I very much want to buy an AR-15. The issue I seem to be having is that what I read in the text of the New York Assault Weapons Ban seems to be disputed by a few of my local dealers. I need to know where I can get an exact answer and possibly written proof of exactly what I can and can't buy under the law. Should I just stop down at the local State Police barracks and ask them? I have a feeling I'll just get their interpretation of the law and not what the court system defines as a violation. Afterall, being arrested sucks but being convicted is much worse!
hereExample 1 : A local gun store, "Patriotic Field Sports", has a few AR-15 style rifles in stock. One was a Colt SP-1 with flash hider and bayonet lug manufactured well before the Federal AWB. I asked the guy behind the counter, "Wouldn't I have had to possess this before September 14, 1994?"
He smiled knowingly at me and replied as he winked
he*
Noteworthy - The other guy behind the counter that I talked with I asked about doing a firearm transfer told me, "I refuse to argue with you, fax copies of an FFL are not valid." I guess he hasn't seen the
August 2005 FFL Newsletter yet?
Example 2 : Another local gun store, "Firearms and Ammunition", also has AR-15 style rifles. I asked if he had any LE6920 rifles in stock.
"A what?", he asked me.
"A Colt Law Enforcement marked model 6920."
"I can't sell you a law enforcement rifle unless I get a letter from your supervisor at the Police Department you work at giving you permission to buy your own gun for work use. If you're not law enforcement, I'd get arrested selling you a law enforcement-marked rifle!" (I'm not law emforcement so I'm SOL!)
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Noteworthy - When I first asked about the other AR rifles he had, I asked if he had any marked 5.56? He told me there's no difference between .223 and 5.56, they're exactly the same. I mentioned that the chambers are slightly different and that I was told that hotter 5.56 may be dangerous to use in some .223 chambered rifles.
His reply was, "Maybe when you're shooting XM-193....military ammo."
I'm hoping that was his way of saying that the 5.56 military spec ammo shouldn't be used in .223 chambered rifles. That's what SAAMI warns, too, as does the
AR15 Ammo Oracle.
NOTE: The names of the stores have been changed so that I don't cause them any trouble.