Imagine a world where the iron grip of federal overreach on machine guns finally cracks—just a little—at the state level. That’s the bold promise of West Virginia Senate Bill 465, introduced this week by Sen. Mark Maynard, which aims to restore lawful transfers of fully automatic firearms to the public by exploiting a little-known loophole in the infamous Hughes Amendment. For the uninitiated, the 1986 Firearms Owners’ Protection Act—thanks to the sneaky, voice-vote Hughes Amendment—banned new machine gun registrations for civilians, freezing the supply at pre-1986 levels and driving prices into the stratosphere (we’re talking $20K+ for a basic M16 clone). But here’s the clever twist: the bill cites the amendment’s own text, arguing it only prohibits *federal* registration of post-1986 machine guns, leaving states free to create their own registries and sidestep Uncle Sam’s monopoly. If passed, West Virginia could become a machine gun mecca, selling state-owned full-autos directly to qualified residents.

This isn’t just legislative fanfic; it’s a masterclass in federalism and 2A jujitsu. Proponents like the West Virginia Citizens Defense League point out that the Hughes Amendment was never properly passed—lacking a recorded vote, as confirmed by C-SPAN archives and even admitted by its author, Rep. William Hughes himself in later years. By establishing a state-level NFA alternative, WV could nullify the ban’s practical effects, much like how some states have defied federal cannabis prohibitions. Picture this: affordable full-auto fun at local ranges, a booming market for manufacturers, and a blueprint for red states everywhere to reclaim their sovereignty. Critics will scream public safety, but data from the pre-1986 era and current dealer-sample use shows machine guns are among the safest firearms statistically—negligible crime involvement thanks to the draconian regs already in place.

For the 2A community, the implications are electric: a potential domino effect. If West Virginia pulls this off, expect copycat bills in Texas, Arizona, and beyond, chipping away at the NFA’s foundation and proving states can outmaneuver D.C. without waiting for SCOTUS. It’s a reminder that the Second Amendment isn’t a federal begging bowl—it’s a state-empowered shield. Gun owners nationwide should rally behind this: contact your reps, spread the word, and watch as the Mountain State might just machine-gun its way to freedom. Stay vigilant, patriots—this could be the spark.