When SB23 was in the works (already signed not not yet in effect), one of the solutions was the funny little non-pistol grips offered by at least one company. Looking at the text of the law, it looked like a good solution. But CA DOJ would not comment on this solution.
Instead, the banned list was expanded, to remove this solution to owners of Armalites, Bushmasters, and so on.
Subsequently, it would seem, based upon the text of the law, that off-list lowers could make use of those non-pistol grips, or else bee assembled as .22 rimfires, or else with pinned 10 round mags, or else as a manually operated weapon. Yet, with a few exceptions for pinned mags, we haven't (I haven't, at least) seen these solutions in gun stores.
It seems that CA DOJ has been successful in a campaign of intimidation.
Several conclusions:
1. CA DOJ is less than honest in its handling of these issue, and seems inclined to leave doubt rather than clarify its position, in an effort to intimidate.
2. CA DOJ may get caught flat footed, but has been good at regaining balance based upon conclusion 1 above as well as a DOJ-friendly legislature, and often DOJ-friendly judges (at least, friendly with respect to gun control).
3. CA DOJ intimidation has worked well with respect to many CA gun dealers.
Is this an accurate assesment? Can this be extrapolated to the current "off-list" lower issue?