It is easy to buy them. Walk in fill out the forms and there ya go. Can't buy assault rifles or handguns there though. Assault rifles are a pain in the butt to buy. Stack of paperwork the size of a phone book, 3 to 6 month wait time (while the dealer holds your money), and cost is around ten to thirty thousand for an assault rifle. Sub machine guns can be had for less. Only around 6 to 8 thousand depending on make or model. Belt fed tripod mounted machine guns will set you back around 50 to 75 thousand. Not really worth the hassle to acquire one just to go out and do a drive buy with it. You think buying an automatic is hard. Try buying a box of hand grenades or a 20mm anti tank rifle. Gives new meaning to the term patience.
I do own guns. I have owned ALOT of guns. I use my guns too. I also have owned assault rifles, sub machine guns, and some destructive devices.