If you’re into curio and relic firearms from the WWII era, then a recent discovery in the stimulus/appropriations bill should be interesting to you as it may give way to the importation of South Korean M1 Carbines into the US firearms market. M1 Carbines still remain a highly sought after firearms for both collectors and those who enjoy WWII era firearms in general.

Stimulus/Appropriations Bill May Allow Import of Korean M1 Carbines

The new COVID Stimulus bill has a small bit of text inside of the bill contained in section 538 page 246 that leads us to believe that the importation of the Korean M1 carbines might be allowed:

SEC. 538. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no department, agency, or instrumentality of the United States receiving appropriated funds under this Act or any other Act shall obligate or expend in any way such funds to pay administrative expenses or the compensation of any officer or employee of the United States to deny any application submitted pursuant to 22 U.S.C. 2778(b)(1)(B) and qualified pursuant to 27 CFR section 478.112 or .113, for a permit to import United States origin ‘‘curios or relics’’ firearms, parts, or ammunition.

The important bit here is the latter section of the paragraph regarding agencies denying applications for the importation of curio and relic firearms, parts, and ammunition. Many of you will remember that an executive order was issued which banned the import of M1 Carbines from South Korea. With this stimulus bill having so many odd things in it compared to its stated purpose, it just might be possible that some good news for the firearms industry landed in there. Time will tell.

The question now is who would end up importing these M1 Carbines and how much will they go for on the open market? Would you buy one? The M1 Carbine is one of the most iconic rifles from the WWII era and it’s one that I know I would be happy to have in my collection someday.