Bill would help combat veterans to register trophy firearms

Army Combat Cop inspects AK captured from dead Viet-Cong

American veterans who acquired certain types of weapons during combat under rules of military conflict—guns known as “trophy” firearms—are typically unable to legally register the weapons. Tester’s bipartisan measure would open a 90-day period for veterans and their families to register firearms for legal ownership.  The bill would apply specifically to machineguns and other automatic firearms, and would not impact more common trophy weapons like bolt-action rifles or semi-automatic pistols, which do not need to be registered. The measure applies to any American veteran stationed outside the continental United States and who acquired a firearm in combat between June 26, 1934 and October 31, 1968.  Congress granted a similar open-registration period in 1968—however, the relatively short 30-day period meant many veterans were unable to meet the deadline.  
---Full press release HERE, Copy of the "Veterans heritage firearms Act of 2011" Bill HERE----
I remember the Vietnam era exemption, soldiers were told that SKS semi-autos could be brought back but AK-47's, the real selective fire machine-gun capable AK's (mostly Chinese Type-56 models) were prohibited, therefore, Tester's bill is actually much better for Vet's living in "full-auto" states who now can bring in captured machineguns. This in light of the many G.I.'s who were (unjustly) jailed in the wake of operations since Panama/Grenada up through Iraq for attempting to bring back captured enemy hardware. Until Vietnam, (and part of the same the same stinking 1968 anti-gun federal law that ATF is resurrecting to take away shotguns today!) vets brought back all kinds of cool firearms, even anti-tank rifles(!).  This covers from WW2 to present day and will be a boon for historical preservation. Recently a Nazi bomber was discovered intact off the English coast and a project is underway to rescue this plane. Notably, there were no existing examples of this plane: Until now. This legal avenue is a long overdue honor for our hard-fighting "Combat-happy Joes" (Sorry, I couldn't resist/;-) returning home with trophies won the hard way!... (S9)