Ain’t afraid of no Ghosts
If you are like us, you watched President Biden blunder on yesterday about Ghost guns and gun control, only to walk away more confused than when you started watching. Well have no fear, the Tactical Shit team has your back. We burned the midnight oil, and half our brain cells, to read over all 364 pages of Bidens new gun control proposals because, let’s be honest, we know you don’t want to. So here are seven takeaways from this horrible read.
1. Tick Tock…but not the twerking kind –
“So am I legal? Can I still buy this? Can I still build this?!?” One of the recurring themes in this decision is time. Time till a receiver must be serialized, how long can a firearm be kept by a gunsmith before disposition ect. However the first, and main, question on everyone’s mind is “When…when does this take effect?” Let’s all take a collective breath and look at the ruling. The majority of the changes take effect 120 days AFTER the final rule is published in the Federal Register (which as of the writing of this article has not happened yet). So don’t go firing up the john boats just yet, we have a bit of time.
2. Frames, receivers, firearms and weapons, oh my –
whether its discussing the number of genders, classifying what a “woman is” or defining what a “firearm” is, the one thing liberal politicians have going for them is consistency. They do an amazing job of making things about as clear as Mississippi mud. Or in this The authors of this document are no exception. Now any part of a gun (operable or not) that can accept certain parts such as bolt carrier, fire control group, breachface ect is considered a “frame” for handguns and “receiver” for long guns. No long is your 80% lower simply a paperweight, it is a “receiver”…but that doesn’t mean it is a “firearm” necessarily. Part of that distinction is how much effort is needed to finish it…See crystal clear.
3. Kits are guns…because…reasons –
So an inoperable (80%) lower isn’t necessarily a “firearm” on its own, simply a receiver therefore not requiring an FFL transfer to purchase. However if that lower would also come with a jig, tools, manuals or instructions or simply have all the parts necessary to assemble (after milling) than “ta da” it is now considered a firearm. Gone are the days of the buy, build, kits…thanks a lot AFT.
4. Serial Killer –
A large part of the new ruling deals with serial numbers and the requirement of all firearm “frames and receivers” to have 10 digit serial numbers in a specified manor be engraved 1/16 in size and .003 in depth. This includes importers and gunsmiths. To reduce the burden, they are changing to allow non 07 FFL’s to be able to add serial numbers. They are also grandfathering in older serial numbering systems currently in place. Our belief is this will effect manufacturers more than home builders.
5. Rules for thee, not for my Ghost Gun and me –
Most of the rulings and increased regulation regarding “Private Manufactured Firearm” or PMF don’t actually pertain to the individual lawfully creating and possessing the PMF (aka Ghost gun). The real regulations kick in once that home made heater finds its way to a FFL holders hands. This could simply be gunsmithing, but it would require that the acquisition be recorded and as such, be serialized. However as long as you make the gun for yourself and it stays in your possession, the new law still doesn’t require engraving. Mill away boys, mill away.
6. IT’S A TRAP, just not for solvent –
One of the terms and items repeated in this ruling involves suppressors (as if they aren’t already regulated to high heaven). Much like the “kits” mentioned above, our interpretation is if you purchase a tube, plugs/baffles, and other accessories at the same time, or if pieces like the end cap or baffles come with dimples or guides to aid in drilling…you just purchased a suppressor. As such the tube, or body, must be serialized before transfer, not simply upon completion.
7. Your voice matters…kind of –
No we didn’t want this, yes we are getting saddled with more bureaucratic bs…but it could have been worse. The ATF received over 290,000 “comments” during the open submission period. These letters came from manufacturers, distributors, retailers, clubs, groups and individuals just like you. After reading all 364 pages it is clear that although they had an agenda they wanted to push regardless, your voice was heard. Things like undue burden and confusion of having multiple serial numbers on the same firearm were looked at and adjusted from initial proposition. They heard us, and on occasion, logic and reason won the day. Our voices together were louder than they could fully ignore. So no more silence, we must stand for what we believe and what we hold sacred now and in the months and years to come.
This article is our editorial opinion and interpretation of new FFL rules after reading the 364 page 27cfr Parts 447 478 and 479 docket #2021R-05F AG Order#5374-2022 RIN 1140-AA54. We are not attorneys and are not giving you any legal advice.
Special Thanks to the Tactical Shit FFL Department especially Dave Harter for taking the time to interpret these new rules and putting them into words we can all understand.