Registered as a lower but..........

[jody_v]

I purchased a 10.5" upper a while ago on the EE and for a while was interchanging it with the lower on my 16" Bushmaster. I decided that I liked the 10.5 and decided to purchase a dedicated lower for it so I purchased a RRA lower off the EE as well.

When I received the certificate for the lower, it said "Frame/Receiver Only". My question is, do I need to re-register the the lower to indicate that it is now a complete rifle? My thinking is 'NO' because in a heartbeat I can change out the lower to whatever upper I want, but it just seemed strange that the CFC would say that it was a frame/receiver only.

 

[evolture]

no you don't.

the whole point behind the "frame/receiver only" deal is because of the interchangability of uppers, AFAIK.

 

[enefgee]

I did with mine, but I don't know that it's required for you to do that. This is another place where the law doesn't work well with the technology.

 

[USP]

I would never buy a complete rifle again, only lowers and uppers seperately. You could have one registered lower and 50 uppers. I fail to see how its in your best interest for the goverment to track everything you buy. Especially considering that the upper isnt even considered a gun/registered part. We are backwards to how it is in the US with them controlling the uppers and barrels and not the lowers.

 

[Craftsman 441]

Actually, the whole point to the "receiver/frame only thing" is that the CFC's system keeps track of barrel lenghts and uses the barrel length, make and model type to assign FRT numbers. Because it is common to buy just the receiver (think of Marstar's garands) or to strip a gun, use the parts on another (like a CA M14's parts on a Nork) and keep the receiver (to retain your prohib status or to at least keep it out of the smelter), there had to be provision for those and other circumstances.

According to the law, you have 30 days after altering your firearm before it must be verified and registered as having the new barrel length. With an AR, you can alter your barrel length in literally seconds, same as with Rem 870s. If you were ever to be called on it (say at a traffic stop, a random inspection or if the CFO visits the range, there isn't any way to prove you didn't alter your firearm less than 30 days ago. That fact won't help you one bit if the authorities overreact. It's sort of like getting T-boned on a green light. Sure you had the right of way, but that doesn't unf**k your car and unbreak your legs.

I would get your AR verified (it's free - nobody's allowed to charge for it) for whichever length you prefer, and be sure to transport and store it that way.

 

[USP]

Actually, the whole point to the "receiver/frame only thing" is that the CFC's system keeps track of barrel lenghts and uses the barrel length, make and model type to assign FRT numbers. Because it is common to buy just the receiver (think of Marstar's garands) or to strip a gun, use the parts on another (like a CA M14's parts on a Nork) and keep the receiver (to retain your prohib status or to at least keep it out of the smelter), there had to be provision for those and other circumstances.

According to the law, you have 30 days after altering your firearm before it must be verified and registered as having the new barrel length. With an AR, you can alter your barrel length in literally seconds, same as with Rem 870s. If you were ever to be called on it (say at a traffic stop, a random inspection or if the CFO visits the range, there isn't any way to prove you didn't alter your firearm less than 30 days ago. That fact won't help you one bit if the authorities overreact. It's sort of like getting T-boned on a green light. Sure you had the right of way, but that doesn't unf**k your car and unbreak your legs.

I would get your AR verified (it's free - nobody's allowed to charge for it) for whichever length you prefer, and be sure to transport and store it that way.

so if you store the receiver always with no upper on it and only "modify" if when you take it to a range, then return it back to a lower only upon finishing at the range, is there still a legal obligation to notify? I thought the 30 day thing was only if you made a change and it was permanent? Or is this not right?

 

[Wildbore]

Actually, the whole point to the "receiver/frame only thing" is that the CFC's system keeps track of barrel lenghts and uses the barrel length, make and model type to assign FRT numbers. Because it is common to buy just the receiver (think of Marstar's garands) or to strip a gun, use the parts on another (like a CA M14's parts on a Nork) and keep the receiver (to retain your prohib status or to at least keep it out of the smelter), there had to be provision for those and other circumstances.

According to the law, you have 30 days after altering your firearm before it must be verified and registered as having the new barrel length. With an AR, you can alter your barrel length in literally seconds, same as with Rem 870s. If you were ever to be called on it (say at a traffic stop, a random inspection or if the CFO visits the range, there isn't any way to prove you didn't alter your firearm less than 30 days ago. That fact won't help you one bit if the authorities overreact. It's sort of like getting T-boned on a green light. Sure you had the right of way, but that doesn't unf**k your car and unbreak your legs.

I would get your AR verified (it's free - nobody's allowed to charge for it) for whichever length you prefer, and be sure to transport and store it that way.

You don't have to call the CFC for barrel length changes. Read the paper that comes with the registration certificates, it explains the circumstances under which you must inform the CFC and barrel length change isn't one of them.

 

[Max Power]

so if you store the receiver always with no upper on it and only "modify" if when you take it to a range, then return it back to a lower only upon finishing at the range, is there still a legal obligation to notify? I thought the 30 day thing was only if you made a change and it was permanent? Or is this not right?

No I believe you are correct. This is basically what I gathered from speaking to the BC CFO about the subject circa 2006. All they seemed to care about was the restricted part of the rifle.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Hell the upper you have could be on loan from a friend for trials (if you were stopped that is). The only upper I have currently is a loaner. Not going to register it as a complete rifle as only part is mine.

There is a slim to nil chance they would ever be searching your trunk anyhow. My trunk is always locked and requires a warrant to open.

 

[blaxsun]

According to the law, you have 30 days after altering your firearm before it must be verified and registered as having the new barrel length. With an AR, you can alter your barrel length in literally seconds, same as with Rem 870s. If you were ever to be called on it (say at a traffic stop, a random inspection or if the CFO visits the range, there isn't any way to prove you didn't alter your firearm less than 30 days ago. That fact won't help you one bit if the authorities overreact.

And under the "Standard Conditions" it states that it must be reported to the Registrar of Firearms within 30 days with "any change to a frame or receiver that allows it to discharge ammunition;". I would hazard a guess that adding an upper would qualify, would it not?

 

[Vex]

It would but wouldn't they get a little mad at you when several hours later you called back and said "ok it's just a reciever again" after every time you went shooting?

 

[Arloashean]

A supplementary question.

Looks like it's answered above (30 days) but just in case.

If a pistol frame is registered as a frame only, and you make it operable with all the necessary parts, must you wait to use it until the registration has been changed, or do you have the 30 days to update?

 

[platnumbob]

My question is what would happen if you have a gun like an XCR that is non-restricted with the 18.6 barrel but you also obtain a short barrel for it that would make it restricted if installed? (And note that barrel changes are 1 minute job on these things).

Not that I have a shorter barrel - but if you have "30 days" to report changes that would effect the registration status can't you just transport the gun to a restricted range with the non-res barrel on it (no ATT) and then do a swap at the range and shoot it "restricted" and then do a barrel swap for the drive home?

Are you breaking any rules by shooting non-restricted for the time at the range?

Just something to think about.

 

[slushee]

I would probably be tempted TO call and re register every time I removed or added an upper to an AR. If they give you static, advise them its their stupid laws causing this, and then report the issue to a friendly news agency!