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Posted: 4/28/2008 3:44:14 PM EDT
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Hey guys. Have a few questions and was hoping someone could clarify for me. I am aware that an ar15 needs a 16" barrel to e legal. Which i am assuming makes it a rifle. Now i were to purchase a lower that was 14.5 inch would it be considered a pistol? Also Having seen these lengths available for sale on the forum what type of registration need be completed for the possesion of these length be legal. Thanks for the help. |
This gets tricky so follow closely: 1) If the 14.5" barrel has a PERMANTENTLY attached muzzle device that brings it's total length to 16" - then for the purposes of the law it's a 16" barrel. (note JB weld and similar compounds are NOT considered permanent - we're talking a weld or high temp silver solder job). 2) If you buy a lower and a 14.5" barrel w/o said permanently attached flash supressor you are in possession of an illegal SBR (Short barreled rifle) and that's federal jail time...  . Note even if it's all disassembled it's illegal.3) IF you have a lower that you purchased as a PISTOL lower (must be marked as such in the FFL's transaction book and IIRC in the Manufacturer's log) then you can have a 14.5" barrel (or shorter on it). Said firearm CANNOT have a stock nor can it have a vertical foward grip (like a Tango Down VFG for instance).
If you want to have a legal SBR (see #2 above) you will need: 1) To live in a state that allows private ownership of SBRs 2) Fill out the appropriate BATF form (Form 4 IIRC? one of you NFA types help me out here). 3) Get the paperwork filled out (approved by local LEO or setup the appropriate legal trust) fingerprints, and your $200 check for the tax and send it to the BATF. 4) Get your lower engraved with the appropriate information. 5) Then when the paperwork is approved you can install the short upper on the lower. For full details see our General Class 3 forum and our Class 3 Firearms Forum (with the FAQs about SBRs). |
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