Hey Morph, nice to see you're still kicking!
I thought you could get an MG with a simple tax stamp,or is that only in certain states? Oh and a thick wallet would help. Seems a 200 dollar stamp was lots back in what 1934 maybe it should be increased proportionally?
It involves a little more than just a $200 tax stamp (NFA has been expanded several times after 1934). You need ATF permission for any title II weapon (like machinegun) or parts, you need to pass extensive background check, and weapon or part gets registered. It has to be legal in your state (CA bans all title II weapons). It has to be manufactured before 1986 (sorry, no new machine guns for ordinary citizens). You can't transport it over any state line, or transfer it to another person without ATF approval.
Any violation of NFA is outright felony and lengthy visit to federal prison.
Then, there's the price. Haven't seen any machine gun for less than 10 grand in like forever.
All of the above makes machine guns very rare. (less than 15,000 registered).
Personally I dont like CC if you want to wear a gun it should be in plane sight so I can see it and keep my distance if I choose....but thats just me.
Yeah, unfortunately many states banned open carry.
In California open carry is banned, with exception to your private property if it isn't publicly accessible (backyard if fenced), places where it is legal to discharge firearm (gun ranges, national forests, etc) and when hunting or fishing.
As for concealed carry, In most CA counties, CCW permits are nearly impossible to get. Most of the criminals carry firearms though, hence the rise in firearms related deaths (CDC data).