What was legal in AWB days?

[anothergunnut]

From 1994 to 2004, it was illegal to manufacture "assaut weapons". Was it actually legal to manufacture them utilizing the same process as buying an NFA weapon? Or was it flat out prohibited?

[M. Sage]

They had retarded "evil features" much like our own oh-so-effective SB-23.

The day after the ban became law, there were AR-15s for sale without flash-hiders or bayonet lugs.

[courteousgavin]

And they could still manufacture them in regular configuration for government/law enforcement.

[Technical Ted]

Rifles assembled prior to September 13, 1994 that then became defined as Assault Weapons under the Federal AWB could still be transfered, bought and sold. There was no registration required. The only regulation was on their manufacture.

For reference see:

http://www.ar15.com/content/legal/preORpost.html

Federal law allowed for a detachable magazine and one evil feature before it became an Assault Weapon. California's SB23 only allowed for no evil features if the rifle is capable of accepting a detachable magazine.

Any semiautomatic rifle that has the ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least 2 of the following features:

• a folding or telescoping stock.
• a pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
• a bayonet mount.
• a flash suppressor or a threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor.
• a grenade launcher.

12276.1. (a) Notwithstanding Section 12276, "assault weapon" shall also mean any of the following:
(1) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:
(A) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
(B) A thumbhole stock.
(C) A folding or telescoping stock.
(D) A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
(E) A flash suppressor.
(F) A forward pistol grip.

(2) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.

(3) A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches.