Walt Sherrill
Member
In a related discussion on this forum, the problems faced when completing an 80% Glock frame are addressed. Some expressed concerns about creating a non-serialized weapon, while a few relished the idea. Similar discussions can be found on other forums where the difficulties of completing 80% ARs are addressed.
By reading BATF documents and related regulations, it's clear that the 80% frame CAN be completed legally, and owned by the builder, and that a serial number is NOT required on the completed weapon. The BATF does, however, recommend that the builder serialize the weapon.
I've looked for answers on this topic over the past year or two, and have found a lot of opinions that were are seldom backed by regulatory citations. Thus far, I have found NO definitive answers about whether this NEW weapon can later be sold, transferred, or passed on to heirs upon the builder's death. If the weapon is NOT destroyed and is later transferred, the next owner may be faced with a different type of problem, not being the builder, if he or she want's to dispose of or transfer the weapon.
I hold an 03 [C&R] FFL license (as do many on this forum) and have spent some time reading through the regs over the years. Until I retired some years ago, I spent a good bit of time on the job trying to understand the government regulations and tax codes that affect and control the financial services industry. What have I found? I've found that laymen and non-specialists sometimes interpret the language of government codes and regulations far differently than do bank examiners, IRS agents, BATF agents, or judges. What the regs seem to clearly say isn't always as clear as it seems.
I don't know of any legal cases, rulings, or BATF interpretations that address these issues -- but I also know that finding this information isn't easy.
What do you KNOW for sure about the legal issues associated with these types of weapons?
By reading BATF documents and related regulations, it's clear that the 80% frame CAN be completed legally, and owned by the builder, and that a serial number is NOT required on the completed weapon. The BATF does, however, recommend that the builder serialize the weapon.
I've looked for answers on this topic over the past year or two, and have found a lot of opinions that were are seldom backed by regulatory citations. Thus far, I have found NO definitive answers about whether this NEW weapon can later be sold, transferred, or passed on to heirs upon the builder's death. If the weapon is NOT destroyed and is later transferred, the next owner may be faced with a different type of problem, not being the builder, if he or she want's to dispose of or transfer the weapon.
I hold an 03 [C&R] FFL license (as do many on this forum) and have spent some time reading through the regs over the years. Until I retired some years ago, I spent a good bit of time on the job trying to understand the government regulations and tax codes that affect and control the financial services industry. What have I found? I've found that laymen and non-specialists sometimes interpret the language of government codes and regulations far differently than do bank examiners, IRS agents, BATF agents, or judges. What the regs seem to clearly say isn't always as clear as it seems.
I don't know of any legal cases, rulings, or BATF interpretations that address these issues -- but I also know that finding this information isn't easy.
What do you KNOW for sure about the legal issues associated with these types of weapons?