I will concede that my terminology, "class 3 FFL" is in fact not technically correct, although the term is commonly used in the firearms community, including LEOs to refer to an FFL licensee who has paid the Class 3 SOT and is qualified to deal in NFA weapons. And this is a tax paid by the dealer, not the buyer So step #4 of my list should say "Take your BATF approved permit to an FFL who has paid the Class 3 Special Occupational Tax and choose a pre '86 full auto weapon."
My real point was that one does NOT have to get any kind of FFL to purchase and possess a pre '86 full auto weapon. The purchaser only has to be cleared and approved by the BATF, and pay the $200 tax. Yes, it is $200 for each weapon, and unless you lose your tax stamp, that $200 is a one-time charge. And yes, that procedure only applies to pre '86 weapons, but I made that clear in my original post.
And you are of course correct that "modern" as in manufactured after 1986 full auto weapons are essentially unavailable to the general public.
My real point was that one does NOT have to get any kind of FFL to purchase and possess a pre '86 full auto weapon. The purchaser only has to be cleared and approved by the BATF, and pay the $200 tax. Yes, it is $200 for each weapon, and unless you lose your tax stamp, that $200 is a one-time charge. And yes, that procedure only applies to pre '86 weapons, but I made that clear in my original post.
And you are of course correct that "modern" as in manufactured after 1986 full auto weapons are essentially unavailable to the general public.