confused about a transfer.

[gadgetguy1288]

Well My 2 spikes lowers got to my FFL yesterday, and my bushmaster that i ordered came in today. I went there this afternoon to pick them up and when he called the FBI number they told him i was not old enough to make the transfer! WHAT?!?!?! Im 20 yrs old, turning 21 in December. He called them back to talk to someone higher up and they told him that im able to transfer the rifle, just not the receivers. how can that be???? Back in July I had purchased a stag stripped lower while on vacation in WI, and everything went fine! I got back here to AK, and decided I was going to buy a complete rifle before getting into a build, and sold it. But i was still able to have it transfered to me!!!!! did the law change since July?

SOMEONE HELP ME!!

I really don't want to have let my lowers sit at my ffl, and hold off on my 6.8 build for 4 months!!

If this doesn't belong in this section, can the Mods please move it? Thanks

 

[Zak Smith]

It's because a stripped lower can be made into a pistol or a rifle. It's not sold as either technically.

 

[blume357]

I thought the registered part had to be documented as one or the other?

You can't make a ruger 10/22 receiver into a pistol (Ruger Charger). But you can make a Charger pistol into a 'legal' 10/22 rifle ... longer barrel and full stock.

 

[Xanatos]

AR stripped lower receivers are tricky. I originally bought a full AR-15 and for my 6.8 build I planned on building it, but when I went to my LGS I was told I had to be 21 to buy a stripped lower receiver, but they would gladly sell me a completed rifle receiver. I think part of the same law is making shotguns with pistol grips for 21+ only too. It's stupid, but whatever. Depending on the laws of your state, you may have to get a friend to pick them up for you and then do a bill of sale once you leave the store (that's the policy at my LGS, they'll advise you on how to legally get around the law as long as you don't do it inside their store).

 

[johnbt]

You order a gun, have a friend pick it up and then do a bill of sale in the parking lot?

This can only end badly if push ever comes to shove. What about the question on the 4473 - Are you the actual purchaser?

John

 

[PetahW]

[Depending on the laws of your state, you may have to get a friend to pick them up for you and then do a bill of sale once you leave the store (that's the policy at my LGS, they'll advise you on how to legally get around the law as long as you don't do it inside their store). ]

That is the very definition of a "strawman purchase", is illegal, and prosecutable by BATFE.

BATFE uses that very method to catch out FFL's who "cheat" thusly.

The last prosecution, in my local area, lost his FFL forever, can have NO firearms in his sporting goods/engraving shop, and was assessed a $50,000 fine, which got plea bargained down to $10K.
Every firearm that was in his store got removed by BATFE, and was later placed on consignment sale at another local FFL.

If you're gonna play, you'll eventually pay.

.

 

[gotigers]

have your FFL install the lower's components and upper, register it, then transfer the complete rifle.

 

[berettaprofessor]

How about if the FFL gives you a table in the back and lets you build the lowers and then transfers them as rifles? Takes, what, about 30 minutes/lower? Wouldn't that be legal?

 

[Xanatos]

Wow that was posted late last night and I feel stupid for not reading that through twice before posting. What I meant was, have a friend buy the stripped lower receiver, build it into a completed rifle length receiver, and then sell it to you as such.

 

[NavyLT]

have your FFL install the lower's components and upper, register it, then transfer the complete rifle.

How about if the FFL gives you a table in the back and lets you build the lowers and then transfers them as rifles? Takes, what, about 30 minutes/lower? Wouldn't that be legal?

Both of those instances requires the FFL to be licensed as a manufacturer as well as a dealer. Stripped lower receiver gets entered into the bound book as a receiver and gets transferred out of the bound book as a complete rifle -requires a manufacturer's license. That one would be easily caught during a BATFE audit and be cause for revocation of the dealer's license.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

It's because a stripped lower can be made into a pistol or a rifle. It's not sold as either technically.

Technically sorta-kinda.

It is because a person under 21 can only purchase a "rifle" or "shotgun" from a FFL. A receiver does not meet the definition of a "rilfe" and therefore cannot be sold to anyone under 21. It is the same thing that prevents anyone under 21 from purchasing a pistol gripped only shotgun. Since it is not designed to be fired from the shoulder, it does not meet the definition of a "shotgun" and is instead considered a "Title I Firearm".

On the other hand, if the dealer bolted a shoulder stock to the receiver and then removed it, the receiver is then and forever more a "rifle" per ATF's own rulings and could never be made into a "pistol". As it is then a "Rifle", it could be transferred to the OP.

 

[NavyLT]

On the other hand, if the dealer bolted a shoulder stock to the receiver and then removed it, the receiver is then and forever more a "rifle" per ATF's own rulings and could never be made into a "pistol". As it is then a "Rifle", it could be transferred to the OP.

Again, though, not unless the dealer also had a manufacturing license. In order to change a stripped lower received into their bound book into a "rifle", the FFL must possess a manufacturer's license, because that is what they are doing, the are manufacturer a "rifle" that did exist before.

 

[Hkmp5sd]

I disagree on this one. The stripped receiver is considered a Title I Firearm and the manufacturing tax has already been paid for it. The FFL isn't manufacturing a firearm, he his changing the classification. An FFL can bolt a shoulder stock to a PG only shotgun and sell it to an under 21 as a "shotgun" without being considered the manufacturer.

 

[jgcoastie]

? For the OP

Is your father available to pick up the lowers? It wouldn't be a "straw man purchase" if your father/mother bought it intending for it to be a gift for you.

Would it?

 

[Hkmp5sd]

Would it?

He has already paid for them. Be real hard to convince anyone the parents suddenly decided to "gift" them.

Using anyone to get around the transfer paperwork is illegal, no matter how you word it or how many "winks" and "nods" are given.

 

[jgcoastie]

Fair enough HK, didn't know he already paid for them. If he had not, would a parent still be able to buy it as a gift without breaking the law?

Disclaimer: I'm not trying to promote/advocate/advise/etc any illegal behavior, just seeking knowledge.

 

[blume357]

Gez, guys & gals... not really critisizing but it is interesting to see

all the internet lawyers trying to figure out how to legally get around a really stupid law that serve no real purpose.

Sounds to me like the young guy needs to pay the FFL to ship it back tot he seller and let them fix it or pay them more to modify it.