I guess I'm building an AR-15. Legal or not?

[Cullen]

I graduated High School earlier this month. As I understand it being 18 means I can legally own a long arm in Missouri, so says my cousin (who's also a member here). So I think I have that much covered.

Here's what I don't know and he can't give a straight answer on. What are the ins and outs legally to building an AR-15? As a graduation present my grandfather got me this DPMS Stripped Lower Receiver. His words when he handed it to me were "You need a hobby" . With my savings and the $200 my grandmother gave me (she doesn't know about the lower receiver) I've got $530 to build this thing. I've been going through AR15.com's guides to figure out how to build this, but I don't know what's legal and not.

I've found a stripped upper receiver locally, and JSESurplus in St. Louis has everything else. So if I use the stripped upper and my lower, and then use a barrel and other parts from JSE, will my AR-15 be legal? Or do I have to register it? The upper is the only part considered a firearm by law right?

 

[Nebuchadnezzar]

I don't know how your local firearm registration laws go but as far as federal law goes you're ok.

The lower is that part that counts as a firearm BTW.

 

[Zanad]

according to the ATF, you already have the gun(stripped reviever). the rest is parts meaning you have to buy a lower reciever parts kit for it(semi auto of course) and assemble it yourself. you will also need a butstock assebly kit.

now depending on where you live, there may be restrictions on what you can have on this rifle. this can be a problem if you live in a restrictive area.

i'm going to asume your not in a restrictive area and show you to a youtube video that can explain what you need alot betterthan i can. these vids helped me alot when building my gun.

and yes, this is legal to assemble your own gun.

Assembling an AR-15 Stripped Lower 1 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA_Vkb2UB1w

Assembling an AR-15 Stripped Lower 2 of 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq4KfUaVp8M&feature=related

 

[jonnyc]

As I understand it, if the stripped lower is a completely finished piece, it should have a serial number. That would be the serial number of the completed rifle.

 

[Sam1911]

Hi Cullen, and welcome to THR!

(I moved this to the Legal forum as you're asking a question on firearms law. If you need advice on the technical aspects of your build you can start a more specific thread in the Rifle or Gunsmithing forums.)

If you tell us what state you reside in we can give you more specific information on the laws of your area, but most states do not have special restrictions on an AR-15 style rifle.

As you own a "stripped receiver" you really aren't "manufacturing" a rifle. From a legal standpoint, that receiver (built by a FFL manufacturer, with a serial number, and sold by an FFL dealer) IS a rifle and the same rules apply to it as to a complete, working AR-15. Federally, you may complete it however you wish, so long as you don't alter it to be fully-automatic, and you don't install a barrel shorter than 16" or somehow make it less than 26" in overall length (with the collapsable buttstock fully extended, if you have one).

Where the state laws can get you is that a few states still have restrictions in place on flash-hiders, bayonet lugs, and other such silliness, and you do need to follow those rules, so tell us where you live and we'll let you know if any of those apply to you, or research that for yourself before you start.

Just FYI:
It would also be legal for you to actually MAKE your own firearms, if you so desire and you have the skills. There's nothing illegal about building a gun from scratch as long as you aren't making them to sell.

 

[Victor1Echo]

As a graduation present my grandfather got me this DPMS Stripped Lower Receiver. His words when he handed it to me were "You need a hobby"

Awesome! What a lucky young man you are. Welcome!

 

[tkopp]

Buying an AR15 piecewise, what to look for. Bear in mind this guide is getting a little dated, as the various manufacturers have changed their specs and prices. Learn what features to shop for, then go out and see what can be had for your price point.

Missouri Weapons Offenses. Read them. Don't count on family members to tell you the law, because if a cop comes knocking it could mean losing your money or your freedoms. Know the law and abide by it, because when the call goes out about a man with a gun there aren't many second chances.

Though, for all my browbeating, look up 571-060. Your cousin was right

 

[NavyLCDR]

As you own a "stripped receiver" you really aren't "manufacturing" a rifle. From a legal standpoint, that receiver (built by a FFL manufacturer, with a serial number, and sold by an FFL dealer) IS a rifle and the same rules apply to it as to a complete, working AR-15.

I beg to differ, Sam. Brigadoon's in Oklahoma City obtained a manufacturer's license specifically for the purpose of putting together custom AR-15's ordered by customers. They would obtain the lowers and uppers the customers wanted and whatever other parts, and assemble them. They did not actually make anything there, the simply put the parts together, and, since they were doing it as a business, required the license.

Same thing goes for reloaders. Reloaders are considered manufacturers of ammunition, even though they are using pre-made (even used) components, IF they sell their reloads for profit as a business.

The action that requires the manufacturer's license is not the making of the parts themselves - the action that requires the license is being engaged in a business.

A person who builds their own AR-15(s) from parts does not require the license even though they are manufacturing a firearm. A person who builds AR-15(s) from parts to sell for profit as a business requires the license. A person who reloads for their own use does not require a license, a person who reloads for profit as a business requires a license.

 

[ForumSurfer]

Good luck, congrats and welcome!

Listen to the mods and experienced members, they know what they are talking about...

The guides at AR15.com are awesome. I built my AR15 from scratch using those guides. The only ar experience I had going in was a little plinking on a friend's rifle. I knew the controls and that was it, didn't have a working knowledge or even know how to field strip the thing. Thanks to ar15.com's guides and a few brownell's youtube videos I have a fully functioning rifle.

My advice...get a friend or a friend with a vice to help you assemble the lower and buy the block to hold your upper in place on the vice. It will keep you from marring the finish or scarring the aluminum. Go ahead and get a good bunch set to assemble those pins, too. I was able to keep my costs down by using bravo company stuff on the upper. Turned out to be a nice shooting, reliable, accurate upper.

 

[TX1911fan]

ForumSurfer meant a good punch set, not bunch set.

 

[Sam1911]

NavyLT, sure, you are absolutely right. I'm a little confused as to how that differs from what I said, though. I just left out the part about needing a license to build them for sale, right? (As it isn't pertinent to Cullen's question.)

A company "assembling" rifles for sale is certainly "in the business of" and would need an FFL. In this case, I assume the distinction is that they got an 07 as a manufacturer instead of an 01 as a gunsmith, correct?

 

[Cullen]

I'm in Missouri, Excelsior Springs to be exact. I can legally own a full-fledged AR-15 here right? Also on something Sam1911 said, if I build with this lower, it can be transferred right? As in, I could let others shoot it when it's done? I don't intend to sell it.

 

[tincanhunter]

Looking at this website - http://crime.about.com/od/gunlawsbystate/a/gunlaws_mo.htm.

I would say the answers are yes, yes and yes. Unless there is some silly law not allowing people under 21 to own black rifles. I didn't see it on the website though.

 

[mhuegerich]

Cullen,

I'm from St. Louis, and you shouldn't have any problems with your plan as long as you follow the federal laws on rifles (barrel length, etc.). If you decide to build an AR pistol, you need to see if the lower receiver was designated as such. When your grandpa purchased the lower receiver, it had to be declared a pistol or long gun on the 4473.

I've built three AR's over the past couple years, and there are no Missouri requirments regarding the various features restricted in other states. Of course no full auto as another member mentioned below.

Buy an AR combo wrench. It will make life easier during assembly.

Good luck with your build.

 

[NavyLCDR]

NavyLT, sure, you are absolutely right. I'm a little confused as to how that differs from what I said, though.

I might have misunderstood your post:

As you own a "stripped receiver" you really aren't "manufacturing" a rifle. From a legal standpoint, that receiver (built by a FFL manufacturer, with a serial number, and sold by an FFL dealer) IS a rifle and the same rules apply to it as to a complete, working AR-15.

And, actually, a stripped receiver when purchased from an FFL is sold as an "other firearm", neither a pistol nor a rifle, and, therefore, the pistol rules apply, not the rifle rules (or more acurately, the long gun exceptions to the rules don't apply).

And, yes, Brigadoon's got a 07 Manufacturer's License.

 

[Sam1911]

Also on something Sam1911 said, if I build with this lower, it can be transferred right? As in, I could let others shoot it when it's done? I don't intend to sell it.

Two different questions there. "Transferred" is only the correct term for selling or giving that rifle to another person -- transferring it to their ownership. That might be a face-to-face private sale between residents of the same state (assuming your state allows such), or it may be a sale from or to a dealer in your state or another state.

You may sell any firearm, whether you've simply assembled a functional rifle on a complete lower (not "manufactured" as it were), or if you make the whole thing yourself.

(If you make a firearm from scratch and eventually decide to sell it you'll need to add a serial number and some other identifying marks, per ATF guidelines.)

Letting another person shoot your firearm isn't a "transfer" and is legal in almost every case (unless the person you're giving it to isn't legally allowed to use firearms, e.g.: felon). In fact, you can loan or rent a firearm to someone in any state without doing a transfer.

Good luck!