Kansas Legalizes Machine Guns, Silencers, and Sawed-Offs

This is so metal! Just in time for the 4th!

Kansans will be able to own machine guns, other fully automatic weapons, sawed-off shotguns and silencers starting July 1.Gov.

Kathleen Sebelius signed a bill Monday to legalize the possession of such weapons. The state banned owning machine guns in 1933, but some legislators said a change was necessary because legal questions threaten to keep dealers from delivering weapons to law enforcement agencies.

Supporters believe the bill will benefit mostly collectors because machine guns typically cost at least $20,000. Also, anyone wanting to own such weapons must undergo two federal background checks.

"I can't even afford them," said Sen. Phil Journey, a Haysville Republican who is a strong gun-rights advocate and championed the bill. "There may be some very happy collectors who have significant disposable income."

The bill had bipartisan support among legislators and passed both chambers with more than the two-thirds majorities necessary to override a veto.