This story comes on the heels of the EPA trying to ban lead ammunition. The South Korean government is trying to sell thousands of M1s and M1 carbines to U.S. citizens to raise money. Gun control advocates don’t want the transfers to occur:

“Guns that can take high-capacity magazines are a threat to public safety,” said Dennis Henigan of the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. “Even though they are old, these guns could deliver a great amount of firepower. So I think the Obama administration’s concerns are well-taken.”

The State Department’s excuse was:

“The transfer of such a large number of weapons — 87,310 M1 Garands and 770,160 M1 Carbines — could potentially be exploited by individuals seeking firearms for illicit purposes,” the spokesman told FoxNews.com.

The problem is the federal government assumes the worst about the people who will buy these weapons. I doubt a single person who purchases one of these rifles will commit a crime with it. My guess would be that most will be bought by vets who actually fought in the war and collectors.