80% gun ?

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bullseye308

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I was wondering if anyone has been pulled over or had any interaction with the police while you had a firearm you built from an 80% receiver and how it went. Seeing how it isn't required to have a serial number on them and many law enforcement officers may not be aware that they are out there, it could pose a problem. Any thoughts on this?
 
My thought is that if I had a home-built, I would have a very sincere serial number on it. There wouldn't be a sales or permit record of it anywhere, but a conventional looking number and maybe even a brand name could defuse a lot of tension if you came to official notice.
 
Mine has my name engraved on it. 20170105_143308.jpg
My friend the sheriff said he didn't know for sure what he would do if he searched my vehicle and found it. He thought he would take it back to the office and check it out.
It is legal, being legally owned and transported by me. I am not worried.
 
I was wondering if anyone has been pulled over or had any interaction with the police while you had a firearm you built from an 80% receiver and how it went. Seeing how it isn't required to have a serial number on them and many law enforcement officers may not be aware that they are out there, it could pose a problem. Any thoughts on this?
Do the police do that in Tennessee? I mean, do the police in Tennessee check the guns you have along for serial numbers when they pull you over?
Last deer season here in Idaho, I was pulled over by an ISP Officer for driving 70 in a 65 zone. He commented, "Been out huntin' have you?" because he saw we had a couple of rifles leaning on the seat between us in the pickup truck. But the Officer never asked to check the rifle's serial numbers. He didn't even write me a ticket. He just told me, "Hold it down a bit.":)
 
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Do the police do that in Tennessee? I mean, do the police in Tennessee check the guns you have along for serial numbers when they pull you over?
I had a VT state game warden confiscate a rifle and told me he would give it back when he determined it was not stolen. True Story. If you wan'the the details just ask, it was total BS and it left a pretty foul taste in my mouth about VGW. I have no criminal record or anything shady about my past that would raise an eyebrow other than a DUI from when I was a teen..... I did get the rifle back however, after about 6 months of it bouncing around in the back of his truck. That's what I believe, it had scratches all over it and it was a cat and mouse game for months trying to get him to meet me to return it. I wholeheartedly believe he just enjoyed toying with me about it. Smh
 
Legally it shouldn't matter if they are bare. Common sense would say a few numbers on it would not hurt. No one needs a curious cop. Mine are bare but I have thought about a few numbers.
 
Starting in 2018 or 2019 they all have to have numbers in Cali. If they don't already have them, you'll have to apply to the State for a number from CA DOJ.

I don't want to go through that, so all mine get a serial number chosen by me when they get engraved. If they look normal and have NFA legal engraving, there is nothing the State can do. So I go that way. US ATF does not have a mandatory registration program. So why play the State's game ...

That way if I'm stopped the gun has all the NFA required info. If they take it to go check it out, I'll want a receipt so I can get it back...

How much time and money do you have in yours? You wanna loose that investment ...
 
Armored farmer, is that gun in your pic considered an SBR and can it be shoulder fired, is it void of any regulation whatsoever because it's a home built, regardless I have to figure out how to board this train. Do you need expensive machinery or can you send the lower off to a machinest to do the work?
 
Armored farmer, is that gun in your pic considered an SBR and can it be shoulder fired, is it void of any regulation whatsoever because it's a home built, regardless I have to figure out how to board this train. Do you need expensive machinery or can you send the lower off to a machinest to do the work?


Nope. My AR is a pistol.
You can buy jigs that make finishing pretty simple.
 
Sure you can. Of course if you get caught you will go to prison for a long time.

There is no legal way for someone without the proper licensing to make a full auto firearm. Even those who are properly licensed to do so can not make one that will be legal for personal ownership.

Bottom line. If a machine gun was not registered by 1986 it is not, and can not ever be, legal for personal ownership.
 
Some friends and I shoot in the county at a place we have been using since 88. We have had the police visit us a few times over the years and 3 of those times the officer ran every number we had. I have been stopped 3 times since 90 and trice they asked if I had any guns in the car. I did and they ran all the numbers. Obviously all mine are clean and I have had no problems, but it is just a small hassle. BTW, I have had warnings every time and an overall pleasant visit with our officers every time.

What got me thinking about is I might try a Glock 80% lower and if it proves reliable I may carry it. Thinking about my experience with the police running the numbers when we meet I wasn't sure how that might play out. Lots of cops aren't "gun guys" and may not be aware of "home built" firearms and trying to convince them it's is legal may be interesting.

Maybe I'll just leave the jig and instructions in the car to keep it simple. I do like the serials above and may do something like that.
 
I do my own machine work, except for the engraving (because they do a better job :) ). The lowers I buy from Tennessee Arms come either engraved all the way as I want them on both sides before they ship (80%), or engraved as they must because they are licensed MFG with whatever else I ask them to do (finished stripped lower).

So in the case of the last one I ordered, I wanted NFA legal information on it. It'll be at my FFL by next Wednesday. On the left will be Tennessee Arms Logo and the serial number they must assign (as the MFG) and caliber 22 (my request). On the right will be a Valknut which I get on all my builds. It will be for a dedicated 22WMR build to play with the CA DOJ (they do not like poly lowers :D ).

Tennessee Arms make extremely high quality poly lowers with marine brass inserts molded right in at high stress points. I suggest an 80% poly lower as the first build because it is much easier for the hobbyist to machine. A router and a drill press will do the job nicely. You'll need to run a shop vac to collect chips while working. But you should be able to finish a nicely done poly lower in a few hours.

I have an 80% aluminum lower at the local engravers right now. It is getting NFA legal engraving which is:
- Make,
- Model,
- Caliber,
- Serial No (one I choose),
- MFG Name (mine),
- and place of MFG (my town name, state abbreviation).

I give it to the engravers before I finish it. That way he's handling a paper weight and does not need to be an FFL/Smith. I go pick it up and then do the final machining. I am the MFG.

If it ever gets run, it will come back clean because it will not be in a crime database. Make, Model, Ser No, and MFG will all be unique. And My name/town is right on it, so there is no doubt who it belongs to.

If a LEO wants to keep it for a day or two to check it all out, OK by me. I'll just ask for a receipt. I'll collect it when they call to pick it up. That way, they get to learn the regs and rules too. Won't cost me but a bit of gas and some time. And I'm sure we'll have a fun talk when I pick it up :)

You don't have to do this, but it's good protection. And it meets ATF guidelines, my State regs (for now), and is useful for insurance purposes.

I would never build one stark nekkid w/o anything. At least use an engraving pencil, better yet stamp numbers, and put a unique serial number on it, and take a picture for your records. You want some proof of how you came by it ...

Legally, 80% arms can not be made for sale. So you do not want to be under suspicion of having bought an illegal weapon :( Around my neck of the woods, it is known on the grapevine that there are some Hells Angels up around Covelo who will CNC finish a lower for you for cash. I would not touch that offer with your pole ...

If someone needs a jig, PM me - I might have a spare ... :)
 
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I don't engrave any of my home builds, many of which aren't just finished 80% guns, but true home builds from scratch.

I believe if you calmly (and respectfully) explain to an LEO in an encounter that it is not required to serialize a home build, you'll be fine. There are lots of pre-'68 guns without numbers, and you might do well to very carefully detail the fact that serialization is required by the '68 GCA only for licensed manufacturers & importers under federal law.

As well, confiscating the weapon once you've explained that should make it very clear to the officer that he runs the risk of executing illegal seizure if he cannot articulate probable cause to reasonably believe that you unlawfully possess the weapon. Ignorance of the law is not exculpatory, and that works both ways. LEOs and LEAs can be sued for illegally detaining people or seizing property, and may even face criminal charges for it.
 
Out here, that would just get you into confrontation mode ... And, starting 2018, they will have to be numbered under State law. So if they don't already have your numbers, they will get DOJ assigned numbers that you will have to have engraved anyway ...
 
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