I've not been able to comprehend the downside to using the free SBR registration, especially if someone already had a can or other NFA item that required a Goobermint permission slip. What is the downside that I'm missing?
States that do not allow SBR registration even if you wanted to, like CA.
There big one for me is you can't cross states lines with an SBR without asking permission from the ATF. You can with a suppressor, you cannot with and SBR/SBS, destructive device or full auto. You need to file a form 5320.20 and even if it is somewhere you routinely go you need to remember to file that form annually for each location.
It is my opinion that registration could be precursor to confiscation.
But its a heck of a lot of fun. And with a folding brace, it's pretty short.
Yes it could. Although if they only took the few I registered, they'd be "taking" only a fraction of my firearms. And since some argument might be made that the AR lower is the SBR, leaving me the uppers would accomplish nothing in particular. The darker side is the argument that they use the database to identify gun owners and then take all the weapons you have, SBR or not. Paranoia aside, that's pretty unlikely in our current world. And before you throw Canada or Australia in my face, it remains true that the US and it's gun owners are NOT Australia or Canada. And I have a suppressor registered previously so I'm on "the list", whatever that is, anyway. Registering my braced pistols was a risk I thought worthwhile...to be able to remove braces on some and put on real stocks. And then others, like the 10/22 Charger pistol, I just wanted anything stock-like on. Yeah, I know, a 10/22 braced Charger is just a Ruger 10/22 with a short stock
I agree, the state line thing is a pain, mcb, although I didn't think my suppressor could cross either. But, again, there are other firearms at home that can cross state lines. I just can't take all the toys across at once.
As far as the pictures, they didn't get any evidence at all. From me, they got pictures of the markings, not the whole firearms, and while the forms were submitted, the firearms were in legal form with braces removed. Just in case somebody came out to check. That's as far as my paranoia goes for now. Like everyone else, I'd just like to stay on the legal side of things.
Well since your braced pistol is now considered an unregistered SBR you can't have it in either state so???
It literally states in the rule that you're good until approved. If you keep it as configured after you get denial that's not very smart.
Before the rule change my suppressed braced AR pistol could cross state lines just fine. After the rule change my suppressed brace-less pistol crosses state lines just fine. Took me all of 10 minutes to reconfigure to a legal brace-less AR pistol.
A registered SBR is only an SBR when it's in SBR configuration, so if you were to put a registered SBR lower in a legal rifle or pistol configuration you could still cross state lines with a brace-less AR pistol if you wanted.
The points about state specific restrictions (ownership and travel) are well taken.
If you don't actually go anywhere I could see that being a non issue.
In that case.
Since you're going to have to do that anyway now that a braced pistol is an unregistered SBR as of a couple days ago.
That article is dated November 16, 2020 and specifically says "modern sporting rifles". So first of all 3½ years have elapsed since publication, and secondly, AR pistols would not be counted as "moern sporting rifles".
I replaced my upper with one with a 16" barrel. Being that I am a woman over 70 and under 5' tall, the shorter barrel was much more appropriate for me, but I'm just gonna grit my teeth and use it the best I can. I hope it won't be long until the new rule is thrown out.
Given that preliminary injunctions are only granted when the court believes the plaintiff is likely to prevail, I think there is a very good chance that the cases currently in process will overturn the rule. I don't know if they can overturn it nationwide, but if not and it goes to SCOTUS I think we have a very good chance that it will be overturned there.
