"Complete Lower" - FFL Says Not CA Compliant?

[flectarn]

I purchased a semi-complete lower (With Standard AR Grip and buffer tube but no stock)

FFL Called me today to say that the lower is non-compliant and will have to be modified.

I have purchased and transferred several "complete" lowers over the years but he assures me that it was not legal.

Can anyone clarify the legality and reference the legal verbiage for me?

[Nardo1895]

With the information provided it seems like the FFL is incorrect. Without the upper it generally can't be non-complaint.

If it is a named lower it would be non-compliant, but there isn't any modification you can do to make a named lower compliant. The one exception I know about is Rock River Arms lowers. There are a few Rock River Arms models that are named AWs. You can still use a RRA lower for a compliant build as long as its in a configuration different than the named models. Not all FFLs will sell RRAs for that reason though.

Its also possible that the FFL has a store policy not to sell built lowers. This might go back to the early days of CA AR15s where a complete lower with detachable magazine capability was considered (by some) to be an AW. Build information back then cautioned you to not install the pistol grip until after you'd installed the compliant mag release or you'd create an AW for the 10 minutes it took you to complete the build.

I know other FFLs who just won't deal with anything AR.

A lot of speculation here. It would be helpful to have a little more information.

At the end of the day, its up to the FFL to decide what they are willing to do with AR type firearms.

[ugimports]

I purchased a semi-complete lower (With Standard AR Grip and buffer tube but no stock)



FFL Called me today to say that the lower is non-compliant and will have to be modified.



I have purchased and transferred several "complete" lowers over the years but he assures me that it was not legal.



Can anyone clarify the legality and reference the legal verbiage for me?

Ask the FFL which penal code you are violating and how their proposed modifications make it better. They will have trouble finding it..

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

[ronlglock]

Without an upper, the firearm cannot be non-compliant. For example, put a .22 LR, bolt-action or single shot upper on top and nothing is an evil feature on the lower.

[Quiet]

CA assault weapons laws for rifles applies to semi-auto centerfire rifes. [PC 30515(a)(1),(2),(3)]

Without an upper receiver attached, the firearm is not semi-auto or centerfire.

Therefore, a stripped or complete AR15 type lower receiver does not meet CA's definition of an assault weapon.
^Even though it is DROS'd as a "rifle, receiver". Since it's not semi-auto or centerfire, it does not meet the definition of an assault weapon.

[ShepherdFirearms]

I have leaflets of the law posted above as I sell complete BB lowers.. I get every would be gun law expert tell me I am breaking the law....

[cappah78]

I purchased a semi-complete lower (With Standard AR Grip and buffer tube but no stock)

FFL Called me today to say that the lower is non-compliant and will have to be modified.

I have purchased and transferred several "complete" lowers over the years but he assures me that it was not legal.

Can anyone clarify the legality and reference the legal verbiage for me?

The very minimum modification that would need to be done is to replace the standard pistol grip with one with a fin making it featureless. If you dont want the fin-style pistol grip, then it would need to be configured into a fixed-magazine. If that route, I would recommend a drop-in fixed magazine from Franklin Armory. It only requires removing the bolt catch, then drop in the magazine through the top and re-installing the bolt catch. The magazine will can only be removed from the top (not bottom) and his held in place by the bolt catch's lip.

[taperxz]

The very minimum modification that would need to be done is to replace the standard pistol grip with one with a fin making it featureless. If you dont want the fin-style pistol grip, then it would need to be configured into a fixed-magazine. If that route, I would recommend a drop-in fixed magazine from Franklin Armory. It only requires removing the bolt catch, then drop in the magazine through the top and re-installing the bolt catch. The magazine will can only be removed from the top (not bottom) and his held in place by the bolt catch's lip.

[BillyMays]

Tell him you're putting a dedicated .22 LR upper on it and the assault weapon nonsense doesn't apply to rimfire. Then watch him squirm in confusion trying to prove he's still right.

Edit: I see this thread is a few weeks old. Would like to know how it turned out.

[Packy14]

The very minimum modification that would need to be done is to replace the standard pistol grip with one with a fin making it featureless. If you dont want the fin-style pistol grip, then it would need to be configured into a fixed-magazine. If that route, I would recommend a drop-in fixed magazine from Franklin Armory. It only requires removing the bolt catch, then drop in the magazine through the top and re-installing the bolt catch. The magazine will can only be removed from the top (not bottom) and his held in place by the bolt catch's lip.

[taperxz]

It is in California unless you are a police officer or its a PPT.

[igs]

Name the FFL.

If a frame or receiver can only be made into a long gun (rifle or shotgun), it is still a frame or receiver not a handgun or long gun.

[morrcarr67]

I have leaflets of the law posted above as I sell complete BB lowers.. I get every would be gun law expert tell me I am breaking the law....

And, where do you sell such items? No info in your signature letting me know that you may be in my neck of the woods or not.

[SkyHawk]

I have leaflets of the law posted above as I sell complete BB lowers.. I get every would be gun law expert tell me I am breaking the law....

Because what good does a BB lower do anyone now? Just because you can doesn't mean you should...

You are breaking the 'law of working smarter' if nothing else, seriously wtf.

[Bullets&Whitewalls]

I have leaflets of the law posted above as I sell complete BB lowers.. I get every would be gun law expert tell me I am breaking the law....