"Pre-ban"..... So what?

[guyfromohio]

I'm an Armslist junkie. I buy, I sell (for hobby....I've never flipped for profit), I trade all the time on there. Often, I'll see guns with "pre-ban" in the advertisement. I'm no youngster and am quite aware of the Clinton ban in the 90's, but other than a cool way to say "it's older than 20 years", what does this really mean? "It has all the stuff that was banned but then not banned, but is older than stuff that's not banned now"? Example.... "Pre-ban Beretta 92".... Says to me "Beretta 92 before the frame slide was fixed". Or "Colt AR 15 Pre-ban".... What does it have that a Colt AR sitting in Gander Mountain today doesn't (other than a reasonable price and a "don't make 'em like they used to" piece of mind? What say you THR?

 

[12131]

I'm with you. Pre-ban doesn't mean anything to me.
But, I'm guessing, for folks living in certain parts of the countries, local/state laws make it illegal to own anything post-ban, that has certain evil features, or whatever you want to call it.

 

[o Unforgiven o]

"It has all the stuff that was banned but then not banned, but is older than stuff that's not banned now"?

Exactly. It is an expired term, and now simply means old. Unless you live in a state that kept the AWB like NY. There I believe Pre-Ban firearms still sell for a premium to those that want the banned features.

 

[Ryanxia]

Many states kept the assault weapons ban and other bans after it expired on the national level so when they say pre-ban it is worth more to people in some states because it is grandfathered in because of it's manufacture date. People will pay big bucks for some pre-ban stuff. In some areas it is the difference between being allowed to own it and not.

 

[Eb1]

Best ar 15 upper I ever owned was a post ban colt. I should have never sold it.

 

[Walkalong]

During the ban, and then after it lapsed, but there was still worry about the ban being re-instated, pre ban meant something.

Not sure it matters much these days. I can only assume if the antis push through legislation, it would not exclude anything this time, but then again, it might, to get votes.

Who knows, I am not a mind reader.

Edit: To add, it seems some states still have the ban in place.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

Here in Alabama, "pre-ban" means absolutely nothing but I still see it on ads in local trade forums. These are posted by non-FFLs who only want to deal F-T-F so they are only selling to fellow Alabamians. I think it is mostly the un-informed who have HEARD that it makes a difference. Very much like the folks who post an "all numbers matching" Norinco SKS with tactical stock, scope and 30 round detachable magazines

 

[buck460XVR]

Around here, "pre-ban" would be most any gun.

 

[Quiet]

"pre-ban" use to mean it was made before the old Federal Assault Weapon Ban of 1994.

"pre-ban" status allowed it to be legally transferred/owned/possess in some states that had assault weapon bans that mirrored the old Federal ban.

However...
Last year (2013) due to new assault weapons laws that were passed into law, "pre-ban" no longer means anything because now (2014) states that have assault weapons bans no longer exempt "pre-ban" firearms.

 

[Willie Sutton]

In the area of IMPORTED "assault rifles" it has specific meaning to this day. It indicates that the entire rifle, meaning receiver as well as it's complete configuration, was assembled at the foreign factory and that no US manufactured parts are installed. These rifles are prized by collectors for their originality. Post-Ban rifles either include a minimum number of US parts, or are manufactured on US receivers. This has led to considerable variability in quality, and as they are not "original manufacture" in every respect they lose a portion of their desirability to collectors. AK's and their variants (Galil, Valmet, etc) are the most commonly considered rifles in this category. You cannot purchase a completely original factory manufactured AK imported today. All have either been manufactured here, or have been re-manufactured here prior to sale. Ditto FAL's of every type, HK-91, 93, 94, etc., etc., etc.


Since manufacturing and re-manufacturing has been done by firms ranging in quality from DSA and Arsenal to the Drunken Monkeys at Century, those rifles manufactured and boxed at their original factories have a higher value ascribed to them by collectors who are willing to pay a premium for the originality and factory quality control.


Compare by Gunbroker search the values of the following:

IMI Galil v/s Century Golani

FN/FAL as imported by Browning or Steyr v/s any other US assembled FAL's.

HK-93 v/s Century C-93

Egyptian MAADI AK or NORINCO AK v/s any AK's put together from parts kits in the USA.


etc., etc. etc....



Willie

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[mdub]

It's possible that this could refer to compliance to 18 USC 922r, modifications to post ban rifles must comply.

 

[Willie Sutton]

^^^ This.

1: It has meaning in the context of FEDERAL LAW as applied to IMPORTED RIFLES.

2: In the context of STATE LAW the phrase is now meaningless.

3: In the context of DOMESTICALLY PRODUCED rifles the phrase is meaningless.

4: There is a very small subset of OPEN BOLT semiautomatic rifles and pistols to which the phrase applies as well. If this arcane area of specialized collectors interest is yours, you're probably not reading this forum for advice.


Willie

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[19-3Ben]

2: In the context of STATE LAW the phrase is now meaningless.

Maybe in your state. Here in CT pre ban rifles are highly prized.

 

[guyfromohio]

I Ohio, it means nothing except in reference to the foreign manufacture guidelines. Thank you for that information. In the context of this post, I was reacting to a beretta 92. Good stuff. Thank you.

 

[TheVision]

Last year (2013) due to new assault weapons laws that were passed into law, "pre-ban" no longer means anything because now (2014) states that have assault weapons bans no longer exempt "pre-ban" firearms.

Semiautomatic firearms (that meet certain criteria) that were manufactured before September 13, 1994 are fully transferable and are not required to be registered. Connecticut PA 13-220 revised the Gun Violence Prevention and Children's Safety Act. Section 53-202 now reads:

...shall not be construed to limit the transfer or require the registration of an assault weapon as defined in subdivision (3) or (4) of subsection (a) of section 53-202a of the general statutes, revision of 1958, revised to January 1, 2013, provided such firearm was legally manufactured prior to September 13, 1994.

 

[medalguy]

So, preban mostly means the drunk monkeys at CAI haven't beat on it with hammers yet?

 

[Willie Sutton]

^^

Pretty much, at least in the general lexicon.

Local state-specific uses of the term are just that: state specific local uses of the term, but not a use of the term that is generaly understood universally among the broader nationwide group of buyers and collectors.


Willie

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