AR Pistols - General Question

[Bete Noire]

Didn't want to post this question on anyone's for sale thread, so I'll ask it here. I know the ATF says that an AR pistols can be self-built on "any" stripped lower that has never had a rifle built on it, but does California allow that since the lower is DROS'd as a rifle and not as "other" for stripped lowers? I'm seeing ones for sale on Calguns that appear to be built on factory (non 80%) lowers that I'm assuming may have been originally purchased and DROS'd as a "rifle" lower. Just wondering how that works?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

[Quiet]

Didn't want to post this question on anyone's for sale thread, so I'll ask it here. I know the ATF says that an AR pistols can be self-built on "any" stripped lower that has never had a rifle built on it, but does California allow that since the lower is DROS'd as a rifle and not as "other" for stripped lowers? I'm seeing ones for sale on Calguns that appear to be built on factory (non 80%) lowers that I'm assuming may have been originally purchased and DROS'd as a "rifle" lower. Just wondering how that works?

Under Federal laws/regulations...

A receiver is a Title 1 Other.

A Title 1 Other can legally be used to make another type of firearm.

Which means it's legal to use a Title 1 Other (AR receiver) to make a Title 1 Handgun (AR pistol).


Under CA laws/regulations...

CA DROS only has "handgun" and "long gun".

As of 01-01-2014, because they are not listed on the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale, an AR15 style receiver is typically DROS'd as a "long gun" (category = long gun, subcateogry = rifle, subcategory = receiver).
^An exemption (LEO sale, PPT of one that was previously DROS'd as a "handgun") can be utilized to DROS them as a "handgun".

A firearm with a less than 16" barrel length or a less than 26" overall length that is made from a "rifle" is a SBR. [PC 17170(c)]

Which means using a receiver that was DROS'd as a "long gun" to make a "handgun", will cause the resulting firearm to be considered a SBR under CA laws.

A receiver that is DROS'd as a "handgun" can be legally used to make a "handgun" that complies with CA unsafe handgun laws, CA assault weapons laws, CA unconventional pistol laws, and CA zip gun laws.

[Bete Noire]

[ai6311]

sir, i have a ar lower registered as a pistol. would i be violating any california laws if i mail ordered a 10.5" barreled complete upper from palmetto state armory?

[Blade Gunner]

sir, i have a ar lower registered as a pistol. would i be violating any california laws if i mail ordered a 10.5" barreled complete upper from palmetto state armory?

Registered as an BBRAW or registered when you bought it?
If you register it as a BBRAW it would have had to be a complete operational pistol at time of registration. You can change the upper. Remember NFA rules also apply.

If its just a lower, DOJ would not have accepted it to be registered as a BBRAW and you could not just put an upper on it and remain legal.

[sbo80]

lots of receivers were bought outside of ca, and therefore could have been made as a pistol. Then person moves into ca, files new resident form. So, factory lower, registered to ca as a pistol. Or they were exempt and bought it as a pistol. If you're worried about a purchase, ask seller if they have paperwork from ca doj showing it's a pistol. I do for mine, and would supply it if selling.