Legal question

[TheQuietCorner]

I just had a quick legal question. I'm looking into buying parts for various guns and putting together some of my own customs. Just starting. I wouldn't transfer them to anyone, and would not put together anything illegal (i.e. full auto). I was wondering if there are any licenses that I might need to do this or if the final products would need to be registered somehow or anything else that may affect this.

BTW, the reason, I love the precision machining that goes into creating a good gun and really want to try it, but using parts that are premanufactured and fitting them properly. Maybe get into something more advanced later.

[Mr.H]

Are you talking about buying the frame or reciever of an existing firearm type (ie 1911, Ar15) through your FFL dealer and then putting a custom slide, barrel, ect on it? If that's the case, then yeah, you should be in the clear. If on the other hand you are talking about machining your own frame or reciever, then I would venture to guess that you would have problems. The reason I say this is because only certain parts of a gun actually constitute a firearm. For instance, a handgun's frame and the Ar15's lower reciever. Notice you need an FFL to order either of those. But things like slides, upper recivers, and barrels, yeah, to my knowledge you could make one of those without any special permission.

If it's a rifle, just be sure to make the overall length of the gun at least 26" (or is it 26 1/2"?) and the barrel at least 16". Also, don't put any kind of buttstock on a pistol unless you plan on installing a 16" barrel as well. Either that or get it registered as a short barreled rifle (which you would have to do first). I am not positive, but If you do that you might have to register it as a rifle if you do the former. Also, if you take the butt stock off of a rifle and put a barrel on it that is shorter than 16" (basically make it into a pistol), or if the overall length of the gun is less than 26" (or 26 1/2"), then I am fairly certain you would need to register it as a pistol. But like I said, I am not sure. I am just a youngster, so you'd be best let a pro come along and answer you before you do anything.

[TX-LEO]

I just had a quick legal question. I'm looking into buying parts for various guns and putting together some of my own customs. Just starting. I wouldn't transfer them to anyone, and would not put together anything illegal (i.e. full auto). I was wondering if there are any licenses that I might need to do this or if the final products would need to be registered somehow or anything else that may affect this.

BTW, the reason, I love the precision machining that goes into creating a good gun and really want to try it, but using parts that are premanufactured and fitting them properly. Maybe get into something more advanced later.

If you are going to assemble parts, you are fine, unless you have a state law prohibiting it. Obviously stay away from NFA items unless you know what your doing. And mind your state laws in regard to certain semi auto rifles considered assault rifles in some state's still. Since nobody knows where you live, we cant tell you any specifics on state law.

If you plan on creating your own gun from a piece of metal, you need to have a manufacturer's license.

[TX-LEO]

Also, if you take the butt stock off of a rifle and put a barrel on it that is shorter than 16" (basically make it into a pistol), or if the overall length of the gun is less than 26" (or 26 1/2"), then I am fairly certain you would need to register it as a pistol. But like I said, I am not sure. I am just a youngster, so you'd be best let a pro come along and answer you before you do anything.

A gun born a rifle stays a rifle. Only exception is FIRST filing the forms for SBR or SBS, then you can chop the stock and barrel. You dont " register a gun as a pistol" its either that or its not, from mfg. Putting a stock and 16" bbl on a pistol is fine as long as you have both. Otherwise you have an AOW.

[mxwelch]

If you are building a semi auto such as a HK 91 or a FNFAL or any foriegn weapon etc... you need a percentage to be U.S. made parts. The ATF website has the specifics. As for a receiver, if you're machining the weapon yourself you don't need a FFL. Just don't do it if you're a felon, make an auto, sell it after you're done, etc..

[mxwelch]

If you plan on creating your own gun from a piece of metal, you need to have a manufacturer's license.

Gonna have to disagree with ya on this one TX. I researched it out and I'm almost done with a .50 BMG I made myself.
Link to the ATF site
http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#a7

A7) Does the GCA prohibit anyone from making a handgun, shotgun or rifle?

With certain exceptions a firearm may be made by a nonlicensee provided it is not for sale and the maker is not prohibited from possessing firearms.
However, a person is prohibited from making a semiautomatic assault weapon or assembling a nonsporting semiautomatic rifle or nonsporting shotgun from
imported parts. In addition, the making of an NFA firearm requires a tax payment and approval by ATF. An application to make a machinegun will not be
approved unless documentation is submitted showing that the firearm is being made for a federal or state agency. [18 U. S. C. 922( o), (r), (v), and 923, 27 CFR 178.39, 178.40, 178.41 and 179.105]

[TheQuietCorner]

I'm in Minnesota. Nope, don't plan on transferring it, and don't know enough to safely machine a proper receiver. I was looking into starting with making stupid modifications to rifles as practice (like taking the tube off a tube fed and making it accept a magazine). After that, I was looking at making more and more difficult modifications (if I can do it safely) until I'm ready to go buy a bunch of parts and make them fit together to produce a gun. I'm hoping to ultimately build myself some semi-custom rifles. I'm not comfortable with changing the working parts of handguns yet, so it will currently be rifles and shotguns only.

[TX-LEO]

Gonna have to disagree with ya on this one TX. I researched it out and I'm almost done with a .50 BMG I made myself.

Tin Fo! I been wrong once or twice ;)