New to Cali, ar pistol legality

[Strongisland]

To summarize:

AR pistols are generally to buy and DROS using the Single Shot Exemption process. (changing in 2015). Barrel lengths for pistols are generally in the 7" - 11" range. Above that and it might not be a pistol anymore, it might be a "Any Other Weapon" (AOW) depending on Overall Length (OAL) This is why you don't see many AR pistols with barrels longer than 11" barrels.

You cannot BUILD an AR pistol from a stripped or completed lower, because said lowers are DROS'd as RIFLES. by the FFL.

You CAN build an 80% AR pistol through the SSE process yourself.

You CAN buy and DROS a completed PISTOL REGISTERED AR lower from an 07 FFL, BUT the DROS must be done according to Single Shot Exemption requirements. The 0 shot mag block must be installed, it cannot be in a AOW configuration (7"-11" barrels only), and THERE MUST BE A PISTOL UPPER INSTALLED during the DROS. (either you buy or rent one from the FFL, or donate one you own).

Not many FFL's wanna jump through those hoops - Riflegear in Fountain Valley, Ed's Tactical Armory in Placentia, and EBR Works in San Fernando Valley (all LA/ OC area) are the ones I am familiar with.

I don't think having a longer barrel qualifies it to be an AOW. I believe its an overall length less than 25" with a vertical grip that makes it an AOW.


my next question: can it have a threaded barrel? I'm assuming that it can since Franklin armory sells the one with a vertical grip in the front to CA (another "evil feature"). So I'm assuming if that's ok, a threaded barrel is ok.

[Quiet]

I don't think having a longer barrel qualifies it to be an AOW. I believe its an overall length less than 25" with a vertical grip that makes it an AOW.

Under Federal laws/regulations...
Less than 16" rifled barrel + less than 26" over all length + no shoulder stock = Title 1 Handgun
Less than 16" rifled barrel + less than 26" over all length + no shoulder stock + vertical forward grip = Title 2 AOW
Less than 16" rifled barrel + greater than 26" over all length + no shoulder stock = Title 1 Other

Under CA laws/regualtions...
Less than 16" barrel = handgun
Greater than 16" barrel = long gun

my next question: can it have a threaded barrel? I'm assuming that it can since Franklin armory sells the one with a vertical grip in the front to CA (another "evil feature"). So I'm assuming if that's ok, a threaded barrel is ok.

As long as the semi-auto pistol has a fixed 10 or less round magazine, it can legally have a threaded barrel and/or second handgrip and/or barrel shroud.

Under Federal laws/regulations, the Franklin Armory XO-26 is a Title 1 Other and can legally have a forward vertical grip.
Under CA laws/regulations, the Franklin Armory XO-26 has a less than 16" barrel so it is considered a "handgun" and because it is a semi-auto pistol with fixed 10 or less round magazine, it can legally have a second handgrip.

Therefore...
If your fixed magazine AR Pistol has an overall length of less than 26", then it would be illegal to install a forward vertical grip on it without BATFE approval.
If your fixed magazine AR Pistol has an overall length of greater than 26", then it would be legal to install a forward vertical grip on it.

[Quiet]

Well, I know a pistol has no limit on barrel length...you would just have a pistol with a long barrel. However, giving sig sauer's new SB15...that's why I want the 14.5" barrel. lol

Under CA laws/regulations...

A handgun is a firearm with a less than 16" barrel.

A handgun can also be classified as a SBR/SBS.

Adding an arm brace to a handgun can cause the resulting firearm to be considered a SBR and is up to the discretion of a LEO/ADA to decide if it is or isn't.

[Strongisland]

Under CA laws/regulations...

A handgun is a firearm with a less than 16" barrel.

A handgun can also be classified as a SBR/SBS.

Adding an arm brace to a handgun can cause the resulting firearm to be considered a SBR and is up to the discretion of a LEO/ADA to decide if it is or isn't.

Thanks for the help.

The SB15 is just that, a stabilizing brace. From what I've seen, ATF gave an approval. Seen a couple sites selling them

[toddh]

Welcome.

Read:

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=115364

Enjoy !

See what Never Convicted just posted.
Everything regarding all of your questions has been answered in dozens of posts.
The info is out there, you just need search to find it.
Rather than call uninformed gun shops, start to read the stickies provided, and then use the search feature.



.

[Quiet]

Thanks for the help.

The SB15 is just that, a stabilizing brace. From what I've seen, ATF gave an approval. Seen a couple sites selling them

Under Federal laws/regulations they (arm brace + handgun) are legal.

However, under CA laws/regulations they (arm brace + handgun) can be considered SBR/SBS.
CA case laws have established that firearms that are not considered SBR/SBS under Federal laws can be considered SBR/SBS under CA laws.

So, don't install one if you are not willing to risk getting arrested and going to court over it.

[Strongisland]

Under Federal laws/regulations they (arm brace + handgun) are legal.

However, under CA laws/regulations they (arm brace + handgun) can be considered SBR/SBS.
CA case laws have established that firearms that are not considered SBR/SBS under Federal laws can be considered SBR/SBS under CA laws.

So, don't install one if you are not willing to risk getting arrested and going to court over it.

Man, this state is just like New York. Seems I have a ****ty luck of the draw. After here, I'm most likely going to be based in Hawaii.

[gun toting monkeyboy]

Hawaii has some odd gun laws as well. Though not quite as bad as here. For the most part, the AR pistols are about as close as we can get to SBRs in this state. And truthfully, using the buffer tube braced against your shoulder isn't that bad. As for the single shot magazine, just take any AR magazine, pull the spring out, and stuff rolled up cardboard in it under the follower. Poof, you have a 0-round magazine.

As for using "Cali", please don't. It bugs the snot out of many of us. It is like using "Hella" outside of northern California. People look at you like you are some sort of freak. And yes, Border Bandito, "Cali" is a linguistic anomaly here inside the state. Somebody actually took the time to analyze all of the local dialects in the state, and there is not a single area that calls in "Cali".

-Mb

[smashycrashy]

Hawaii and AR pistols are probably a nice go, their assault pistol law is very restrictive.

[Strongisland]

Thanks for help and info everyone. Much appreciated.

[Dattebayo]

Heck I've been born and raised here in Cali and I say Cali. Guess living here for 30 years isn't good nuff to be true Cali boy.

[bohoki]

Heck I've been born and raised here in Cali and I say Cali. Guess living here for 30 years isn't good nuff to be true Cali boy.

then there is people who call sanfrancisco, frisco which is an abomination

[Justintoxicated]

Heck I've been born and raised here in Cali and I say Cali. Guess living here for 30 years isn't good nuff to be true Cali boy.

That's the song I was thinking about when I read that post as well. Maybe SS is actually talking about going to Columbia. That seems Hella strange though.

[rm1911]

Whatever is bringing you here better be 5'11", 117lbs, blonde, 34d's natural and better be able to suck a golf ball through 5 feet if garden hose.

Oh, and has a best friend hotter than her who's into threesomes.

Otherwise don't come here. Seriously, the economy sucks. It's a socialist paradise.

Btw, I was born here and lived my whole life here. I'd leave this s***hole in a second if it wasn't for family stuff. Would I miss the weather and sea and everything? Yeah. Would I enjoy being a free citizen instead of a subject of a tyranny? A helluva lot more.

[drifts1]

CA has not declared the SB15 brace illegal nor prosecuted anyone for it. Until such time, its not illegal. 41 years born in raised in SoCal and I use Cali. Yes its more common now, but I've heard it regularly since LL Cool J song back in the 80's. Hella, may have originated in NorCal, but Its been in usage in SoCal for sometime now.