ATF Rules re AR Uppers

[Retired shooter]

While visiting this afternoon with a barrel manufacturing rep, I was informed that due to recent law changes, that they could no longer sell complete upper AR assembly. Due to no serialization numbers on an upper assembly, it is now considered to be a ghost gun.

When the H-LL did this take place. For years the lower assy was the only serialized part of the weapon.

Anyone have any more information about this.?

Retired shooter.

Forum Boss: Based on the information on the ATF website that information is INCORRECT:

See:

Does the final rule reclassify AR-15 uppers, and are they now required to be marked with a serial number? | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

No. The AR-15 platform has been specifically addressed in the final rule and the lower receiver will remain the regulated receiver requiring the appropriate markings. Pursuant to the final rule, 27 CFR 478.12(f)(1)(i) “[t]he receiver is the lower part of the weapon that provides housing for the...

www.atf.gov

 

[HandgunHTR]

That person was wrong. It was initially discussed, but it was shot down.

Does the final rule reclassify AR-15 uppers, and are they now required to be marked with a serial number? | Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

No. The AR-15 platform has been specifically addressed in the final rule and the lower receiver will remain the regulated receiver requiring the appropriate markings. Pursuant to the final rule, 27 CFR 478.12(f)(1)(i) “[t]he receiver is the lower part of the weapon that provides housing for the...

www.atf.gov

 

[Larry Koch]

Keep voting dim, because my great grandfather voted dim.

 

[wildcatter]

Yep, the age of disinformation, sad where we have arrived!

 

[DShortt]

While visiting this afternoon with a barrel manufacturing rep, I was informed that due to recent law changes, that they could no longer sell complete upper A R assembly. Due to no serialization numbers on an upper assy , it is now considered to be a ghost gun.

When the H-LL did this take place. For years the lower assy was the only serialized part of the weapon.

Anyone have any more information about this.?

Retired shooter.

I'd question as to if the person you spoke with is truly a manufacturer's rep because that is incorrect and I'm sure the manufacturers are well aware of it.

 

[Brians356]

I'd question as to if the person you spoke with is truly a manufacturer's rep because that is incorrect and I'm sure the manufacturers are well aware of it.

If I were the manufacturer and he was my rep, I'd be grateful to learn he's telling potential customers that. He requires "correction".
-

 

[Bill K]

Think That the rep better do some reading. The so called "Ghost Gun" is for the 80% unfinished recievers.
I bet if that rep checked his companies items he would find they have a serial number on them and are still very much for sale.
He needs some education or given the boot by his employer.

 

[JMayo]

I googled barreled upper for the answer ... Still selling them.

 

[J.d. Popkes]

Fake news

 

[Retired shooter]

Yip. I also did more research, found out the last word was only the lower receivers are serialized. Obviously that employee was in error. I have since e mailed him the pertinent info.

Thank you, guys for the update.

Retired shooter

 

[divingin]

There was a slew of articles (early 2022) about the misnomer of the "action" on an AR-15. The dispute was this:

The ATF frame/receiver definition was “That part of a firearm which provides housing for the hammer, bolt or breechblock, and firing mechanism, and which is usually threaded at its forward portion to receive the barrel.”

The AR-15, with the split receiver, didn't fit that definition, as the barrel mounting was not part of the frame or receiver. In addition, striker fired pistols don't have a hammer, so could also be argued to not fall under that definition.

Thus we get ATF 1021R-05F, which was written to include modern firearm design, including both the split-receiver of the AR's and the hammerless striker-fired pistols.

How your vendor decides to apply that to AR uppers, I have no idea.