Revised: 1/03/08
A. Specific Questions to AR 15 Plus
B. GENERAL QUESTIONS
(B1) Does the law regulate who can be in the business? [Back]
Yes. The Gun Control Act (GCA), administered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) of the Department of Justice, contains Federal licensing standards for various firearms businesses (manufacturers, importers, and dealers).
An example of these standards is that the applicant must have a business premises.
[18 U.S.C. 923(d), 27 CFR 478.47]
(B2) Does the Federal Government issue a license or permit to carry a concealed weapon? [Back]
No. Neither ATF nor any other Federal agency issues such a permit or license. Carrying permits may be issued by a State or local government.
(B3) Do antique firearms come within the purview of the GCA? [Back]
No.
[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3) and (16), 27 CFR 478.11 and 478.141(d)]
(B4) What kinds of ammunition are covered by the GCA? [Back]
Ammunition includes cartridge cases, primers, bullets or propellant powder designed for use in any firearm other than an antique firearm.
Items NOT covered include blank ammunition, tear gas ammunition, pellets and nonmetallic shotgun hulls without primers.
Generally, no records are required for ammunition transactions. However, information about the disposition of armor piercing ammunition is required to be entered into a record by importers, manufacturers, and collectors.
A license is not required for dealers in ammunition only.
[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(17) and 922(b)(5), 27 CFR 478.11 and 478.125]
(B5) Does the GCA control the sale of firearms parts? [Back]
No, except that frames or receivers of firearms are "firearms" as defined in the law and subject to the same controls as complete firearms. Silencer parts are also firearms under the GCA, as well as under the National Firearms Act (NFA). Certain machine gun
parts, such as conversion parts or kits, are also subject to the NFA.
[18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3) and (24), 26 U.S.C. 5845, 27 CFR 478.11 and 479.11]
(B6) Does the GCA prohibit anyone from making a handgun, shotgun or rifle? [Back]
With certain exceptions a firearm may be made by a non-licensee provided it is not for sale and the maker is not prohibited from possessing firearms. However, a person is prohibited from assembling a non-sporting semi-automatic rifle or non-sporting shotgun from imported parts.