The number of transferable machine guns that I've seen cited is only 182,619, but 57,000 more or less is just a number. I don't see any chance of the current restrictions being loosened anytime soon, but if I was in the market for a fully automatic firearm, I'd just go through the background check process, write a check, and take it home when all the "Ts" were crossed and all the "Is" dotted.
I don't know how it is in Montana, but in Nebraska most crime involving firearms, involves stolen handguns, often in the hands of convicted felons who are likely to have a gang affiliation. Even when a convicted felon is found in possession of a firearm, the charges are often plea bargained down or dropped entirely as part of a plea of guilty to a reduced charge and a shorter prison terms.
Blathering isn't helping your case.
Travis
