The BATF has defined ALL M14 rifles as fully automatic, and requiring a special permit as an automatic weapon. If one disables the switch, it is STILL and automatic weapon, according to the government- just not functional at that time. The M2 carbine was the fully automatic version of the M1- but posseision of even the bare reciever of an M2 is considered by the BATF to be possesion of a fully automatic weapon.