Contrary to popular belief, machine guns are NOT illegal in the United States and many law abiding citizens own them. However, in May of 1986, the Reagan administration passed the Firearm Onwer's Protection Act. While this bill did a lot of good for firearms enthusiasts, it also made it illegal for them to purchase fully automatic firearms that were manufactured after 1986. Following the laws of supply and demand, this act made purchasing these firearms something only the wealthy could do, as most full auto guns cost in the realms of $15,000-X.
The 2nd Amendment has defined the firearms that we are allowed access to as "those in common use and manufacture of the time." My question is, "Why should only the military, police, and extremely wealthy be able to buy fully automatic firearms?"