Don, while private individual ownership of fully automatic weapons is illegal in the US, exemptions are granted for approved licensed shooting ranges. The weapons are owned by the ranges, are rented to shooters and never leave the range premises. I'm not sure how that loophole got into the law, but it probably has something to do with making such weapons available to military reservists who don't have regular access to military equipment and ranges. That may be the justification, but I'd bet 90% of the rentals go to thrill-seekers who just want the experience of shooting a machine gun.