Did the mythbusters build an illegal machine gun using a single-action?

[Firethorn]

Okay, I've been binging on mythbuster's lately.  Season 4, episode 23 - they're testing a gunslinger myth.  6 shots before a silver dollar hits the ground.

Grant builds a machine that holds the trigger down (so the hammer swings free), and a motor rotates - continuously recocking the hammer.  6 shots off in less than a second.

One interesting tidbit - He was using a cap and ball pistol.

I'm hardly worried about them doing what they did - the 'machine gun' isn't exactly mobile, being mounted to a table and requiring an electrical supply to power the motor - for six shots.  When if you give them access to other equipment, you have things like their air cannon.

But would the ATF be coming down on them if they weren't a popular 'educational' TV show beloved by the president, among other people?

As another note -they give 'legal warnings' a number of times that I think is actually legal.  Such as the flamethrower.

[Regolith]

I think the "cap and ball" pistol part pretty much keeps it from being NFA, as blackpowder firearms aren't really considered firearms per federal law.

In fact, that's probably the sole reason they used cap and ball instead of something that uses metallic cartridges.

[Brad Johnson]

Given their penchant for explosives, their location in the Sheeple's Republik of Kalifornia, and their connection with the film industry, I'd say it's good odds they have a close working relationship with the ATF.

Brad

[RevDisk]

Given their penchant for explosives, their location in the Sheeple's Republik of Kalifornia, and their connection with the film industry, I'd say it's good odds they have a close working relationship with the ATF.

Brad

Actually yes. Not just for firearms either. They got a alcohol license for shine myths. They farm out most of their explosives to outside contractors likely for liability and they use police ranges/equipment for anything remotely interesting. Between the lawyers, it being a popular show, using police ranges/personnel, etc the ATF isn't likely to play the normal ATF shenanigans.

[HankB]

Actually, I was most puzzled several years ago by the legal status of a 1911 .45 ACP pistol they removed the rifling from, making it a smoothbore . . .

[MechAg94]

I wouldn't be surprised if they had an ATF guy on site for some of those tests. 

[Firethorn]

What had made me wonder is that, unlike for a number of other machines, they didn't do their 'this would be illegal but for...' spiels.

For example, they do their drunk driving tests at .07, because apparently California doesn't have a 'testing & research on a closed track' exemption to their DUI laws.

And while it's not 'high' research, they are doing research.

[Brad Johnson]

It is my understanding that what happens on a private road/area is, by default, exempt from moving violation statutes unless specifically included. In other words if the infraction didn't happen on a public roadway then it didn't happen at all in the eyes of the law. At least that's the way it is here in Texas. Is Cali law different, or maybe Texas is the exception in this regard?

Brad

[charby]

It is my understanding that what happens on a private road/area is, by default, exempt from moving violation statutes unless specifically included. In other words if the infraction didn't happen on a public roadway then it didn't happen at all in the eyes of the law. At least that's the way it is here in Texas. Is Cali law different, or maybe Texas is the exception in this regard?

Brad

Iowa you can get a DUI driving a motorized drunk on your own private property. Such as drunk and mowing grass with a riding mower.

You can't get a DUI for riding a horse or a bicycle, but you can get public intox if you are off private property.

[never_retreat]

With all the gun stuff they do and all the movie work (before they got there own show) it would not be surprised if their business already had atf permits as dealers and manufactures.