ILLEGAL!!

[matalac]

Thought I'd post an email response I got for laughs.

"Hi ____,

We are unable to carry AR 15 lowers, as they are "illegal assault weapons" here in CA.

Regards,

Rob
J & J Smokewagons"

Called several gunstores/firearms dealers here in Chico and some people were downright appalled when I asked them if they carried any ar-15 parts. One guy got kinda mad at me lol.

[Jicko]

Just tell him that you need some parts for you legally registered AW.

[dustoff31]

I get your point, but technically he is correct. AR-15's are banned by make/model.

His answer probably wouldn't be any different but you might email him back and ask if he could get you a (insert name of off list lower)

[Bishop]

AR-15s (armalite) ARE banned (AFAIK).

OTHER manufacturers (stag, doublestar) are not banned, but must be configured properly

[matalac]

I doubt any of those whom I spoke to misunderstood me. How can gunstore owners not know about the popularity of Ar-15's, especially in CA.

[dustoff31]

I doubt any of those whom I spoke to misunderstood me. How can gunstore owners not know about the popularity of Ar-15's, especially in CA.

I don't think they misunderstood you either. I think they answered the question you asked, if indeed you asked for an AR-15. Selling AR-15s is a felony. Selling OLL's is perfectly legal.

[SemiAutoSam]

Its called FUD well that and intimidation from the local DOJ agents.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience in my Home Turf.

JJ Smoke wagons is a FFL that I bypassed with the Flow Chart as they don't have standard hours and I didn't feel it was worth my time to make an appointment to educate them.

I doubt any of those whom I spoke to misunderstood me. How can gun store owners not know about the popularity of Ar-15's, especially in CA.

Honestly they would still call a OLL a AR15 from my dealings with them they aren't too bright, nothing against them just my observation from talking with them.

I don't think they misunderstood you either. I think they answered the question you asked, if indeed you asked for an AR-15. Selling AR-15s is a felony. Selling OLL's is perfectly legal.

[matalac]

original question:

Hello,

I'm piecing together an AR-15 and am looking for a local Chico-area firearms dealer that carries Lower Receivers. I was wondering if you had any in stock and, if you have them, what your current going rate is.

Thanks

[gunrun45]

Olde West gun and Loan in Redding.

[dustoff31]

original question:

Hello,

I'm piecing together an AR-15 and am looking for a local Chico-area firearms dealer that carries Lower Receivers. I was wondering if you had any in stock and, if you have them, what your current going rate is.

Thanks

Well, there is your problem. You told him you commiting a felony and asked him to help you. I'd say no too.

AR-15s are illegal. Certain other lower receivers that look just like AR-15s, have the same dimensions, and do the same thing are not AR-15s and are therefore legal.

[Hopi]

Back in Dec. '05, when I was feverishly calling nationally to convince both an importer and a transfer FFL to get my .223 self-loading receivers...it was real tough convincing in those days, so I would start with simple questions like...
"Will you transfer an out-of-state gun from an FFL?"
the response was almost always "Yes, as long as it's not an AW."

Then, I would inform the FFL of the receivers in question, and provide them with the AW list, SB23 features list, and pertinent legal info.

I conspicuously omitted any mention of the term "AR-15" unless specifically asked. I had found that most gun shops weren't very fluent in CA gun laws, and when presented with the info in the sequence above, I was often able to avoid the FUD discussion.

One of the out of state dealers really warmed my heart when he opined, "of course I'll send [them] in, you mean there are some of these that are illegal because of the brand name? You guys need all the help you can get.."

[aplinker]

I think any educated dealer would get the point.

The bottom line is that email isn't the brightest way to contact people about a confusing situation, especially when you write a minimally correct and non-explanatory version.

Remember, FFLs livelihoods are based on correctly complying with complicated laws. I think your expectation that they should simply be doing this and have them in stock is off the mark. I'm always surprised by this attitude by new posters.

You JUST got here. Did you know they were legal before you did? Do you know what it took to get to this point where dealers are comfortable to sell them?

It's been a long and storied process... I'm not too surprised when old-school shops and big box dealers don't do it. The law on the books reads as though ALL ARs and AKs are illegal. It's tough to convince people and help them understand that, in essence, that law is illegal.

[matalac]

good to know, dealers must have more pressure on them than I previously thought.

You JUST got here. Did you know they were legal before you did? Do you know what it took to get to this point where dealers are comfortable to sell them?

Not to be hostile but I'm not an idiot. I'm familiar with california gun and knife laws. Being that I have never purchased or built a rifle I've never been exposed to the innards of the firearms industry.

[tgun]

So what is the proper term for a completed rifle that looks like an AR-15 but is based on an off-list lower?

[SemiAutoSam]

I call it an OLR.

So what is the proper term for a completed rifle that looks like an AR-15 but is based on an off-list lower?