Hi all, long time follower first time poster.
I have found 3 owners of Eagle Arms rifles willing to sell but, as usual, I am having trouble verifying pre-ban status. All 3 are numeric, no letters. Two are 4 digits, one is 5 digits.
IMPORTANT DETAIL: One of the sellers actually has the original purchase receipt on EA letterhead, etc. showing date of purchase sometime in 1990. He himself is a FFL and his number ID is listed on the receipt as well.
I tried Armalite and they cannot confirm in writing as they have no access to the old data (etc etc, the usual stuff). They say they are most likely pre ban but won't put it in writing due to legal risks.
Then I called the ATF (3 times) and some helpful lady noted down my contact info and said she would forward to a field agent who "will call me back when possible". Honestly, I don't expect much help there either.
Finally, I asked two FFLs I know if they would transfer the lower that comes with the purchase receipt. One of them said yes, the other one is not sure and said I would have to buy it first and he would call it in with the State Police to verify pre ban ... which sounds too risky, what if they don't accept the receipt and ask for the manufacturer's letter (dead end).
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated ... is the original purchase receipt OK? If I do get it shipped to the FFL, do State Police confirm serial numbers through their own access to ATF data? or is the lower going to get stuck at the FFL and I will have wasted money?...
thanks!