S.B.R. questions

[styer]

Sorry if this has been hashed over a few million times but after reading several different sites I still am not sure of the answer to my question. I am considering a short barrel AR15.(Either building my own from a stripped lower or buying a complete lower from a dealer.) I know it will require a $200 tax and some background checks but where do I start? Can I register an AR that I already have as a SBR and if so, how? If not, is it best to have the dealer handle it all for me when I purchase a new lower? Most of all, IS IT WORTH THE HASSLE? I've never even had a speeding ticket. The last thing I want to do is wind up in the pen for screwed up paper work. Thanks for any info.

[Terry N.]

Sorry if this has been hashed over a few million times but after reading several different sites I still am not sure of the answer to my question. I am considering a short barrel AR15.(Either building my own from a stripped lower or buying a complete lower from a dealer.) I know it will require a $200 tax and some background checks but where do I start? Can I register an AR that I already have as a SBR and if so, how? If not, is it best to have the dealer handle it all for me when I purchase a new lower? Most of all, IS IT WORTH THE HASSLE? I've never even had a speeding ticket. The last thing I want to do is wind up in the pen for screwed up paper work. Thanks for any info.

You need to start by going to the ATF website and downloading a Form 1. You will also need the appropriate fingerprint cards. Once you get fingerprinted, you will send the completed Form 1 to your local CLEO (Chief Law Enforcement Officer), which varies from state to state and county to county, in some cases. Once he signs off on it, you send the package, along with your $200, to the ATF.

You should be able to find more detailed instructions on the ATF website. You can also get a lot of valuable info from the NFA Forum at www.subguns.com.

As far as being worth the hassle, only you can answer that. As long as you own the registered SBR, you must notify the ATF (in advance) whenever you move, and whenever you transport it across state lines for any purpose. I think it's worth the rather minor inconveniences it entails, as long as you pay attention to the details.

[Jim K.]

Excellent response.

As to whether you can register an SBR you already own, the answer is no. If you acquired it on a Form 4, it is already registered; if you made it on a Form 1, it is already registered. If you acquired it any other way, it is contraband and illegal to possess.

Sad but true - your lack of a record has little bearing on a CLEO signature. Some CLEO's will not sign, no matter what. Some reportedly want bribes. Some will sign with little concern except a clean record for the appllicant. It is a tossup.

Jim

[BrianQ]

Can I register an AR that I already have as a SBR and if so, how?


Yes you can. Use a Form 1 as previously stated because in effect you are making a "new" firearm. Just make sure you get the approved form 1 back before you acquire the shorter barrel.

As far as moving goes, if you move in-state there is no legal requirement to notify the ATF of the move. They like you to so they can update their records.

[Embalmer]

Im doing this proccess now with a semi auto thompson. Suprisingly I thought getting the police chief to sign off on it was to be the hard part, but was easy. Now just awaiting approval to come back from ATf so I can convert it and, get ride of that god aweful looking 16" barrel....