You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Legality of buying a stripped AR lower
- Thread starter SavageMOA
- Start date
fortkevin2
New member
From what I know I'm pretty sure it's legal. Buying rifles and shotguns(NC) it is legal when you are the age of 18+. I would think that a lower would be the same way as long as it was used as a long gun. If I am wrong, someone please correct me.
Edit-XLT basically said what I was thinking...
Edit-XLT basically said what I was thinking...
azredhawk44
Moderator
I've heard conflicting things about this... that the lower has to be declared a pistol or rifle either from the manufacturer or on the 4473 itself during the transaction.
Since an AR lower can be built into a pistol, I guess it makes sense. I don't agree with it, but it makes sense. The whole SBR and pistol nonsense is a legacy holdover from the 1934 NFA garbage and really needs some re-examining.
Especially in light of Miller, combined with Heller, and the fact that a huge percentage of our Armed Forces uses a sub-16" carbine.
Since an AR lower can be built into a pistol, I guess it makes sense. I don't agree with it, but it makes sense. The whole SBR and pistol nonsense is a legacy holdover from the 1934 NFA garbage and really needs some re-examining.
Especially in light of Miller, combined with Heller, and the fact that a huge percentage of our Armed Forces uses a sub-16" carbine.
The latest version of the 4473 "yellow sheet" that you fill out at the FFL now has categories for handgun, long gun, and other. Dealers used to transfer stripped lowers as long guns, unless the buyer specified handgun, so the dealer could transfer it to an 18 year old as a long gun. Now it has to transfer as "other" which I believe is not allowed to anyone under 21. I think the other category also includes pistol gripped rifles and shotguns.
I think you just waited a year too long to buy one.
Here is a link to the draft proposal of the new form:
http://www.nssf.org/share/PDF/4473_Draft.pdf
Here is something else that seems to confirm the new form, although I don't know for sure that <21 would be prohibited from buying a stripped lower.
http://www.madfi.org/post/4473_changes.pdf
I think you just waited a year too long to buy one.
Here is a link to the draft proposal of the new form:
http://www.nssf.org/share/PDF/4473_Draft.pdf
Here is something else that seems to confirm the new form, although I don't know for sure that <21 would be prohibited from buying a stripped lower.
http://www.madfi.org/post/4473_changes.pdf
Last edited:
So should I contact the seller of the item, or the local FFL I'm going to use, in order to determine the legality of it?
Since it's on GunBroker, and I'm currently still the high bidder and would rather not **** off the seller by winning and "changing my mind", Is there any way I can talk to him and we can get around it? Such as adding a stock?
Since it's on GunBroker, and I'm currently still the high bidder and would rather not **** off the seller by winning and "changing my mind", Is there any way I can talk to him and we can get around it? Such as adding a stock?
Last edited:
studman5578
New member
I'm 18 and was going to go buy an ar15 lower this weekend but even though I am buying it from a store, will I not be able to buy it? If all lowers are pistols, wouldn't that then make all ar15's into pistols?
vranasaurus
New member
It used to be that stripped lowers had to be declared rifle or pistol. Now they are just receivers but because they can be turned into a pistol they are restricted to 21 and over.
The question I have is this. A local gun shop has a few RRA "pistol" lowers. These are marked "pistol only". The marking isn't engraved into the receiver it appears to be some kind of adhesive lettering. Would it be a violation of any law to make them into rifles and remove the lettering?
The question I have is this. A local gun shop has a few RRA "pistol" lowers. These are marked "pistol only". The marking isn't engraved into the receiver it appears to be some kind of adhesive lettering. Would it be a violation of any law to make them into rifles and remove the lettering?
studman5578
New member
...Are you Sure?
I just got off the phone with a gun store here in Illinois and the guy who answered the phone said that they will sell lowers to people between the ages of 18 and 21 who have a FOID card. Just thought I'd share.
I just got off the phone with a gun store here in Illinois and the guy who answered the phone said that they will sell lowers to people between the ages of 18 and 21 who have a FOID card. Just thought I'd share.