in the inventory, the 1911 .45 pistol was difficult to make and relatively expensive. The same was true for the Thompson sub-machine gun. The solution was to make a carbine length and weight rifle. During WWII, it was put into production with approximately 6.5 million produced at a cost of $45.

Over the years multiplied thousands of these artifacts of American history have been re-introduced to the American gun market. 

Even today, you can get your own surplus M-1 Garand from the Civilian Marksmanship Program, or you can get a brand spankin’ new M-1 Garand or M-1 Carbine from a number of domestic manufactures.  Neither version of the M-1 has ever been illegal to purchase or use nor have their parts been illegal to own.

These rifle types are highly desirable for the collector. The CMP and the NRA sponsor and support many competitive matches featuring these rifles exclusively.  They are great fun to own and shoot, and if the need arises, they can be used for home protection.

So why then are President Obama and Secretary of State Clinton denying American citizens the opportunity to own a piece of history?

They claim that these rifles might fall into the wrong hands. These obsolete and antique rifles could be dangerous. They could be smuggled to terrorists, gangs or other people with bad intentions. 

Pardon me a few minutes while I laugh out loud at these suppositions.

OK, I’m back. 

As far as I know of the thousands of M-1 Garands and M-1 Carbines ever returned to the public, reported criminal activity is virtually nonexistent. And thank God for my DVR. When I see a report on a drug gang takedown and see the display of their arsenal I pause the story to examine the haul. 

I can’t recall ever seeing M-1 Garands or the Carbines on the table.  I do see a lot of AK-type rifles and RPG’s that can be had for a song by the container load for the enterprising drug lord operation.

Can you imagine a cartel soldier holding his nine-pound M-1 Garand sideways while attempting to spray his opponent with 8 rounds of.30-06? 

All the while his thumb is heavily bandaged because he has “M-1 Thumb.” What a hoot. He might overcome his opponent with laughter but not with his M-1 prowess. Or how about using an M1 Garand for a drive by shooting?

As for the rifles falling into the wrong hands; are the gun laws not going to be observed in the transfer of these rifles?

Are the usual background checks going to be made? Why are we subjected to all this fraud from an administration that is caught up in the vortex of their gun walker scandal? 

Sadly we are stuck on the yellow brick road with straw men, empty tin suits, and no courage.