3 ms·

Can you explain the mistake the author made in more detail? I think he's confusing "it's legal to own an 80% lower and some gun parts with no serial number unti

by strken 7y ago

Can you explain the mistake the author made in more detail? I think he's confusing "it's legal to own an 80% lower and some gun parts with no serial number until you mill the lower" with "it's legal to own the resulting gun", but I'm not a gun owner and don't know the law.

jonhohle 7y ago
I think your assessment is correct. AFAIK, there’s no legal definition of an 80% lower, and the only cases I know of that have tested the idea had to do with completely milled lowers which were then filled with plastic to make it easier to mill. The feds didn’t like this, so I don’t think those are sold commercially any more. I believe OP is right, though I’m not a resident of CA: you can have a non-functional piece of metal or a registered functional “firearm” (which the feds say is the lower). A functional, unregistered lower would be against CA law. In other states, like neighboring AZ, there’s no issue purchasing an unregistered, non-functional lower, finishing it into a functional piece, and then using it for private use (including non-commercial sale).
Rebelgecko 7y ago
What I'd suspect is happening: In California you need the state DOJ's permission to mill an 80% lower, then they give you a serial number that you have to engrave on it within 10 days. Other states have different laws. Some are similar to CA but most are less restrictive. There are places where it is true to say that "Such firearms have no serial numbers, and ... legally bypass background checks and registration regulations." But the author is conflating the national laws with the laws for manufacturing in California (without mentioning that what happened in California is actually multiple felonies). It's either ignorant, unintentionally misleading, or pushing a narrative.

3 ms·

Can you explain the mistake the author made in more detail? I think he's confusing "it's legal to own an 80% lower and some gun parts with no serial number unti

by strken 7y ago

jonhohle 7y ago
I think your assessment is correct. AFAIK, there’s no legal definition of an 80% lower, and the only cases I know of that have tested the idea had to do with completely milled lowers which were then filled with plastic to make it easier to mill. The feds didn’t like this, so I don’t think those are sold commercially any more. I believe OP is right, though I’m not a resident of CA: you can have a non-functional piece of metal or a registered functional “firearm” (which the feds say is the lower). A functional, unregistered lower would be against CA law. In other states, like neighboring AZ, there’s no issue purchasing an unregistered, non-functional lower, finishing it into a functional piece, and then using it for private use (including non-commercial sale).
Rebelgecko 7y ago
What I'd suspect is happening: In California you need the state DOJ's permission to mill an 80% lower, then they give you a serial number that you have to engrave on it within 10 days. Other states have different laws. Some are similar to CA but most are less restrictive. There are places where it is true to say that "Such firearms have no serial numbers, and ... legally bypass background checks and registration regulations." But the author is conflating the national laws with the laws for manufacturing in California (without mentioning that what happened in California is actually multiple felonies). It's either ignorant, unintentionally misleading, or pushing a narrative.