You Know You Want to Buy a Tank

It has been estimated that there are as many as 1,000 private tank owners in the United States today. Why aren’t you one of them?

Here at the Millionaire Survivalist, we’re not saying you’re going to need a tank after the apocalypse. But we’re also not saying you’re not going to need one. Once you’ve experienced driving a tank yourself, you’re going to be looking for excuses to add one to your personal arsenal anyway.

It is 100% legal to own a tank in the United States, though laws do vary by country. After the SHTF, law and order will most likely be right out the window anyway. Currently, you can legally purchase a tank online for just $25K, which is a small price to pay for a weapon that makes a statement like this one. However, that is for a very basic tank. There are many high-end options available. Russia’s T90 is a bargain at $2.23 million, South Korea’s K-2 Black Panther is available for $8.5 million, and Leclerc, France’s AMX-56 will set you back $27.183 billion.

It is completely legal to own a tank in the US and many other countries. There are no US Federal restrictions if you own a tank that has been demilitarized, but that’s not going to do you any good if society has collapsed. However, if you want a tank that has had the main gun disabled so you can

practice driving it on your own private land, you will be free to do so without restrictions in most areas. Just make sure to check your local and state laws first. If they prohibit tank ownership, consider moving.

Registering Your NFA Weapon

Tanks that have not been demilitarized are classified as destructive devices by the NFA. There is an amnesty period of 30 to 90 days involved if you want to buy a tank. That means there’s going to be a background check, you’ll need to register it, and you’ll need to prepare yourself for the fact that there’s going to be a ton of paperwork and you’re going to pay a lot of taxes. The transfer process is involved, but you’ll get there, eventually. This is definitely a case where good things come to those who wait.

Because of their NFA classification, if you want to take your tank across state lines, you’re going to have to report it to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives first.

Take a Tank for a Test Drive

If you want to take a tank for a test drive before you invest, you’re in luck because there are plenty of places to do so all across the US.

Nevada At Battlefield Vegas you will find a British Chieftain Mk8 that has been refitted to become an M1A1 Abrams replica. Yes, you will be able to drive it over a car. One of the fun things about going with this company is they’ll send a military Humvee to get you from your hotel. This is the place to go if you don’t want to deal with safety classes

Minnesota At Drive A Tank in Kasota, you will be able to drive tank models FV433 Abbott SPG, FV432 APC, Russian T-55 MBT, Chieftain MBT, and Sherman E8 right over a car. They also offer a two-car package, and, yes, you are reading this right, there’s a mobile home package. Expect a comprehensive experience here, with safety training and a look into the history of tanks.

Georgia It just isn’t right to visit the South without a trip to Tank Town USA. This is your chance to see the Blue Ridge Mountains. You’re going to want to bring a friend here, because they offer “adventures” involving a second driver and the option to add a second car crush. They also have an excavator operation package. That’s like the Tonka Truck you had as a child, but so much better.

Florida If you’re in Florida for the winter, check out Melbourne’s Tank America. Their Advanced Tank Package offers a terrain course and car crush in an FV433. Their Tier Elite Package is billed on the site as “Drive Crush Shoot.” Sounds good to me! Tank America’s tank expeditions are only available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so book your trip on the weekend.

Texas You can’t crush a car at Texas’s Ox Hunting Ranch, but you can drive and shoot real WWII tanks. And they’ve got flamethrowers! This place has a fantastic selection of tanks to choose from, including a Sherman Tank, a Leopard Tank, a Chieftain Tank, and a Russian T-34-85. If you own property in Texas, consider a demilitarized tank on your own private land if you want to run a car over. Go here to the Ox Hunting Ranch to shoot.

If you’re serious about buying a tank, you can sometimes find them on ArmsList and at DriveTanks.com.

Do you have what it takes to buy a tank? https://www.wsj.com/video/do-you-have-what-it-takes-to-own-a-tank/EEB37855-CC85-4BFA-8D0A-92687FF83DF3.html

Take a closer look at the world’s most expensive tanks.