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Posted: 10/4/2013 4:59:46 AM EDT
| I'm ready to build an AR15 pistol. New virgin receiver, ace buffer tube. I looking at uppers 11.5 or longer barrel. PSA has a 12 in upper thats a good deal. Is a 12 in barrel legal under fed law on a pistol? |
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Quoted:
According to the BATFE a pistol has a OAL length of less than 26.5", if the OAL is longer it would be considered a firearm which is still legal as far as the federal govt is considered....I don't know about your state laws. Nope. First of all, the length you mention is 26.0" not 26.5. And neither "handgun" (defined in 18 USC -921 a 29), or "pistol" (defined in 27 CFR - 479.11) have anything to say about overall length. And a pistol 26" or more is still just that, a pistol. It only becomes a "firearm" when a VFG is attached, because it is no longer designed to be fired with one hand, yet does not fit the classification of AOW according to ATF, which for whatever reason decided that 26" is the length to where a firearm is no longer "capable of being concealed". - OS |
| OS - Doesn't Tennessee have a maximum allowable barrel length on pistols? I only ask because it illustrates the 'other' issue that can play with one's ability to do this kind of build. Also...once you put the FG on it and make it a "firearm" can it go back to being a "pistol' the same way you can go from pistol ---> rifle ---> pistol? |
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Quoted:
OS - Doesn't Tennessee have a maximum allowable barrel length on pistols? I only ask because it illustrates the 'other' issue that can play with one's ability to do this kind of build. Also...once you put the FG on it and make it a "firearm" can it go back to being a "pistol' the same way you can go from pistol ---> rifle ---> pistol? In the definitions part of weapons statutes, 12" or less barrel is part of definition of "handgun". Of course, it isn't illegal to have a 14" Bunline Special, or a 12.5" AR "pistol" or whatever. Only diff it could technically make that I know of is how it relates to handgun carry with permit, which of course only covers handguns. Also, debatable whether you could keep one in chamber in your car, since it's not a "long gun" either under TN definitions (can't have loaded long gun in TN unless you have an HCP, and even then can't have one in chamber). On the other hand, doubt if there's a cop in the state that's familiar with that definition, would wager it ain't taught in cop school, but I suppose could come to bear with investigation if push came to shove, just never has AFAIK. - OS |
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Quoted:
In the definitions part of weapons statutes, 12" or less barrel is part of definition of "handgun". Of course, it isn't illegal to have a 14" Bunline Special, or a 12.5" AR "pistol" or whatever. Only diff it could technically make that I know of is how it relates to handgun carry with permit, which of course only covers handguns. Also, debatable whether you could keep one in chamber in your car, since it's not a "long gun" either under TN definitions (can't have loaded long gun in TN unless you have an HCP, and even then can't have one in chamber). On the other hand, doubt if there's a cop in the state that's familiar with that definition, would wager it ain't taught in cop school, but I suppose could come to bear with investigation if push came to shove, just never has AFAIK. - OS Quoted:
Quoted:
OS - Doesn't Tennessee have a maximum allowable barrel length on pistols? I only ask because it illustrates the 'other' issue that can play with one's ability to do this kind of build. Also...once you put the FG on it and make it a "firearm" can it go back to being a "pistol' the same way you can go from pistol ---> rifle ---> pistol? In the definitions part of weapons statutes, 12" or less barrel is part of definition of "handgun". Of course, it isn't illegal to have a 14" Bunline Special, or a 12.5" AR "pistol" or whatever. Only diff it could technically make that I know of is how it relates to handgun carry with permit, which of course only covers handguns. Also, debatable whether you could keep one in chamber in your car, since it's not a "long gun" either under TN definitions (can't have loaded long gun in TN unless you have an HCP, and even then can't have one in chamber). On the other hand, doubt if there's a cop in the state that's familiar with that definition, would wager it ain't taught in cop school, but I suppose could come to bear with investigation if push came to shove, just never has AFAIK. - OS I agree make sure you watch your state laws in less than free states, you could end up in some hot water with the state even if it is legal under federal law. Which is why IMO a new amendment needs to be added stating the states can not restrict the bill of rights beyond the federal level, it would save a lots of headaches and make this country much safer IMO. |
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