Help clearing up CT AWB question

[smogmage]

Now let me start by saying yes I understand this is the internet and legal advice here is worth what I paid for it. With that being said:

I called a suppressor dealer here in CT (not a big store, just some LLC ) starting asking some questions about getting a particular suppressor for my rifle, LWRC M6 A3 is set up with the AAC 51T muzzle brake perm attached as per CT. I've been looking for either the M4-2000 or new mini4 and the guy there asked what I'd be putting it on. I stated what it was, an AR-15 type rifle and he replies "well you need to stop right there, once you add the can or even take possession of it, it becomes a flash suppressor and you've just violated CT law"

he continues on saying "now you could just get a pre ban lower and put your upper on that and be good to go"


Now I'm no lawyer but from my reading of the subsection of the CT AWB which reads as follows, no where does it mention adding a sound suppressor.

(A) A semiautomatic rifle that has an ability to accept a detachable magazine and has at least two of the following:
(i) A folding or telescoping stock;
(ii) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon;
(iii) A bayonet mount;
(iv) A flash suppressor or threaded barrel designed to accommodate a flash suppressor; and
(v) A grenade launcher;

Yes I understand that suppressors do have flash suppression qualities but nowhere can I find they are recognized in CT as flash suppressors. Also from what I've read about Pre ban rifles, you cant just take the registered lower and slap on whatever you want to it. It has to be fully manufactured, meaning the whole gun prior to the date the ban went into effect.

Please someone tell me the guy is confused, or maybe I'm just not seeing it....

 

[N003k]

From my understanding, and how it was explained to me in Newington Gun Exchange, the best thing to do for AR's is to get a threaded muzzle break, such as this: http://yankeehillmachine.com/store/product382.html and have it pinned on.

I've never heard ANYTHING referring to a can being a flash suppressor under CT law, and I have a feeling not too many shops would sell them very long if they qualified. Now, the threaded barrel bit is why they suggest getting one of those above breaks. I'd suggest going to a larger dealer that sells suppressors and such and asking them, odds are if they keep suppressors stocked, they'll know CT laws on them well enough to tell you if it's legal on certain guns.

As far as the preban, I've been under the impression that since the reciever is the firearm, that as long as that is preban, you can put anything you want on it. I could be wrong there, especially as most gun laws make zero sense, but, I would be surprised if it said anywhere you can't modify the preban weapons (As swapping uppers on an AR is just doing that, modifying the firearm).

 

[smogmage]

That's what I've got now, an AAC muzzle brake that serves as a quick attachment for suppressor. I received it in this configuration through an FFL, and I've seen many AR's set up with similar quick attachment point muzzle brakes on the walls for sale. I did read somewhere the ATF recognizes Sound Suppressors as flash suppressors.... but I wanna Puke every time I access the ATF website; nevermind actually try to get any answers from it which is nearly impossible.

 

[LKB3rd]

It has to have been a full "assault weapon" before the ban (not just a lower) in order to qualify as pre-ban. If it is, then you can change "parts" (aka uppers) on it, according to my understanding.
Lots of dealers don't know the law. I had one tell me my pre ban was illegal(I believe "assault weapons" are felonies) because it was never registered. This was in front of other customers, to boot.

 

[smogmage]

Well its not just a question of dealers possibly being misinformed, its the answers to these kinds of questions are hard if not impossible to find out, without actually going to court to defend yourself.

On another note, does anyone know if CT recognizes the California Bullet Button as a non detachable magazine? That could potentially remove alot of the issues here....

 

[LKB3rd]

When this happened, he broke out the statute and I read in it where pre ban guns are grandfathered, showed it to him, and he still wasn't convinced. He's scared, and I get that. If he just said "I don't want to touch this because I am afraid for my FFL" it would have been fine. Announcing it was illegal is an entirely different story.
Sorry for the sidetrack.