How young can one be to own an SBR?

If you are 18, you can BUILD your own SBR.

If you are 21 you can BUY your own SBR from a dealer.

You only have to be 21 to buy from a dealer. At 18, you can buy from an individual or, I presume make one yourself.

From what I have found. You must 21 to own a NFA item. Form 1 ask if you are under 21.

I called the ATF to ask...and the agent with whom I spoke didn't know. (Surprise!?!) He is checking and is going to call me back. I am asking for a specific paragraph citation as I don't rely on opinions where these guys are concerned. The NFA does not specifically address age. The GCA allows for possession of a long gun by anyone over 18 (within other legal restrictions of course). I'll post what I get back.

Did you call the NFA branch ?

its 18 to make one, on the form where it asks you if you are under 21, you answer yes and in the comment section add that you are 18, 19, or 20

I just spoke with the NFA branch and was told that it is 21 to make the SBR as well as transfer one. The gentleman with whom I spoke, Mr. Mason, said that he would provide me chapter and verse if I sent him an e-mail. He said that they "fall back" on the 4473 as their reason for ruling. An 18-year-old can buy a long gun, but not a handgun or a stripped receiver (listed simply as a "firearm"). He said that because the SBR was no longer a "long gun" and was now a "firearm made from a rifle" it was no longer legal for the 18-year-old to make, buy or own.

Yes, but if you purchase an nfa weapon from an individual, you don't have to do a 4473. You only have to do the form 4 and tax. Hence private sales at 18 are ok.

Why don't you (Dad) just build it as a SBR, either through a 07/SOT or ATF form 1 and then fill out a ATF form 5 and when he is 21 its his free and clear.

and then fill out a ATF form 5 and when he is 21 its his free and clear.

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Do you have a belief that Dad (Messenger Guard) is going to die when his son turns 21?

Form 5 is for (among other things) tax-exempt transfer to an heir. "Heir" indicates disbursements of property after a death. Giving a rifle to a son isn't a bequest, it's just a gift, so it would have to be done on a Form 4.

1) You really need to speak with ATF Legal about this one, unless the guy at the NFA branch is going to kick your question over to them.

2) I would request a ruling in writing on ATF letterhead.

3) If ATF is says an SBR is no longer a "rifle", but merely a "firearm", as defined by the GCA, then 922(r) should definitely not apply to them - and I've read 'Yes' and 'No' from them on that particular question.

18+ for F1, 21+ for F4 from a dealer. I had NFA items (through F1s) at 19.

I'll dig around, but there's already been more than one of us to receive a letter on this and subsequently get NFA items. If I can find the letters, mine or others, I'll post them for you.

PTK said:

18+ for F1, 21+ for F4 from a dealer. I had NFA items (through F1s) at 19.

I'll dig around, but there's already been more than one of us to receive a letter on this and subsequently get NFA items. If I can find the letters, mine or others, I'll post them for you.

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You forgot F4 from individual

The NFA branch disagrees. But they have yet to offer me a citation as to the source of their opinion. What I was sent was information concerning the GCA and I pointed out that my question did NOT ask about that. I'll share whatever else I get.

Short answer: submit the Form 1 and see what happens.

MasterSergeantA said:

The NFA branch disagrees. But they have yet to offer me a citation as to the source of their opinion. What I was sent was information concerning the GCA and I pointed out that my question did NOT ask about that. I'll share whatever else I get.

Short answer: submit the Form 1 and see what happens.

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The NFA branch is wrong. This isnt the first time that NFA has told wrong things.

The NFA branch is wrong.

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Take that to court and see how that works out for you!

And...the NFA branch is the one that approves the Form 1.

Good luck.

I haven't been able to find the letter, I'm sorry. I never thought I'd need it again...

Anyway, worst case, I'll dig out the other ones. I'd just rather post the letter to me, is all, but there is NOTHING in law preventing 18-20 year-olds from making NFA items.


EDIT: Here you go.





"...the NFA is silent on age restrictions".

This is not my letter, however I received a quite similar one. Again, I had NFA items (on F1s) prior to turning 21. Call BS if you want, but... there's nothing in the law preventing it. The NFA tech branch can say what they want, but there would be no legal reason for a F1 denial. If denied, they'd have to put a reason. What is the legal reason? We don't feel like it? There are NO age restrictions in the NFA, and thus no legal reason to deny a F1.

You have to be 21 to get any kind of FFL, even a C&R one.

What does that have to do with anything discussed in this thread?

^ I believe you need an FFL in order to get an SB anything.

mortablunt said:

^ I believe you need an FFL in order to get an SB anything.

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You believe incorrectly.


Anyone legal to own a firearm can make an SBR/SBS if its kosher in their state once the paperwork gets finished.

As Sam said, you're entirely incorrect. I couldn't get my FFL until I was 21, but had NFA items at 19..