Legal Compliance

At American Gunsmith, we deal with the nuts and bolt of technical details. Just the same, it is foolish not to keep abreast of the law. A simple mistake can be ruinous. For one recent example, the ATF issued a bulletin on wrist braces and stocks for AR-type pistols that arbitrarily made previously legally-purchased items illegal. This forced some folks to scramble and bring their firearms into compliance or to file paperwork to remain in compliance or potentially face legal consequences.

I am not an expert on this one; like many, I don’t study things that don’t concern me but no man is an island. It is a terrible thing for a government to rule something legal then change their mind a few years later, potentially turning law-abiding citizens purchasing items in good faith into criminals by mere possession of said items. This is the type of environment that makes it difficult for business people to invest and plan ahead. Certain politicians view business people and gun owners as adversaries.

It doesn’t matter where you live—a free state or a people’s republic as we often say with a grain of truth. As a young man in a wonderfully free southern state, I’ve watched the people A ten-round magazine is easily obtained for most firearms. suffer through disastrous changes overnight. A Democrat governor and former segregationist—they never change, he simply realized he needed a political future—managed to push a law through that mandated one handgun a month purchases.

He was one of Carter’s men and was later rewarded with an ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia where we did his best to rehabilitate their reputa- Below center: Ruger’s five-round 10/22 magazine is readily available. tion. As recent events show he simply taught them to cover up their atrocities. At the time few states had shall issue concealed carry. One of my friends is a retired New York Cop still living there and has noted those who needed permits could not get them.

In New York City and especially New Jersey, only celebrities or the Mafia had carry permits. In the south the well heeled and politically connected could obtain

Far a permit. While supposedly out of the Jim Crow era some kept the trappings with gun control laws and limited gun permits. Be vigilant! Many young people do not realize how difficult the era was as far as gun rights. Human rights and civil rights gradually improved. We have shall issue laws but this bit of history is a warning of things that may happen again if certain folks get their way. Addressing Issues Recently a correspondent contacted American Gunsmith with concerns about impending laws in his home state.

He articulated his concerns that adjustable stocks are being targeted and wanted to know the best approach to changing a Colt AR-15 adjustable stock to something like the original solid M16type stock. He asked if this just a screw off/screw on change. Also, he asked about best practices for converting box magazines to a capacity of less than ten rounds due to a bill proposed in his state that would ban anything holding ten or more rounds.

He owns AR-15, Mini-14, M14/M1A, M1 Carbine, Glock, and standard Ruger 10/22 rotary magazines, all of which could be impacted. With concerns voiced I took a hard look at solutions. While some of these concerns are theoretical, some are real. As one example, the original 1994 Assault Weapons Bill ("It’s a Crime, Bill") of the Clinton era banned production of new magazines with a capacity over ten rounds but did not outlaw possession of older firearms.

Before sunseting in 2004, some firearms owners are surprised to learn this ban existed! While there are other details, we are primarily concerned with magazine issues. With the M1 Carbine I hit a block. A proposed ban one correspondent mentioned limits capacity to 9 rounds, not 10, as the previous bill had, although most firearm prohibition bills normally limit capacity to ten rounds. There are any number of pistol magazines available for the Glock and other handguns with a ten round capacity.

You will have to spend money and either destroy, turn in, or ship such magazines to another state if older magazines are not grandfathered in. The same may be said for AR magazines. Let’s consider some options. Before I go further, it is critical to check your local laws and any proposed legislation likely to pass. Under some legislation, it may be legal to convert existing magazines, while it is not in others. I suspect the modification must be permanent, but it might not be.

I understand the mechanics but the law may be more complicated. While I hold a degree in Criminal Justice, it’s along way from pre-law study. Magazine manufacturers such as Magpul offer magazine capacity blockers (Product code: MCL_ Pmag10_30). Magpul’s magazine blockers are available for $4.95 each or in packages of three for $10.54. The blocker may work with other

similar magazines as well. These devices are simple enough. To use the ten round blocker the magazine is disassembled by removing the floor plate of a PMag magazine by depressing the plunger on the base pad and slide the base pad away. The floor plate and magazine spring are removed and the blocker is inserted into the magazine. It is possible to epoxy the base into a permanent fix, however, Mag Pul issues a warning: "This will NOT make a banned magazine legal!

This product is intended for TEMPORARY capacity reduction of PMAG AR/M4 GEN M3 magazines. This product does not constitute a permanent capacity reduction. The user is responsible for knowing applicable laws in any jurisdiction that restricts magazines based on capacity or regulates magazine capacity for hunting. Please check all state and local laws and regulations to determine the legality of your host ammunition magazines." So, perhaps the blocker modified magazine may only be legal for hunting?

Many states had capacity restrictions in place in the hunting field long before we began hunting with the AR-15. I am stating the resource and its availability but the legal quandary is a serious one. If magazines are limited to nine rounds I bet Magpul will make one. When it comes to the Ruger 10/22 the solution is much easier as Ruger already offers a five round magazine, SKU: 90041. When it comes to other magazines, take time and study the problem as well as the legislation concerning them.

I would not yet stock up on magazine limiters but the problem is worth a look and may be a suitable fix. If not, a certain moral ground exists. Sending the magazines to a free state is one answer. Selling them at what will likely be an elevated price is another. Permanent modification is another. With metal body magazines there are viable modifications. It is simple enough to modify an existing magazine with a punch and creating a divot in the magazine body.

This divot is punched into place below the carrier at the spot the carrier supports the desired number of cartridges. Load five to nine cartridges (or whatever the arbitrary limit is) and mark the space on the magazine needed to be modified. Take a punch, being careful not to actually punch through the magazine, and drive it into the magazine body creating a divot preventing the magazine from accepting a full load of cartridges.

I would like to have a letter from the attorney general before I did this work as it may be a waste of time otherwise. According to many sources telescoping and other adjustable position stocks are on some attempt to ban lists. This can be addressed by changing out the standard AR-15 butt stock, which is simple enough. A quick check at Brownells and other outlets located no less than sixteen types of fixed stock options for the AR-15, ranging from around sixty dollars to several hundred dollars in price.

Some are inexpensive and others are highly elevated target-grade stocks. Some notes on a stock swap. First, before attempting any type of modification, be certain the rifle is unloaded. To change the stock remove the upper receiver from the lower receiver. The buffer and buffer spring are easily removed from the rifle. Remove the flat head screw at the rear of the AR-15 buttstock. Screw the buffer tube out and away from the lower receiver. Don’t lose the buffer retainer spring!

The buttstock itself usually slides from the tube by releasing a small tab or button. Simple as that! Let’s hope that we do not have a business with modifying firearms to lower capacity as an important part of the day. Just the same, be prepared for the possibility. AG Far