So even if you only have one of these features on your semi-automatic center-fire rifle, you own what California considers an “assault weapon” unless your magazine is repaired. The only way Californians can legally possess these features on a semi-automatic centerfire rifle is either A) register the weapon as an “assault weapon” or B) have a fixed magazine, which we`ll discuss later. To comply with the provisions of the NFA, currently unlicensed owners of a firearm with a “stabilizing strut” and barrel length of less than 16 inches, which would be considered a “short-barreled rifle”, as outlined in ATF Worksheet 4999 included in this proposed rule, should take one of the following steps prior to the effective date of a final rule. For most of us, option 5 is the best option. By filling out Form 1, paying the NFA tax stamp, and obtaining BATTEE approval, the AR pistol with a stabilizer mount becomes a legally owned NFA short-barrel rifle. Yes, you spent $200 on the tax stamp, but you saved the cost of the armrest (if you decide to keep it) and you can now carry the gun to operate. Best of all, in our opinion, it allows you to install a suitable shaft, which significantly improves operation and accuracy. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives estimates that the number of “stabilizing reinforcements” – devices attached to the buffer tube of AR platform firearms with barrels less than 16 inches to stabilize the pistol for one-handed shooting – ranges from 3 to 7 million units (sold between 2013 and 2020). For now, it seems to be the best legal setup to work without features, keeping an eye on the functionality of the rifle. We are already seeing that several companies continue to innovate and offer new products that look decent and perform well within the legal restrictions. PC 33215 is California law for short-barreled shotguns and sawed-off shotguns. According to this article of the code, it is a crime if a person: However, the use of legally acquired 30-round magazines in your rifle without function is allowed.
If you said that, you could still be harassed, the choice is yours. You can get an AR gun, which is legally a gun and therefore follows gun laws, not gun laws. With an AR pistol, you can have a barrel smaller than 16″. Do not put inventory on it, otherwise you will have an illegal SBR. Your foam tube should be fine, as well as a gun holder (as long as the AFT doesn`t fuck it). This option allows you to use the features of your AR-15 by attaching or locking the magazine of 10 rounds (or less) in your rifle while the bottom magazine is attached to the upper receiver. This is often done with a device like the Juggernaut Tactical Hellfighter Kit, which is available from Brownells. With such a device, you can use all the “evil features” described at the beginning of the article while remaining legal. This is a great option for those who can`t overcome the appearance of a featureless rifle. California Penal Code 17170 PC defines a “short-barreled rifle” as a rifle with either: Since the 1930s, the federal government has enacted laws and regulations that dictate how we buy, own, and use firearms. Much of their regulation determines the size of the barrel we attach to our rifles, the accessories we mount, and how we protect ourselves with those firearms.
Most AR fans are familiar with “AR guns” and stabilizer straps. AR pistols are considered AR platform firearms with barrels less than 16 inches in length (the minimum length for a non-NFA rifle) and no device designed to make the firearm operational via a shoulder mount (pulled from the shoulder). In other words, a traditional AR stock mounted on an AR firearm under 16 inches is considered by BATFE to be a short-barreled rifle rather than a pistol. Such a firearm is regulated by the National Firearms Act and requires a proper BATTE application and NFA tax stamp to be legally owned. Hey, guys. I plan to build an AR-15 gun (8″ barrel without stock, only the buffer tube with foam) according to the requirements without feature / mag-lock. Reading a few articles, I discovered that AB 1135 / SB 880 & CA PC 17170 indicate that a CA execution cannot be less than 16″. If you own a gun and then decide to swap the barrel, attach a butt or mount a front grip, you are committing a crime. According to the ATF, such customizations of your weapon fall under the “manufacture or possession of an unregistered AOW,” which is “any other weapon.” You face a crime that can be punished by a hefty fine and up to 10 years in prison.
But let`s focus on the length of the barrel for now. The short answer is that all barrel lengths are legal in one way or another. Of course, the possibility of converting your AR pistol to a short-barrelled rifle depends on state and local laws, so you`ll need to check with the relevant authorities before going this route. Ideally, we do not want to be criminals, but the state makes it difficult for us. Still, Calguns.net has created an informative flowchart to help gun owners determine if their rifle is legal. Start at the top left of the diagram and answer the questions accordingly. Whether you`re building an 80% rifle and need a barrel or replacing a worn barrel, length is important from a legal and performance perspective. No! There is another option that allows you to keep your functions (pistol grip, folding/telescopic stock, front grip and flash suppressor) while remaining completely legal. This is the Fixed or Magazine Lock option. In addition, some states have stated that it is illegal for civilians to possess a rifle or short-barreled pistol. Where these weapons are legal, unfortunately, you need documents and a tax stamp. This tax stamp, in the end, costs about $200.
It is a long and exhausting process. Please note that certain individuals and/or situations are exempt from prosecution for possession of illegal rifles, shotguns and other prohibited weapons. For example, members of law enforcement agencies may sell, transfer or possess these weapons. The same goes for some antique dealers. Among all the other, if you are your AR FIRST MANUFACTURING weapon, you have to meet the minimum required barrel length of 6 inches and 10.5 inches overall length. Once the weapon is made, it no longer matters and you can exchange a shorter barrel. Last summer, the BATFE signaled its intention to eliminate the “stabilizing orthosis” exception because it believed that legal firearms owners were abusing the design intent of the stabilizing orthosis and using the devices as a “shoulder workaround,” as opposed to the intended goal of stabilizing an AR gun against the support arm. Despite calls for protest from the shooter community and industry, BATFE went ahead with its plan to remove the exemption for AR pistols and effectively classify older AR pistols with stabilizer straps as NFA short-barreled rifles. The same general rule applies to Franklin Amory pistols. They are sold as bolt action repeaters, but nothing legally allows you to put a semi-automatic rod and maglock on them to make it legal. I could confuse rifles, SBRs and pistols here.
Do you know what the barrel length rule is in California when it comes to pistols, and the source to confirm it? The barrel length must be less than 16 inches for a pistol, although the law does not specify a total measure – barrel to be stored. Should I use a 16-inch stroke in my build to avoid hassle? California Penal Code 16590 is California`s universally prohibited firearms law. The law lists several weapons/items that are generally prohibited in the state of California. Short-barreled rifles and sawed-off shotguns are two such weapons that are expressly prohibited under PC 16590(t). manufactures or has manufactured, imported into the State, possesses for sale or offers for sale or exhibits, or gives, lends or possesses a rifle or short-barreled shotgun. Assuming you have an Ar rifle/rifle less than 99% of the Ar`s in Ca, it must have a minimum barrel of 16 inches.