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Posted: 7/15/2008 4:50:49 PM EDT
| I f i were to perm my own flash hider how would i get the barrel sent to me since if i have in my possesion of technically a sbr that will be changed to the correct length via a vortex or phantom? |
| Well, I'm no BATF agent, so my advice isn't worth too much. If you are just purchasing a barrel, you should be okay. I figure the BATF is more concerned with complete upper receiver assemblies, as they are "readily convertible". A barrel in and of itself would take time to install, when compared to a complete upper. You could always keep the barrel at a friend's home until the work is complete. |
As M4 said I'm no BATF agent so it may not be worth much, however that would really only be an SBR if installed on a lower. Just order it and install the phantom right away before installing or mounting the upper. |
U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Martinsburg, WV 25401 www.atf.gov 903050:AG 3311/2006-597 MAY 01 2006 Mr. Dear Mr. : This refers to your correspondence dated March 8, 2006, to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), in which you posed questions regarding short-barreled rifles (SBRs) and sound suppressors (silencers). Your letter was referred to ATF’s Firearms Technology Branch (FTB), Martinsburg, West Virginia, for reply. As you are aware, both of these items are "firearms" defined and controlled by the National Firearms Act (NFA). You are also aware that the possession or transfer of these items requires appropriate NFA paperwork and tax payment(s). With respect to your question regarding whether a sound suppressor permanently attached to a firearm barrel is considered part of the barrel for determination of length, ATF considers muzzle attachments, including sound suppressors that are permanently attached to the barrel (by blind pinning, welding, or high temperature silver soldering), to be an integral part of the barrel, and measures such items accordingly. As you know, a firearm barrel with a permanently attached sound suppressor is considered a "silencer" under the NFA and must be possessed and transferred in accordance with all NFA provisions. In your next question, concerning lawful actions after the acquisition of an AR-15 pattern rifle, you ask if additional AR-15 rifle(s) and/or components such as upper or lower receiver assemblies could be obtained after such a short-barreled rifle is lawfully obtained. Further, you inquire about exchanging the short-barreled upper receiver assembly of a registered, short-barreled AR-15 type rifle with an upper receiver assembly having a barrel of greater than 16 inches. In general, the owner of a registered short-barreled AR-15 type rifle may exchange the "short" upper for a "long" upper, and then reinstall the "short" upper at a later time. This activity does not change the classification of the item because a registered SBR with a "long" barrel installed is still registered as a SBR, and any possession, transfer, and transportation of such a firearm must be conducted in accordance with all applicable NFA regulations. -2- Mr. Regarding the possession of a registered SBR AR-15 in addition to other AR-15 pattern firearms or components, such possession is generally lawful with several caveats: • During any reconfiguration of such firearm(s), a "short" barrel or upper receiver assembly must never be installed on an "unregistered" AR-15 rifle receiver. • The registered SBR AR-15 must not be placed in any other NFA configuration, such as Any Other Weapon (AOW). • Unregistered receivers must never be placed in ANY NFA configuration. • Most importantly, any "excess" upper or lower receiver assemblies should correspond to complete firearms of lawful configuration. For example, possession of a spare "short" barreled upper receiver assembly (for the lawfully registered SBR), along with an unregistered AR-15 lower receiver assembly having an attached shoulder stock, may constitute possession of an unregistered SBR. In such a case, the unregistered lower receiver assembly should be assembled into a complete rifle with a "long" upper receiver assembly. Finally, we encourage you to contact State and local law enforcement organizations about possible additional regulations regarding the possession, transfer, and transportation of the items described in this correspondence. We thank you for your inquiry and trust that the foregoing has been responsive. Sincerely yours, [Signed Richard Vasquez "for"] Sterling Nixon Chief, Firearms Technology Branch |
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