Question about the last AWB and Grandfathered lowers

[Big Boy]

The last AWB you could still buy AR's, the ban's were mostly based on the cosmetic accessories. Adjustable stocks, pistol grips, ect.

If you had a pre-ban lower were you still allowed to have flash hiders, adjustable stocks, and pistol grips on the same gun? Did the pre-ban lower make it exempt from those rules?

 

[SwissArmyDad]

I believe so, yes. The gun itself would have been registered as pre-ban, and would have been allowed in any configuration permissible.

The part of the gun that was registered was the serialized lower receiver.

Others can fact check me, as I didn't own guns during that time - just have a general knowledge of that AWB.

 

[gbw]

I don't recall for sure, but it was probably ok. But back then home-built ARs were nowhere near as big as they are now.

Anyhow, don't count on the same AWB as last time if one actually passes.

Everyone knows the last 'ban' had so many loopholes that it didn't ban anything - prices rose somewhat, that's about it.

Those who say that bans have been tried are either ill informed or dishonest.

The so-called hi-cap magazine ban was passed with a one year delay in implementation, and for that year every gun show was clogged with new hi-cap mags. There was never any ban on guns or magazines. Guns were altered and renamed, and mags were never even in short supply except for a few specific models. Prices rose modestly. But Clinton et al. got to claim credit an AWB which is all they cared about, to this day.

I don't know what will happen but I'll be surprised if any new ban is equally ineffective.

 

[MtnCreek]

The serial number on the lower was the determining factor on configuration. The rifle had to be assembled as a preban prior to the ban taking affect. So, you couldn’t go purchase a bunch of lowers the day before it took affect, then build them as preban later. Per the law of course; people tended to do whatever they wanted and I never heard of anyone getting into trouble.