AK-47 in Calif.

[.45-70TC]

OK, so our new p.o.s. 'assault' weapon law says you have to register them as an 'assault weapon' unless you make them 'featureless'. Is there any legal means of making a AK-47 'featureless'? Thx.

 

[The Bushmaster]

"featureless"?? What the hell does that mean? Make it NOT look like a gun?

 

[danez71]

Is it a true AK? If it is.... I'm not sure if AK's are banned by name or not?

You need to remove all of the scary features that CA has identified and essentially get it to the Saiga AK74's that were sold in CA (traditional stock, no flash hider or bayonet lug etc etc etc.

Start here. It starts as an old thread then gets more current.

https://calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=455831

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

although not officially approved by DOJ, you can go with a grip wrap fin that prevents your thumb from reaching the other side of the pistol grip... therefore making it not a pistol grip.

AK's are generally easier to convert than AR's.

If you are not on Calguns you probably should check it out. Some pretty innovative dudes on there.

 

[1stmarine]

Are they really AK47? I think you mean based on the same design but in semiautomatic version so it cannot be AK47 right?
Once you have a stamped receiver formed and "sporterized" (like a saiga for example) you can call it anything you want but it is not an AK47.

 

[deadin]

It doesn't matter what "they" call it, you know what "they" mean.....

 

[LiveLife]

"featureless"?? What the hell does that mean? Make it NOT look like a gun?

No. Making a firearm "featureless" means to not have the "features" that make a firearm "assault weapon" under California law. If the magazine fed firearm does not have qualifying "features" listed under 12276.1 (a), it is not an assault weapon but a California legal firearm.

Currently, use of "bullet button" makes firearms with qualifying features as firearms with fixed magazine but starting 1/1/2017, they will become assault weapons and owners have until 12/31/2017 to make firearms featureless or register them as assault weapons.

For ARs, removing pistol grip and flash suppressor will make the firearm "featureless" and there are stocks on the market that do not meet the definition of "pistol grip".

Here are CA DOJ definitions:

Flash suppressor - Any device designed, intended, or that functions to perceptibly reduce or redirect muzzle flash from the shooter’s field of vision.

Pistol Grip, conspicuously protruding - A grip that allows for a pistol style grasp in which the web of the trigger hand (between the thumb and index finger) can be placed below the top of the exposed portion of the trigger while firing.

Following are from California Department of Justice/Office of Attorney General's website. If you have any questions, instead of relying on a stranger's opinion on an internet forum, contact the DOJ Bureau of Firearms directly at (916) 227-7527 and get the correct answer or reference their webpage - https://oag.ca.gov/firearms

Is there any legal means of making a AK-47 'featureless'?

Category 1-3 assault weapon definitions and listing - https://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/agweb/pdfs/firearms/forms/awguide.pdf?

From FAQ page - https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/regagunfaqs#14

"14. If the characteristics that make my firearm a category 3 assault weapon are removed, can I cancel the registration? Can I sell it as regular (non-assault weapon) firearm?

Yes. If the defining characteristics establishing a firearm as a category 3 assault weapon are removed, it is no longer an assault weapon and the registration may be canceled. However, once the registration is canceled, you can never replace the characteristic(s) that make it an assault weapon, or you will be in possession of an illegal weapon. To cancel an assault weapon registration, contact DOJ at (916) 227-2153. Once the registration has been canceled, the firearm can be sold or transferred like any other firearm (non-assault weapon)."

Category 3 assault weapon definition - https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/regs/genchar2

"12276.1 (a) Notwithstanding Section 12276, "assault weapon" shall also mean any of the following:

1. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:
   1. A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon.
   2. A thumbhole stock.
   3. A folding or telescoping stock.
   4. A grenade launcher or flare launcher.
   5. A flash suppressor.
   6. A forward pistol grip.
2. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.
3. A semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has an overall length of less than 30 inches."

 

[1stmarine]

It is interesting to see how the literature and people refers to the "So called Assault Weapons" as if we were talking about actual assault weapons.
It is so confusing because even when we talk among firearms enthusiasts and someone brings up the term "Assault Weapon" it is hard to know now if they
are referring to a real assault weapon or the "so called assault weapons" term some Illuminati invented.
I guess this confusion was created on purpose and even used in written law to confuse everyone.

I urge everyone writing or talking about them in this or any other forum or context to use the term "So Called Assault Weapons" or "Sporting Rifle", even better,
so we can speak with clarity, authority, resolve and the right attitude.
The average guy might not know as they are bombarded with misinformation but I think there is no reason firearm owners and enthusiasts should use
the term assault weapon lightly. Otherwise we might be unknowing supporting the false narrative and misleading terminology to help the guys who want to
destroy the sporting rifle.
This is beyond proper use of terminology like "clip" vs "magazine" but to stop the false narrative and non-sense that is even affecting other firearms owners
and they way they express themselves.

My objective with this is always a sincere yet pragmatic approach and call the things accordingly for what they are regardless of what some interest groups and
radicals use. In fact we should always try to correct others to stop this false narrative.

We know these laws are a joke and not only do nothing for public safety, they might actually make it worse.

So before you use the term assault weapons again, think, most likely the right term is sporting rifle or something else.

I know you guys are awesome and most of you use the quotes but figure we put this out there as a reminder.

 

[LiveLife]

I agree but it's almost too late for California and "assault weapon" is whatever the lawmakers define it as. At least those of us in California are still able to keep and shoot our "legal firearms" in featureless form. "Sporting rifle" should have better appeal than "assault weapon" but I think more people simply refer to them as "ARs" now days as "AKs" are less and less common in California.

Yes, it is not too late for the rest of country and I hope our battle at state and federal level with eventual SCOTUS nominations will hopefully one day reverse the damage done by the antis over the decades and the archaic misused term "assault weapon" disappear from our everyday vocabulary.

 

[rromeo]

although not officially approved by DOJ, you can go with a grip wrap fin that prevents your thumb from reaching the other side of the pistol grip... therefore making it not a pistol grip.

AK's are generally easier to convert than AR's.

If you are not on Calguns you probably should check it out. Some pretty innovative dudes on there.

There aren't any legal devices approved by the DOJ. There are only devices that have held up in court.

 

[LiveLife]

you can go with a grip wrap fin that prevents your thumb from reaching the other side of the pistol grip... therefore making it not a pistol grip.

IMHO, preventing the thumb from reaching around the pistol grip with the use of a "fin" may not meet the CA DOJ definition of pistol grip which states the "web" of trigger hand must be placed above the top of exposed portion of the trigger.

"Pistol Grip, conspicuously protruding - A grip that allows for a pistol style grasp in which the web of the trigger hand (between the thumb and index finger) can be placed below the top of the exposed portion of the trigger while firing."

I believe using a grip device or stock that places the web of trigger hand above the top of exposed portion of trigger better complies with CA law.

 

[jhb]

wow category 3 assault weapon? i couldnt have even guessed that right. had to read their legal definitions. is there a category 4?

does all this apply to pistol ars and aks or are those illegal in cali already?

 

[LiveLife]

A semiautomatic pistol that has the capacity to accept a detachable magazine and any one of the following:

• A threaded barrel, capable of accepting a flash suppressor, forward handgrip, or silencer.
• A second handgrip.
• A shroud that is attached to, or partially or completely encircles, the barrel that allows the bearer to fire the weapon without burning his or her hand, except a slide that encloses the barrel.
• The capacity to accept a detachable magazine at some location outside of the pistol grip.

A semiautomatic pistol with a fixed magazine that has the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds.

 

[jhb]

^is illegal to own or? thanks for the education. appreciated.

 

[LiveLife]

If you do not live in California, these laws do not apply to you.

If you live in California and have pistols or rifles that meet the definition of an assault weapon, you have until 12/31/17 to register them as assault weapons or make them featureless.

 

[jhb]

yes Sir,

i realize this is a cali conversation not a federal or my own state one. so pistols fall under the same registration or removal of banned features then. i also realize i am over simplifying it. thank you again for the education on your state laws.

 

[Corpral_Agarn]

There aren't any legal devices approved by the DOJ. There are only devices that have held up in court.

That's a good point, to be sure.