purchasing a stripped lower?

[Big_E]

So I moved up to Idaho for many reasons, getting away from Californias restrictive laws was one of them.

So I get my ID drivers license and head into one of the local shops to buy a stripped AR lower. The shop was ready to sell it to me and the NICS check came back rejecting the sale, the salesman came back and said he can't sell it because I am not 21. He had no idea this law was in place.

So what gives? I have acquiantances who were not 21 and got stripped lowers or did the feds just change the law? This sucks because I have a lpk, grip, stock and BCM upper just sitting here next to some ammo begging to be shot.

 

[refrey]

AR pistol

Probably because a stripped lower can also be built as a pistol, which you are not old enough to purchase.

 

[Zanad]

this is interesting, perhaps the stripped lower was registered as a "pistol".

 

[wally]

Under Obama/Holder BATF has changed the interpretation of the law and assume a stripped lower will be used to build a pistol, hence you now need to be 21 to buy -- without a stroke of the pen from congress or any debate.

This is how having antis in power can hurt us even if they can't pass their stupid laws.

 

[Lovesbeer99]

So can't he just buy a non-stripped lower and strip it?

 

[Big_E]

Yeah I shoulda figured who was behind this.

So I can buy a complete rifle lower then, correct? Otherwise its only 10 months to go

Unfortunately it won't be as cheap as a stripped lower, but I will have extra parts lying around that I can use for future builds.

 

[benzy2]

I was under the impression that it was you either bought a complete rifle at age 18 or had to be 21 to buy anything short of that. The thought of a built lower though would seem as if it would work since the addition of a stock should make it a rifle but I don't know. Depending on your state laws you may be able to buy it FTF from a person in a private sale. Some places allow you to be 18 to buy pistols in private sales. I don't know Idaho laws.

 

[Ratdog68]

Get ahold of the crew at Surplus Ammo and Arms.com and ask them if they can sell you a completed lower. Their Aero Precision lower, or their house branded (also made by Aero) is a very nice offering, and the price will make you smile. The only obstacle is whether the completed lower can be sold to you at your age. They're next door, just south of Seattle, in WA State.

 

[Big_E]

Thanks for the suggestions, ill see what FFL transfers cost around here.

One of the store owners said eventually he will start breaking his ARs down and selling them as parts so maybe I can talk him into that since he has a lot laying around.

 

[mrnkc130]

maybe you can find one for sale FTF in your area, or possibly buy a complete lower half with the buttstock already on it, then you would think there is no question it is a rifle.

That whole AR pistol thing doesnt make any sense since you can't buy a AR lower manucafured as a rifle and make it a pistol legally, you are in fact buying a rifle not a pistol, but these laws don't have to make sense as demonstrated many times before....

 

[RP88]

dealers can no longer transfer stripped receivers because they can possibly be built into pistols. Most stripped lowers (if not all) are not designated as intended for certain builds as pistol or rifle stripped lowers.

I bought several stripped lowers when I was 18-20 until the law changed. The change was news to me, but did not happen until after my 21st.

However, you can buy an assembled lower no problem, so long as it isn't in pistol configuration. This means it has to have a rifle stock/tube on it, basically.

It's stupid, it sucks, but it's the law. The best you can do is look locally for private sales (legal), or sell off your lower parts to put towards a complete lower and pay a bit of the difference.

 

[mrnkc130]

Most stripped lowers (if not all) are not designated as intended for certain builds as pistol or rifle stripped lowers.

I'm fairly certian they are manufactured as either a rifle or a pistol and the serial number registered with the ATF as such. Otherwise what defines it as rifle or a pistol? You cant take your AR lower and make it a pistol or a rifle when ever you want.

 

[mrnkc130]

ok i'm wrong, they can be purchased as virgin receivers, but you cant make a pistol out of a receiver that has been a rifle before.

it think buying a complete lower would be the best bet for you, or buy one face to face.

 

[cyclopsshooter]

the law about being 21 to buy a stripped lower has been around a long time- it is just not well known to most ffl dealers.
also, a stripped lower can be sold to someone under 21 if it is accompanied by a rifle parts kit- that is the word from my local atf supervisor

 

[karlb]

In MN you need to be 21 and have a permit to purchase a pistol to buy an AR or an AK or any other "assault weapon". This includes stripped lowers. I didn't believe my dealer when he first told me this a few years ago.