Question about buying a lower out of State

[jerkin]

Ran into a retired trooper the other day at the ammo counter and we got to bullshitting. He said that buying a lower out of State is handled the same as buying a pistol and that you would have to have it shipped to and transferred in Pa. I wasn't sure about this but it didn't sound right. We talked about a bunch of different laws and he was correct on everything else we talked about so he definitely knew his shit. Anyone know the legality of buying a lower out of State?

Never did get the guys name or find out if he was a member here but he was local and seemed like a pretty good guy. Most troopers or ex-troopers I've run into were hard asses but not this guy, would have never guessed he was former leo if he hadn't mentioned it. Definitely liked his firearms, lol.

[iamtommyboy]

This is true. If it is just a lower, it is treated like a handgun as far as transfer/purchasing laws are considered. I was going to purchase one in FL over the summer while on vacation, but decided not to once I found out that it had to be shipped (at my expense) to my FFL. The price was decent, and the guy was real nice, but the shipping and transfer fee at my FFL didn't make it worth it.

[theunrulychef]

I've bought a few lowers online. They ship to a FFL shop & I go do a background check to pick it up. The BG check & transfer costs me something like $27. They don't do both federal & PICS though - they treat it as though I was buying a rifle.

[Mattintaylor]

Yes he was right, lowers are treated like handguns in that regard

[jerkin]

Thanks guys. I figured he was probably right since he was dead on about every other law we talked about, just wanted to double check. If I had to guess I would have thought they would treat it like a rifle and could do the paperwork right there, guess I would have been wrong, lol.

[bodymangt]

hmmmm , thanks for the thread I did not realize that a stripped rifle lower was considered a pistol .

[jerkin]

hmmmm , thanks for the thread I did not realize that a stripped rifle lower was considered a pistol .

It's not. You should probably read the thread again.

[knight0334]

hmmmm , thanks for the thread I did not realize that a stripped rifle lower was considered a pistol .

Here is how federal law is written.

1. You have to be 21 to purchase ALL firearms from a FFL, and only from FFL in your home state.
2. Rifles and shotguns are then deregulated to allow 18yo's to purchase them, and then are further deregulated to allow all to purchase them at a FFL in any state.
3. Since a bare receiver is not a rifle or shotgun, it is just a firearm(other) and falls under #1 above.

[Tom488]

hmmmm , thanks for the thread I did not realize that a stripped rifle lower was considered a pistol .

It is not - the rules for transferring it are just similar. Technically, the ATF considers a stripped lower to be an "Other" - that is, a Title I firearm that is other than a rifle, shotgun, or pistol. As such, since it is NOT a rifle or shotgun, it can only be transferred to a non-licensee in his/her own state of residence... just LIKE a handgun.

Minor technicality, but there it is.

[bodymangt]

"BING" ok the lights just went on still a rifle just handled similar to a pistol . thanks again .
now I feel a lil stupid , but smarter for it .