Question about Overall Length with new 2017 law

[redxmaverick]

I'm a new firearms owner. Bought an AR15 last month for my birthday.

I understand if we want to keep our semi-auto centerfire rifles as is with the new 2017 law, we must register them as an assault weapon. I apologize if these questions have already been asked and answered.

Questions

1) If I register it as an AW, can I modify the overall length of my rifle to be under 30 inches in length but at least 26 inches?

2) Can I build an AR from a stripped lower to be 26 inches?

Thank you for your time.

[BAJ475]

I'm a new firearms owner. Bought an AR15 last month for my birthday.

I understand if we want to keep our semi-auto centerfire rifles as is with the new 2017 law, we must register them as an assault weapon. I apologize if these questions have already been asked and answered.

Questions

1) If I register it as an AW, can I modify the overall length of my rifle to be under 30 inches in length but at least 26 inches?

2) Can I build an AR from a stripped lower to be 26 inches?

Thank you for your time.

At this time, it is unknown what changes or modifications may be made to ARs lawfully registered as AWs after 1/1/17. This same type of question applies to removal of BBs. As far as building an AR with a length of less than 30 inches, the answer is clearly NO. It has to be a legally configured rifle on 12/31/16 and an AR built with an length of less than 30 inches would be illegal on 12/31/16. After, 12/31/16 only featureless centerfire semiautomatic rifles can be built from AR lowers. If it has any feature, it cannot be semiautomatic if it fires a centerfire cartridge.

[Cokebottle]

2) Can I build an AR from a stripped lower to be 26 inches?

Theoretically, you "may" legally do so.

Whether you physically "can" or not is the question.

My camo AR is about as short as one can be made without violation of NFA regs. Remember, you have two issues... Minimum OAL of 26", and minimum barrel length of 16".

Mine has a 14.5" barrel with a 2" Smith Vortex flash hider.
With the buttstock completely collapsed (buffer tube flush), OAL is about 30.25 give or take an eighth.
You might be able to complete one just a hair under 30" and still maintain a 16" barrel, but you aren't going to trim 4" off of that.

That's what the Bullpup is all about. The current California-legal bullpups have an extended flash hider or fake can that brings the OAL to 30".
After registration next year, those could theoretically be replaced with the original flash hider.


As for building directly to a 26" configuration from a stripped lower IN 2017, no, that will not be legal.
It is, and will remain illegal to assemble or possess an assault weapon.
The registration requirements of 2017 require that the assault weapon be legally possessed from 2001 to 2016.
You can not today build a 26" OAL rifle.
You can not RAW a build that was not legally in your possession on Dec 31 2016.

Best case, build it in a compliant form now and convert after registration.... then be prepared to deal with.....

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=1254910

[BAJ475]

Theoretically, you "may" legally do so.

Whether you physically "can" or not is the question.

My camo AR is about as short as one can be made without violation of NFA regs. Remember, you have two issues... Minimum OAL of 26", and minimum barrel length of 16".

Mine has a 14.5" barrel with a 2" Smith Vortex flash hider.
With the buttstock completely collapsed (buffer tube flush), OAL is about 30.25 give or take an eighth.
You might be able to complete one just a hair under 30" and still maintain a 16" barrel, but you aren't going to trim 4" off of that.

That's what the Bullpup is all about. The current California-legal bullpups have an extended flash hider or fake can that brings the OAL to 30".
After registration next year, those could theoretically be replaced with the original flash hider.


As for building directly to a 26" configuration from a stripped lower IN 2017, no, that will not be legal.
It is, and will remain illegal to assemble or possess an assault weapon.
The registration requirements of 2017 require that the assault weapon be legally possessed from 2001 to 2016.
You can not today build a 26" OAL rifle.
You can not RAW a build that was not legally in your possession on Dec 31 2016.

Best case, build it in a compliant form now and convert after registration.... then be prepared to deal with.....
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/s....php?t=1254910

As I pointed out, at this time it is unknown what changes or modifications may be made to ARs lawfully registered as AWs after 1/1/17. While there seems to be a consensus that it will be legally possible to remove BBs, no one knows for sure. Thus, I would not speculate about the possibility of legally modifying an AR rifle to an OAL of less than 30 inches.

As you said, build it to a present legal configuration and keep you fingers crossed.

[redxmaverick]

Thank you for your answers!

I will keep my eyes and ears open to further news.

[Junkie]

At this time, it is unknown what changes or modifications may be made to ARs lawfully registered as AWs after 1/1/17. This same type of question applies to removal of BBs. As far as building an AR with a length of less than 30 inches, the answer is clearly NO. It has to be a legally configured rifle on 12/31/16 and an AR built with an length of less than 30 inches would be illegal on 12/31/16. After, 12/31/16 only featureless centerfire semiautomatic rifles can be built from AR lowers. If it has any feature, it cannot be semiautomatic if it fires a centerfire cartridge.

Fixed magazine is also an option, not just featureless.