Featureless AR Rifles

California Assault Rifle Registration

If you have your assault weapon here in California and didn't register it, you are now in violation of a felony per 30900(b) PC. Note that this is a California law and doesn't apply to other states.

We're past July 1, 2018 and the California assault weapon registration program is over.

This article only talks about modern bullet-button assault rifles like the AR-15, AR-10, AK-47, etc. — not those sold prior to January 1, 2001. This does not cover assault pistols or shotguns.

What Rifles Are We Talking About?

These "bullet button" rifles are defined under 30515(a) PC as a semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that does not have a fixed magazine but has any one of the following features:

1) A pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon. 2) A thumbhole stock. 3) A folding or telescoping stock. 4) A grenade launcher or flare launcher. 5) A flash suppressor. 6) A forward pistol grip.

Also included: a semiautomatic, centerfire rifle that has a fixed magazine with the capacity to accept more than 10 rounds, or a semiautomatic, centerfire rifle with an overall length of less than 30 inches.

(Source: https://oag.ca.gov/firearms/bullet-button-assault-weapon)

"But I Already Registered That Rifle"

That's true, but it was registered as a "rifle", not as an "assault weapon." On January 1, 2017, your AR was redefined as an "assault weapon" and you could no longer buy one here in California. By law, you had until June 30, 2018 to register your AR as an "assault weapon."

Missed the Registration Deadline? Your Options

1) Surrender your assault weapon to local or state law enforcement for destruction. Be aware this is an assault weapon — you cannot loan it out, give it to a family member, or sell it in California. Disassemble the gun before turning it in.

2) Modify the weapon so it operates with a "fixed magazine" that can accept no more than 10 rounds. Several devices do this — check any gun show. Note that the California DOJ has not sanctioned any of these devices as legal.

3) Modify the weapon so it has none of the features listed above (pistol grip, thumbhole stock, flash suppressor, etc.) — making it "featureless." One solution Dave has used is the Thordsen Custom stock and muzzle brake, though the California DOJ has not sanctioned this stock as legal.

4) If you're a resident of another state and your assault weapon is legal there, you can take it there. Disassemble the gun before transporting it out of California.

5) Sell off all parts that don't have a serial number, then turn in the stripped receiver to law enforcement for destruction.

6) Sell the gun out-of-state — but be certain it is shipped by a California FFL to an FFL holder in that state and that it's legal there. The California FFL should have an assault weapon permit to ship it legally.

Don't Think Hiding It Is an Option

Some people say they'll hide it in their safe or the back of their closet. Consider this: what if there's a domestic violence incident in your house and police have to remove all guns? Others say they'll hide the gun in their car trunk when going to the range. What if you're in a traffic collision and while you're being transported to the hospital, police do an inventory of your car before towing it?

Possession of an assault weapon is a felony. Why take the chance? The one thing that's certain is that doing nothing is not an option.

Looking Ahead

This article is a simplified interpretation of the new laws and there are several issues not covered here for the sake of clarity. It's a complicated topic — and Dave may not agree with it — but it's the law. There's a lot more information available through the NRA and California DOJ websites.

Dave is hoping that California will offer an amnesty program in the near future so that people can register them legally.