I think that "UnIntentionally" Bill pretty well answered the question.
The problem in the 30s was not truly in the availability of "Tommy" guns & Sawed of Shotguns & such but in Prohibition, a law which was Unsupported by the masses. This brought on the NFA of 34. That got the foot in the door. That foot was stuck in Much Deeper with the 68 GCA which stopped the importation of all Mil-Surp guns then as well as many fine little pocket pistols such as the Walther PPK. Later, I forget the exact date now but thanks to the NRA & other concentrated efforts, parts of the 68 law were repealed. Somewhere in the 80s as I recall I was able to purchase a 9mm Makarov, A 9mm Largo Star Super & a 1917 S&W .45 ACP of the Brazillian lot made in 1938.
At the time I had an FFL & ordered several Mausers for others, only kept one for myself, a Nice little Mexican Small Ring, Short Action 98 style in 7 mm.

It should be quite obvious that each & every little law which is passed, pushes that door a bit wider. IF you suspect there's a thief at your door you do not protect your property by opening the door just a crack, & then Willfully opening it further in small increments, when you "KNOW" his ultimate goal is to enter your house & Rob you Blind.

Thanks, R M Bill for that most excellent post which Laid the Tactics out so clearly, even though I fully understand it was accidental. As has been pointed out on many occasions the Ultimate Goal has been well stated on numerous occasions.

As I have stated on numerous ooccasions the 2nd Amendment is NOT about hunting & target guns, it IS about defensive guns. Read it, It starts with a Well Regulated Militia. This does not even imply as I heard one reporter say on TV once that it sanctioned Gun Regulation. No, it said the Malitia was to be regulated & that meant they were to be familiar with using said guns, therefore the following "The Right of the People to Keep & Bear Arms Shall Not be Infringed".

King;
That made that Federal & was meant to Prohibit any State or City from Infringing upon that Right. All laws which were not specifically stated in the Constitution were to be left to the Individual States. The 2nd Amendment was clearly laid out in the Constitution.

Miller/TN
I Didn't Say Everything I Said, Yogi Berra