skip
Single-Sixer
I know that some configurations of AR's are not able to be shipped to Cal...I could never figure out why...
What is a Cal. legal AR 15...?
- Thread starter skip
- Start date
KurtC
Single-Sixer
I think California requires that the mag can only be removed with a tool (or bullet tip) on assault style rifles. No quick mag changes, and I believe a 10rd restriction as well.
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
Hi,
Sorry, it's not particularly exciting reading, but you can start here on the Attorney General's website:
http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/dwcl/12275.php
You'll notice there are two "classes" of illegal "assault weapons" on that page. The first class consists of firearms directly named. I'm not sure, but I believe this list is pretty much how the original Roberti-Roos bill was written. The second class describes what you can/can't have on an "assault weapon" and remain legal or become illegal. I understand this list came about to cover all the "generics." For example, if a Colt AR was listed as illegal, but you have an identically built/equipped AR from another maker NOT on the named list, it would technically be legal barring some other proscription.
From there, if you do a search for "California legal AR" you'll find plenty of discussions about what you can and can't do...
Needless to say, it's a little confusing, 'specially if you want to build your rifle from ground up. But there's plenty of info out there for you if you don't mind wading thru all of it!
Rick C
Sorry, it's not particularly exciting reading, but you can start here on the Attorney General's website:
http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/dwcl/12275.php
You'll notice there are two "classes" of illegal "assault weapons" on that page. The first class consists of firearms directly named. I'm not sure, but I believe this list is pretty much how the original Roberti-Roos bill was written. The second class describes what you can/can't have on an "assault weapon" and remain legal or become illegal. I understand this list came about to cover all the "generics." For example, if a Colt AR was listed as illegal, but you have an identically built/equipped AR from another maker NOT on the named list, it would technically be legal barring some other proscription.
From there, if you do a search for "California legal AR" you'll find plenty of discussions about what you can and can't do...
Needless to say, it's a little confusing, 'specially if you want to build your rifle from ground up. But there's plenty of info out there for you if you don't mind wading thru all of it!
Rick C
dfletcher
Blackhawk
skip said:
That a person can figure it out implies logic will help. It won't. :(
The short version is that CA bans some "assault weapons" by name. HK G3, DPMS Panther, FN FAL and others are banned by name. Identical copies are allowed in so long as they comply with the "ban by feature" requirements.
CA bans assault weapons "by feature" in similar fashion as the old federal AWB. The most common feature to trigger a ban by feature is a removable magazine and a pistol grip or a flash hider. Our work around of this ban is to use a 10 round magazine that complies with the CA specific definition of "non-detachable" or to modify the pistol grip or to use a brake instead of a flash hider.
An entire industry and much creative effort have gone into working around the CA gun laws. I don't recall alot of interest in the AR before the ban. I had an aversion to them going back to my USAF days. But when the ban hit and I could buy one using the law exactly I did. I have about 5 of them, I think CA gun owners buy a whole boatload of the darn things each year.
Don Lovel
Hunter
I thught all "California legal" AR rifles were suppose to be painted rainbow colors with soft rubber stocks and lavender colored barrels and can only pop a little flag out the end of the barrel that says in block letters of the comic font and with Spanish translation
"B A N G"
"B A N G"
Boxhead
Buckeye
skip said:
I believe you will need a five round magazine to hunt.
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
Don Lovel said:
Hi,
Oh, Don, you're jutht being thuch a thilly boy... :D
Last few times I've been to the range, it looked like the AWB was back: "Anything Wasn't Black" wasn't seen! And I do mean ANYTHING! What we once considered pretty much "standard" sporting arms were scarce as hen's teeth... Wood? Whassat? Stainless? Whassat? Revolver? Whassat? Semi-auto pistol w/o a bunch of crapola hung off the "accessory rail"? Whassat? Ammunition in calibers other than .223, 7.62x39, 9mm, .40S&W? Whassat?
Imagine what it would be like if we could get all the stuff folks who "live in America" can? ;)
Rick C
Rick Courtright
Hawkeye
skip said:
Hi,
Skip, be sure to check that link to the AG's website I put in an earlier post. As far as I know, a 10 round mag's legal for hunting in CA (check http://www.dfg.ca.gov for hunting regs), but I think you may have to remove the pistol grip so you don't have to modify your readily removable mag (that's addressed on the AG's site.) Remember NOT to bring ANY mag that holds more than 10 rounds into the State. "Importing" such a mag is its own crime. For a while, I know there were "CA-legal" ARs being equipped w/ a "lump" that screwed on in place of the standard pistol grip so they could use removable (w/o the bullet button mod) mags legally. It was shaped somewhat like a conventional rifle or shotgun stock's "pistol grip." As far as I know, any "mods" you'd have to make to bring your rifle here are totally reversible.
While our Attorney General herself is rabidly anti-gun, if you drop them a note at their "Contact Us" link, the guys working for her know their stuff and have been helpful in the past, even leaving me phone messages w/ answers to my questions!
Good luck!
Rick C
dfletcher
Blackhawk
skip said:
I'm not up on hunting so can't speak to 5 or 10 round limits.
There are certain RRA AR rifles that are banned by name.
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-141885.html
The laws in CA are so convoluted and the "down side" for LE taking your gun in error that you may want to reconsider bringing in a RRA that looks similar or is named like one that is banned by name.
If you do bring it in you'll need to use what's called a "Bullet Button" to ensure the 10 round mag can't be dropped by hand, or use a 'Monster Man" grip in place of the conventional pistol grip.
I mentioned a flash hider as not allowed on certain centerfire semi auto rifles with detach mags, another item to avoid is a vertical forward grip.
Check out the flow chart on this CA specific gun forum. Anything you want to know about CA gun laws and how to work around is here:
http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/index.php
AJAX47
Bearcat
Smith&Wesson's website has "compliant" models. You can click on the states to see which is which. I bought my Sport at the LGS. It has the flash hider (which I could do without), the "bullet button" (which I could also do without, but it's required), collapsible stock (which I replaced with an A2) and the 10 round mag (which I can live with; if I were in Nevada, for instance, I'd get some 20's but would probably find 30's and above a pain in the ass to load). Just my 2 cents' worth.
