CMP "C" Grade M1 Garand Receiver and the DOJ

[Rozzi]

I rolled the dice and decided to get one of the "C" grade Garand receivers that CMP is currently offering. It came today and I was pleasantly surprised. A deeply struck low 6 digit (475XXX), with pitting as advertised, but not too bad. All in all, I'm very happy with it.

I've read conflicting thoughts on logging it into my bound book and decided I would log it in, just to be safe. However, I was wondering if I need to send in the $19 fee now for registration or down the road if/when I build it into a rifle? Right now it is just stripped receiver and will remain so until I decide to build it. Before I called DOJ, I figured I would ask here first. Thanks.

[TRICKSTER]

ATF has stated that a stripped receiver does not qualify for C&R status so it does not need to be entered in your bound book. AFAIK you will need to register it with DOJ but since a receiver is not a C&R item, I don't know how they will treat it. You may be a test case.

[chinaserf1]

So if it needs to be registered like any non-C&R firearm (hence the entire 80% lower market), does that make receiving it direct from the CMP a technical violation?

I looked for info on the CMP site, and their FAQ claims:

http://www.odcmp.com/Sales/faq.htm

First- we are not your regular gun dealer. The law that established the CMP exempted us from FFL requirements. We are not required to keep a 'book' or to ship only to another FFL. The law also specifies that we must have a completed 'successful' background check conducted for each sale. So - we cannot ship a rifle until we get a 'proceed' from the FBI. The three days after a 'delay' does not apply to us as it does to FFL licensed dealers. We can also ship direct to your home, where dealers cannot.

I was under the impression that after 2014 CA law requires CMP Garands purchased by non C&R holders to be jailed. I would be glad to be wrong.

[TRICKSTER]

So if it needs to be registered like any non-C&R firearm (hence the entire 80% lower market), does that make receiving it direct from the CMP a violation?

Maybe? I don't really know how the new registration law may have changed things especially since ATF claims it is not a C&R.

[Rozzi]

In addition to my certificate and receipt, the CMP sent along a 3 page packet. The first page is on their letterhead and states: "The congressional law that privatized the CMP, exempts us from the FFL requirements. The CMP does not have an FFL. Please use the following for your paperwork. Public Law 104-106 (Title 36, Chapter 407)"

Attached to this are two pages copied from the AG's office FAQ. Circled in black marker is: "I am not an FFL but I want to ship a firearm to a California FFL. Do I have to obtain a Firearms Shipment Approval number before shipping a firearm to CA? Answer: No. Only shipments from FFL require a Firearms Shipment Approval number."

Given how Orest has handled the new CA law with rifle shipments to CA, I'm very sure he would not be violating state law by mailing receivers in 2014. Plus receivers have been mailed to CA before 2014 with no problems. Looks like I will be calling DOJ in the morning to figure out the registration part.

[chinaserf1]

CMP, as always, knows their stuff and has excellent communications. Thanks for that information, Rozzi.

[phungn]

I've been wanting to order one but didn't want to go through this hassle. If you figure it out let us know

[Rozzi]

I heard back from the DOJ this morning after leaving a message yesterday. The receiver needs to be registered using the BOF 961 Form (with the $19.00 "fee") within 30 days of receipt. (Just like complete rifles/shotguns purchases) The lady that called advised me to write/type "receiver only" in the "Barrel Length" box on the BOF 961. She stated that when they get the form, they will annotate in the system that it is just a receiver, not a complete rifle. She relayed a story of a person putting ".01" in the barrel length box while trying to register a bare receiver and it triggered red flags for them. They had to call the person to clarify it was a bare receiver and not something else.

I asked her about the "Caliber" box and she said I could put 30-06 (or .308 if I knew which route I was was going to barrel the receiver as). I asked if I could write "receiver only" again in that box. She said that was fine also. Other then those annotations, you would submit the BOF 961 as normal to comply with the registration requirement. (knock on wood/fingers crossed )

[TRICKSTER]

Thanks for the update.

[toro1]

Am I understanding this correctly? I can order a Grade C receiver from CMP and still have it shipped directly to my house just like I did with a rifle in 2013? It does not need to go to a FFL01?

[TRICKSTER]

Am I understanding this correctly? I can order a Grade C receiver from CMP and still have it shipped directly to my house just like I did with a rifle in 2013? It does not need to go to a FFL01?

Only if you have a 03FFL and COE.

[pitfighter]

Thanks for the info.

[toro1]

Only if you have a 03FFL and COE.

Thanks. I thought that was the case, but it was not clear after reading this.

[chinaserf1]

ATF has stated that a stripped receiver does not qualify for C&R status so it does not need to be entered in your bound book. AFAIK you will need to register it with DOJ but since a receiver is not a C&R item, I don't know how they will treat it. You may be a test case.

Only if you have a 03FFL and COE.

I feel like I am stupidly unable to comprehend something here, but if the receiver does not qualify for C&R status why would an FFL03+COE allow the CMP to ship a non-C&R item to a C&R/COE holder but not anybody else?

The FFL03/COE holder is not technically licensed to receive non-C&R items, the receiver is a non-C&R item as you stated, so...?

[SanPedroShooter]

I feel like I am stupidly unable to comprehend something here, but if the receiver does not qualify for C&R status why would an FFL03+COE allow the CMP to ship a non-C&R item to a C&R/COE holder but not anybody else?

The FFL03/COE holder is not technically licensed to receive non-C&R items, the receiver is a non-C&R item as you stated, so...?

That's right. Ive been meaning to get a stripped M1 carbine receiver, but its not C&R so Ive been putting it off. I don't want to pay the transfer fines and tax.

Is the CMP and DOJ just nodding and winking at each other?

Not complaining by the way but its interesting. Maybe we shouldn't rock the boat.