Question regarding "untraceable" firearms

[adamR]

I've been thinking that it would be fun to finish my own 80% AR.  I know that prior to July 1, I'm still able to do that without issue.  My question is, is there any legal issue with using, carrying, shooting, or having in my possession a gun without a serial number?  For instance, if I built a predator rifle that started as an 80% lower and ran into a sheriff/game warden, am I doing anything wrong from a legal standpoint?

[Katmai Guy]

Hope not because I'm doing the same thing.

[Special T]

My Question is how would they know when it was built? You would have to either register it, or have some kind of Proof of Life photo with a newspaper and a date.

[woodswalker]

My Question is how would they know when it was built? You would have to either register it, or have some kind of Proof of Life photo with a newspaper and a date.

This one will be interesting...enforcement will be creative.  I sure dont want to be the test case tho.

[81husky]

Unless I'm mistaken, the new law does nothing to prevent you from making your own firearm unless you're prohibited from having firearms. You can't make one with the intent to sell it, but that's already covered under Federal law. You can also put your own serial number on it at your discretion. Doesn't matter what the number is, and might be a good idea if it ever got stolen. 

[Bill W]

There used to be a fee that was to be paid to the ATF upon completion of assembly of the parts.  I think it's way overlooked among the hobbyists assembling kits. 

[Boss .300 winmag]

🤔

[dreadi]

You’re fine to build and use in any legal manner.

[adamR]

Unless I'm mistaken, the new law does nothing to prevent you from making your own firearm unless you're prohibited from having firearms. You can't make one with the intent to sell it, but that's already covered under Federal law. You can also put your own serial number on it at your discretion. Doesn't matter what the number is, and might be a good idea if it ever got stolen.

Makes sense but I see it as though prior to July 1, they had no definition for a completed 80% lower, now they will.  I'm sure that very soon after that we will see more regulations regarding untracable firearms.  My thought was that prior to July 1, I wouldnt be involved, in theory, with future infringement.

[adamR]

I can't find anything telling me that a gun is required to have a serial number and thats also what it sounds like here so I guess I'll roll the dice and not worry about it.

[Skyvalhunter]

That's good advice there

[SGTDuffman]

There used to be a fee that was to be paid to the ATF upon completion of assembly of the parts.  I think it's way overlooked among the hobbyists assembling kits.

I believe that fee is only if you plan to sell the completed firearm, and would part of your license application related to being a manufacturer. Likewise with the serial number. As long as it is only ever for personal use, it requires neither. You will never be able to sell it though.

[kselkhunter]

If building your own 80% setup, why not just stamp a serial number on it?  Make it the date code of when it was built, so there is no doubt of when you made it.   That way you have a defensible position in the future if necessary.  You still have the issue of not being able to ever sell the self-manufactured gun (not without the proper license).


 

 

[dreadi]

Firearms (non NFA) made for personal use by unlicensed persons are not required to have a serial number or a unique identifier. If you decide to sell it one day, you are not required to have a serial number or unique identifier marked on the firearm.

[hunter399]

Firearms (non NFA) made for personal use by unlicensed persons are not required to have a serial number or a unique identifier. If you decide to sell it one day, you are not required to have a serial number or unique identifier marked on the firearm.

I'm not 100% sure but your not allowed to sell firearms you make at home .
That would make u a firearm manufacturer without proper licenses.
When you make it ,it's yours for life.
Now there's no way of knowing that you sold it except the person who buys it.
I wouldn't get caught.