My Dear Californian friends. In light of recent developments and new laws of how an "assault weapon" is defined in Cali, we are modifying our rifle kits to be compliant with Californian State.
Just for you, you have an option to go "Featureless!"
The new “Assault Weapon” classification in
Cali
Since the Assault Weapons Control Act
of 1989, California has defined an “assault weapon” as any semiautomatic
center fire rifle with a removable magazine PLUS any
of the following “evil features:”
1. Pistol grip
2. Forward pistol grip
3. Adjustable stock
4. Flash suppressor/ flash
hider
When does this go into effect?
You may not purchase an AR with any of the
evil features or a stripped lower that will contain evil features after January
1, 2017. You must register any gun with evil features with the Cal DOJ
and pay the fee before January 1, 2018. If you do not register the gun or
remove the features, you are guilty of a felony.
Removable Magazine:
Since 2007, California AR and AK owners have
been able to use a bullet button to avoid the classification of an “assault
weapon.” Since the bullet button required a tool to drop the mag, it did
not qualify as a “removable magazine.” Instead it was considered to be a
“fixed magazine.” Since the rifle had a “fixed magazine,” it was not an
assault weapon. SB 880/ AB 1135 redefine a “fixed magazine” to be
something that “cannot be removed without disassembly of the firearm action.”
Since bullet buttons don’t require the disassembly of the firearm action, even
a rifle with a bullet button installed is now an “assault weapon.” Rifles
with a bullet button are now considered to have a “removable magazine,” not a
“fixed magazine.” Basically, the government just closed a
loophole of a “bullet button.” However, you can install a New Bullet
Button Device, see below, that would prevent your rifle to be classified as
an “assault weapon.”
Can I avoid registering my gun as an “assault
weapon”?
Yes! You can do either of two things to your
gun to avoid the classification of “assault weapon.” You do
not need to do both, just one. NRA
had issued an update to CA Rules and Regulations as how the rifle are defined
as "Assualt Weapon" in California.
First, You can install a device that requires you
to disassemble the action in order to remove the mag/ reload. Not very
fun to shoot, but it will work. Darin Prince up at North County Firearms
in San Marcos has invented just such a device. The Bullet
Button Reloaded breaks the gun open at the pivot pin to
drop the mag. By breaking open the action, it counts as "disassembly
of the firearm action" as the weapon cannot fire with this
configuration.
This is another link that a client sent to us that will make your
rifle as NOT an "assault weapon" - and it still looks
"sweet."
OR
Second, You can remove all evil features from your gun. You’ll have to use a “shark fin” grip instead of a pistol grip. This is a grip that prevents your thumb from wrapping around the grip. If you have a flash hider, you will need to replace it with a compensator. Or you can use a target crown barrel that does not require any suppressors. Your adjustable carbine stock must be replaced with a non-adjustable rifle stock or permanently pinned in place. You cannot have a forward grip. If you remove all of the evil features from your gun, then you can have a standard mag release. No more bullet buttons if you go this route.
OR
Third, You
may convert your kit to 22LR, as such, your AR-15 won't be classified as an
"assault rifle." Conversion kits are available at Moriarti Arms.
Featureless means no evil features. See
the paragraph above. If you have a featureless rifle then you do
not need to register it as an “assault weapon.” However, after January 1,
2018 a featureless rifle can never again be turned back into a rife that
contains any of the evil features. Once featureless, the rifle is forever
featureless. The benefit of going Featureless route is that you get to use
your standard magazine release once more.
What About AR Pistols?
As of now, you can make an AR
pistol compliant with the new law only by using a crack action
bullet button as described above to avoid registration. However, with that,
you can use ALL AR style features available.
Your AR rifle or AR pistol built on an 80% is
an “assault weapon” if it contains any of the evil features described
above. You can continue making AR rifles and pistols under the current
laws until Jan 1, 2017. AFTER that date, you can only make featureless AR rifles or
AR Rifles and Pistols with new magazine locks. (Under new law there is no way
to make an AR Pistol Featureless as they fall under different
regulations). If you wish to keep those evil features on your gun, then
you are required to serialize it and register it with the Cal DOJ
before January 1, 2018. If you make it featureless, then you are
fine. Since your AR Pistol is an 80%, you can also rebuild it into a
featureless AR Rifle. Please keep in mind you need at least a 16" barrel
to avoid becoming an SBR.
Can I still purchase stripped lowers after
January 1, 2017?
Yes. You can still purchase stripped lowers after January 1, 2017, however, they must NEVER have an evil feature attached to them. All lowers and rifles purchased after January 1, 2017 MUST be built as featureless rifles.
More information about the topic will be
posted as it becomes available. To find your new "Featureless"
adjustments, please follow the link at
our new section for California
Legal rifles. Please bear in mind that this is NOT a
legal advice and it is your responsibility solely to check with your local
government for any updates and/or modification on the local laws.