Questions Regarding AR-15 Uppers and Lowers

[ShyChineseGuy]

Let's say I know someone who has an AR-15 that does not conform to current requirements. At one time, one could separate their AR-15 to an upper and a lower as only the complete rifle was required to be compliant. They would transfer just the lower at the FFL, and transfer the upper in a separate transaction. Correct me if I'm wrong, but it's my understanding that this practice is no longer permitted, that only complete rifles can be transferred.

I am confused by shipping requirements. I believe I am allowed to ship a complete AR-15 upper to an individual via UPS as a gun part. However, a complete upper is referred to as a receiver, and UPS shipping guidance states that "Receivers or frames of a firearm and firearm mufflers/silencers (also referred to as suppressors) are considered "firearms" and are accepted for transportation only if shipped in accordance with UPS's requirements for shipping firearms.)" So is the upper considered a firearm and can only be shipped from FFL to another FFL? The lower is the part that has the serial number needs to be registered during transfer and of course, needs to be shipped FFL to FFL.

Any comments would be helpful. Thank you for your assistance.

[bigstick61]

If only complete firearms can be transferred, that's news to me. That'd have to be a very, very recent change. But I seriously doubt that's true. AFAIK you can transfer a stripped or assembled lower.

The upper receiver, by itself or assembled, is not a firearm, and not regulated yet. No need to send it to an FFL.

[anhzx]

^^^^what he said

[kcheung2]

A complete upper is not a receiver. Receivers have serial numbers & are considered “the gun”. Uppers don’t have serials. Uppers with a whole bunch of parts attached still don’t have serials. They’re just parts.

[dk94044]

you list it as a semi custom machined part

[naz]

transfer just the lower at the FFL, and transfer the upper in a separate transaction.

That’s still fine. The trick is finding an FFL who will do that.

In my area FFL will refuse that transfer and say the lower has to have compliant features. (Cynically, I think it’s because they want people to be buying the rifles they sell, which are exorbitantly priced vs assembling your own)

[monkeyfish]

Partially strip the lower for ffl and ship the other pieces with the upper maybe?

[ShyChineseGuy]

Questions Regarding AR-15 Uppers and Lowers

Thanks everyone, I appreciate your help!

[jimbo74]

Are you talking about an ar15?

The lower is the serialized receiver

Lower can be built any way you want it. It doesn't matter. Just can't be assembled as non-compliant

The upper doesn't matter, unless it is not an ar15. There are some guns that have serialized uppers, not lowers.

[naz]

Partially strip the lower for ffl and ship the other pieces with the upper maybe?

[ShyChineseGuy]

Questions Regarding AR-15 Uppers and Lowers

I google a lot of things because I know I don't know everything. I was confused because I guess some manufacturers refer to AR-15 complete uppers as "receivers".

https://www.bing.com/search?q=ar-15+upper+receiver+complete&form=ANNTH1&refig=8b429ec9d95c4278b78b6120e0f8841a&sp=3&ghc=1&qs=EP&pq=ar-15+upper&sk=LS2&sc=8-11&cvid=8b429ec9d95c4278b78b6120e0f8841a

Thank you for letting me know that a complete upper is NOT a receiver.

[kcheung2]

Technically an AR upper is a receiver. It’s even in the name - upper receiver. It’s just not the serialized part & therefore not as heavily regulated. If through a fluke of history Eugene Stoner decided that the serial should go on the upper then that would be the part that’s regulated vs the lower receiver that’s regulated now.

[bigstick61]

The funny thing is that the courts are starting to look at the components of two-part receivers as not meeting the statutory definition of a firearm by themselves. ATF has already dropped prosecutions to avoid rulings to this effect, from what I understand.

[naz]

Thank you for letting me know that a complete upper is NOT a receiver.