C&R questions

[nearmiss]

If I buy a rifle on my C&R and due to being dissapointed in the condition, decide to give it the Bubba treatment, am I asking for legal trouble?

My state requires no documentation for FTF private sales. In the case of a C&R eligable gun, does this still apply or am I required to get enough information to log the gun into my book?

 

[hirundo82]

I'm not 100% on your first question, but I don't think there are any legal problems with it (although I wouldn't make a habit of it). It would be up to the ATF's judgement whether what you are doing falls within the scope of your license, so I might get a letter from them to be safe.

On your second question--any C&R-eligible gun that you acquire or dispose of during the term of your license must be logged in your book. This goes for guns that weren't acquired using your C&R (those must be logged in when you acquire them), and even those that you had before you got your license (those don't have to be recorded in your book unless you dispose of them while you have your C&R).

 

[TexasRifleman]

If I buy a rifle on my C&R and due to being dissapointed in the condition, decide to give it the Bubba treatment, am I asking for legal trouble?

Depends on how it obtained its C&R status. Most of the time if it's simply 50 years old or older you can do whatever you want to it, since the configuration doesn't determine the C&R status.

Some things, like those on the specific C&R list, may have some features of their configuration that caused it to be C&R in the first place. I can't honestly think of any right now but I can see it happening.

 

[PRM]

Agree with post on first question, what do you mean by "Bubba Treatment."

Since you bought it under your C&R you have to put it in your log as an acquisition.

When you dispose of it/sell it whatever, it is logged out of your collection.

C&R is for collectors. You can add to and reduce your collection. You just can't buy and sell as a business.

 

[hermannr]

even if it was on the C&R list and not 50 years old, it would only become a normal firearm and IF you sold it...that is, after you modify it, it is no longer a C&R eligable weapon.

You do not need the C&R to own something, the C&R is only something you use when you purchase or sell a qualified firearm interstate. Nothing more, nothing less.

That this modified firearm would no longer qualify as C&R, so what? Do you really care?

 

[nearmiss]

I do not intend to make a habbit of either altering or selling my C&R guns, but I have a mauser with a very rough stock that I am considering sporterizing and wasn't sure if it was allowed or not. Maybe photographing before altering would be a good idea? This gun is logged into my C&R book and will most likely end up going to my kids.

 

[deadin]

A question would be "When should it be logged out of your book?"
Should it be when you actually dispose of it or when you alter it enough to remove it from C&R status? (i.e. chop the barrel, drop it in a commercial stock, etc.)
I would imagine that if there are too many C&R's in your book that you have "altered" and then sold, you might be considered as acting as a gunsmith without benefit of the proper license.
Good question for the Technology Branch......

 

[Neo-Luddite]

In general, if you 'Bubba' enough you MIGHT be de-C/R ing the weapon and POSSIBLY rendering it illegal to exist in this country if imported as a C/R. The situation arrises mostly with some imports ONLY allowed in owing to the 'original condition' of them as C/R military arms that would otherwise be prohibited (under 1989 reg) AW's. The example best known are the Yugo SKS's with bayos, night sights, grenade launchers; if you start popping those things off, go further, and put the deal into a plastic nifty modern stock---you're out of line at SOME POINT. You really have to know case-by-case what you are doing and how the weapon acquired the C/R status. I would follow my gut and not get too 'cute' about what I was doing or try to work the corners out of some regulatory 'angle' by finding a path. Is anyone going to 'care' is what we all want to know many times. I am NOT going to offer any examples of 'cutesy' C/R behaviors I've heard of as they are NOT good ideas. 'Nuff said, if something 'feels' like it might be over the line it very well might be to someone.

But then also be cautioned that in some places C/R status meshes with gears of State/Local laws. You have to keep your own council at days end; we ALL do.

Best advice; leave things mostly as is UNLESS by 'Bubba'ing you are trying to substantially re-create or repair them to original condition or that the mod can be justified for safety (ie. known parts issues that cause a modification to design but have been well estabvlished for a particular weapon. Again with the Yugo SKS example, the ATF allows for a spring return to be added for safety to the firing pin although the original desgn doesn't include this)..

iF YOU ARE really worried just call the BATFE and ask them. Will you 'get in trouble' is a question I really wouldn't guess at in fairness about much of ANYTHING involving C/R and MANY issues involving the finer points of firearm laws and regs in general.