What certain modifications to an AR-15 pistol can lead to you becoming a felon? An AR-15 pistol is an AR-style rifle with a barrel under 16 inches. Making the wrong modifications can lead to jail time if you are unaware of the laws. I will go over the different features of ARs and what separates them from a military vs civilian model. This article will discuss pistol brace, stocks, and front grip accessories.
We first want to clarify that AR does not stand for assault rifles. Anti-gun groups use the term to make the rifle sound scary and more dangerous than it is. AR comes from the original AR platform rifle, the Armalite Rifle. ARs sold on the civilian market are all semi-auto, meaning that one round is fired with each trigger pull and release. This is standard in all semi-auto firearms and even in a large portion of shotguns. When the trigger is pulled and released, the firearm will fire until the amount of ammunition loaded into the magazine is empty if this is repeated. In automatic rifles, the firearm will fire with a single pull and hold of the trigger until the trigger is released. The firearm will then stop firing. These are sold on the civilian market with special paperwork and additional fees. Please contact us if you have any questions you would like to clarify.
What makes an AR-15 a pistol and not a rifle is determined by the length of the barrel. If the barrel is less than 16 inches, it’s a pistol 16 inches or longer, and it’s a rifle. You can legally attach a pistol stabilizing brace to a pistol or a rifle. Pistol braces come in many forms. There are some that your arm goes through to allow it to clamp around your arm, and they can be secured with Velcro. Some are plastic and commonly referred to as blades. These are meant to allow you to push the blade into your arm while holding the pistol grip. There are also modifications that have Velcro. No matter the model, they are meant to be used so even people with disabilities can accurately fire a firearm.
Can you attach a stock to an AR pistol? This answer is not so simple when it comes to what is legal. A stock is intended for use on a rifle. According to the NFA Act of 1934, attaching a stock to a firearm with a barrel less than 16 inches classifies that firearm as an SBR (short-barreled rifle). This requires you to register said firearm with the ATF and pay a $200 tax stamp to possess this firearm legally. If you follow the proper legal channels, then yes, you can attach stock to a pistol without any legal issues. Not following the proper channels can lead to jail time and fines.
When it comes to front grip accessories you can attach any grip to the front if it is horizontal. Vertical grips are not allowed on AR pistols. This will again classify your pistol as an SBR and require additional paperwork and a tax stamp fee of $200.
Let’s recap: AR-15 pistols have a barrel of less than 16 inches. You can legally, without filing paperwork, attach a stabilizing brace to your AR pistol. You can also add a horizontal front grip to your AR pistol. What makes your AR pistol an SBR is putting a stock that is intended to shoulder on your AR pistol or attaching a vertical grip to the front. You can pay a $200 fee to register your AR pistol as an SBR, and then you can add almost any accessories you would like. I should note that once you register your firearm as an SBR, this is permanent and cannot be undone. This means you want to sell your firearm, and you must, or the buyer must, pay a $200 fee to have it transferred to the new owner. This requires a class 3 dealer, which means you must pay a $200 fee to transfer to the dealer and then pay it again to transfer it to the new buyer. If you pass away, special documents are required to pass this firearm on to someone else. Make sure you know the rules prior to making your firearm an SBR, as this is for the life of the firearm.
Can you attach a stock to an AR pistol? This answer is not so simple when it comes to what is legal. A stock is intended for use on a rifle. According to the NFA Act of 1934, attaching a stock to a firearm with a barrel less than 16 inches classifies that firearm as an SBR (short-barreled rifle). This requires you to register said firearm with the ATF and pay a $200 tax stamp to possess this firearm legally. If you follow the proper legal channels, then yes, you can attach stock to a pistol without any legal issues. Not following the proper channels can lead to jail time and fines.
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