From Gonhuntin's post on Bellms website:
Not long after buying my first Contender, I also became interested in Title 2 firearms (commonly known as "class 3 weapons" or NFA weapons). As I researched the laws pertaining to title 2 firearms, specifically the National Firearms Act of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968, I also learned of the TC Supreme Court case. I read everything I could find about the case. About this same time, I was a
member of the old "TC List", an e-mail discussion group centered on the TC Contender. While participating on this list, the topic of converting Contenders between rifle and pistol configuration often came up, one member even publicly reported shooting his 14" 309 JDJ Contender with a butt stock attached! These discussions also were commonplace on the various handgun forums. As I participated in these discussions, I was often attacked for mentioning the laws that
prohibit the conversion of rifles into pistols. I was told that the TC court case had somehow exempted the Contender from the law, I was also told that all TCs were legally handguns despite how they left the factory, and I was told that it didn't matter how they left the factory as long as the dealer listed the firearm as a pistol when the paperwork was done. I knew that all these "explanations" were simply not true. I had actually taken the time to read and research the TC court case, and I had actually read the National Firearms Act and the Gun Control Act of 1968.
Years went by and the discussions continued. I was called a liar, stupid and many other things that weren't quite as complimentary.
Finally, in 2003, I wrote a letter to the BATF Technology
Branch in Washington DC. The Technology Branch is the division of the BATF who's job is to determine the legality of firearms. They are the folks you contact when you want an answer to a legal or technical question concerning firearms and they answer the question with reference to the specific laws that apply. If you don't like their answer, the next step is to file a court action.
The response I received from the Technology Branch confirmed what I had said all along (the original letter I wrote and the BATF response are posted on this forum and available for you to read).
1. A firearm that left TC in rifle configuration (equipped with a
butt stock) *IS* legally a rifle and is subject to all rules and
regulations pertaining to rifles.
2.It is NOT legal to convert a rifle into pistol configuration
without first registering it with the BATF as a Title 2 weapon,
(short barreled rifle).
3. The legal status of a TC, whether rifle or pistol, is based on the configuration of the firearm when it leaves the factory.
4. The legal status of a frame that left the factory with no other parts (bare frame without stock or grips) is determined by the way it is FIRST assembled. If it is first assembled as a rifle, it will always legally be a rifle, if first assembled as a pistol, it will always legally be a pistol.
5. A dealer cannot change the legal status of a firearm by listing a rifle as a handgun on the form 4473. Listing an Encore rifle as a pistol on the 4473 does not alter the fact that it is and will always legally be a rifle.
6. A person who buys a Contender or Encore that was illegally
converted from a rifle to a pistol can be prosecuted for possession of an unregistered Title 2 weapon.....*EVEN IF THAT PERSON DID NOT KNOW THE WEAPON WAS ILLEGALLY CONVERTED*!!! (a call to TC with the serial number of the frame will determine whether it is legally a rifle or pistol)
In the event you get caught and are prosecuted, the penalty
for possession of an unregistered Title 2 weapon is up to 10 years in prison and up to $250,000 in fines. Even if you aren't convicted, it would cost a small fortune to defend yourself in court, and don’t expect TC to pay your legal expenses and fines or serve your time if you lose.
Even if the chance of getting caught is remote, is it worth the risk when you can buy a $250 pistol frame and not worry about it?
