ATF Letter Clarifies Rules on Firearm Receiver Transfers
With the current high demand for AR15-style rifles, the sales of both bare (stripped) and semi-assembled lower AR receivers has increased dramatically. This has led to questions, from both buyers and Federal Firearms License holders, as to how these lower receivers should be handled during sales. The ATF has issued a letter which deals with these issues. Important points to note are:
1) An FFL may not sell a frame or receiver to anyone under 21 years of age [Title 18, U.S.C., section 922 (b)(1)]. Comment: This is because the receiver could, potentially, be made into a pistol.
2) An FFL may not transfer a frame or receiver to an unlicensed person from another State. [Title 18, U.S.C. section 922(b)(3)]. Comment: Again, this tracks the rules regarding transfers of pistols, because some frames/receivers can be built into pistols.
3) Multiple handgun sales forms (ATF forms 3320.4) are NOT required for sales of multiple frames or receivers of any firearm, as they are not pistols or revolvers. Comment: This may seem inconsistent with points 1 and 2 above, but this follows from the provisions of CFT 478.11 which states that bare frames or receivers are not handguns until so assembled.
Further information on these points is contained in the July 7, 2009 letter from the ATF, which is linked below. All FFLs are encouraged to download this letter and read it carefully.
CLICK HERE for 7/9/2009 Letter from ATF Re Firearm Frames and Receivers
As usual, the ATF leaves us scratching our heads. So I wonder if this means that shipping a ar15 receiver through the mail is illegal?
Purchased a Stag striped lower in Pa. the paper work was for the atf and was also for Pa as a pistol
No problem mailing AR complete lowers or partial lowers as of today(3/1/2018). Just received one complete lower (UPS).
May be different tomorrow!!!!
Jim’s Small Works
I don’t come from a family that owns guns, but my boyfriend and his family are very into guns. My knowledge of guns is pretty limited, so I decided to some research. I appreciate the information in this article, I had no idea what a lower is; it’s so interesting that an FFL cannot sell a frame or receiver to someone under 18.