What class 3 weapons can be purchased as title one?
September 3rd, 2010 by eranio
I was at a gun show recently and saw a private seller making a killing off parts for class 3 weapons. He had parts for a M203 launcher, 40mm barrels with military marking, some different hammer and bolt carrier groups for the AR15, as well as various barrels under the 16 inch marker. I was wondering if what he was doing was legal or not? As I was thinking about doing a similar thing. Providing it is legal. 
Posted in military weapons
September 3rd, 2010 at 4:23 am
It is legal for him to sell them, but keep in mind that the BATFE often considers ANY M16 parts in an AR-15 a machine gun. Pathfinder is incorrect about what he says about the BATFE only being able to regulate the receiver. They can regulate anything from the trigger to a full auto sear. Selling short barrels is also completely legal. It is up to the seller to only install it on a lower receiver that is legally registered as a Short Barreled Rifle.
So in short, the seller is not doing anything illegal, but the buyers may be if they are ignorant of the laws. To legally own any M16 (full auto) parts, the person must have a registered full auto receiver. You will get differing opinions on this from different people, but the consensus from the BATFE is that it is illegal.
I am also not trying to rip on any other poster, but I researched the user "Pathfinder’s" answers and you should be aware that most if not all of them pertaining to the legality of weapons is grossly erroneous. I implore you to not follow any advice he gives you as doing so could land you in jail for years with some stiff fines. He also does not have a good knowledge on the working of guns and ammunition. He encourages use of 5.56 ammo in .223 chambers and barrels. While you can sometimes get away with this, it is extremely dangerous and could result in an explosion of your firearm with injury or death.
September 3rd, 2010 at 4:23 am
Parts are just that, PARTS. The only part the BATF can regulate is the RECEIVER, which is considered the whole firearm, even if no other parts are attached to it.
September 3rd, 2010 at 4:23 am
The seller was most likely within the law.
As far as short barrels go, if you own a AR Pistol, a registered Short Barreled Rifle (SBR), or a registered M16 you can buy replacement uppers in any barrel length you want as spare parts.
His sale to anyone would be legal, as they are just parts, but the buyer could be arrested for Constructive Possession. If you owned a AR-15, and bought a short barreled upper, but did not own a Pistol/SBR/or M16 you could be charged with intent to manufacture an illegal SBR. Same goes for the trigger and bolt carrier parts.
As for the 203 a common and legal way to buy a 203 is to purchase a 203 receiver which has never had a barrel mounted to it as a Title I firearm. (It is not a DD, a DD is defined as a rifle having a bore over .50 inch) After you take possession fill out an ATF Form I, to make a DD for your personal use. After your form I is approved you can go out and buy a 40mm barrel and put it on. You can not buy the barrel before your Form I is approved, or else you could again be charged with Constructive Possession.