Legality of 80% Lowers, 80% Frames, and Magazine Capacity by State

Here's an overview of the legality of 80% lowers, 80% pistol frames, and magazine capacity restrictions across different states in the United States:

1. 80% Lowers (AR-style Rifles)

An 80% lower is an unfinished firearm receiver for rifles like the AR-15. It is not considered a firearm under federal law until it is completed and assembled. However, several states have regulations or bans on 80% lowers.

• Federal Law: No regulation until the 80% lower is completed and turned into a functional firearm.
• State Restrictions: Several states, such as California, New Jersey, and New York, have banned or heavily regulated 80% lowers.

2. 80% Pistol Frames

80% pistol frames are partially completed frames for handguns that require additional work to become operational firearms. Similar to 80% lowers, these are legal at the federal level until completed. However, states like California and New Jersey have outright bans on 80% pistol frames.

• Federal Law: Legal until completed and assembled into a firearm.
• State Restrictions: States like California and New Jersey prohibit 80% pistol frames, while states such as Florida and Texas have fewer restrictions.

3. Magazine Capacity Restrictions

Magazine capacity laws dictate how many rounds a magazine can hold. Some states have strict limits, while others do not restrict magazine capacity at all.

• California: Max 10 rounds per magazine.
• New York: Max 10 rounds per magazine.
• New Jersey: Max 10 rounds per magazine.
• Texas: No limit on magazine capacity.
• Florida: No limit on magazine capacity.
• Arizona: No limit on magazine capacity.
• Other States: Many states follow similar restrictions, typically setting limits around 10 rounds, while others have no limit at all.

Quick Reference Chart

Key Points to Remember

• Federal Law: At the federal level, 80% lowers and 80% pistol frames are legal to own and sell until they are completed into a functioning firearm. However, once completed, they must be serialized if they are intended for sale or transfer.

• State Law Variations: States like California, New Jersey, and New York impose restrictions or bans on 80% lowers and 80% pistol frames. Texas, Florida, and Arizona tend to have more permissive laws.

• Magazine Capacity: States like California, New Jersey, and New York limit magazine capacities to 10 rounds. In contrast, states like Texas and Florida impose no limits.

Final Advice:

• Always check both federal and state-specific laws regarding 80% lowers, 80% pistol frames, and magazine capacity before purchasing or assembling firearms. Ignorance of state regulations could lead to legal complications.

• Additionally, firearm laws can change frequently, so it's important to stay up-to-date with any legislative changes in your state.