In November, Congress passed legislation to allow the Civilian Marksmanship Program of the Defense Department to sell .45 ACP Model 1911 semi-automatic pistol, which has long been used by U.S. armed forces. There will be approximately 10,000 available for purchase of the nearly 3 million procured by the U.S. government of the 1911 and 1911A1 pistols. Due to political pressure, CMP had been unable to sell the pistols until now.
The government has approximately 100,000 of the pistols in storage, which were mothballed in the 1980s when the military switched to the Beretta 9 mm pistol.
According to a statement released by Mark Johnson — CMP’s chief operating officer — there are a number of preliminaries before the pistols will be available. Johnson released a statement, declaring: “Decisions concerning the grade and pricing of the 1911s will not be made until inspection has occurred of a substantial quantity which will take an estimated 150 days post receipt. All laws pertaining to the sale of 1911s by CMP will be strictly obeyed.”
The statement declared that purchasers will have to show: 1) proof of U.S. Citizenship, 2) proof of membership in a CMP affiliated club, 3) proof of participation in a marksmanship activity, 4) a new form 2A with notary, 5) successful completion of a NICS background check, 6) a signed copy of the 01 Federal Firearms License in which the 1911 will be transferred to.
by Martin Barillas
