The Firing Line Forums - View Single Post - Building your own firearm from scratch, Legal?

**44 AMP** · December 20, 2009, 01:22 PM

And decided later you didn't need it, you could sell it, just like any other gun you own (provided it meets all legal requirements). The "gray area" is about whether or not you are a "manfacturer" and need the proper Federal/State licenses.

Ther are (or were) a small number of custom rifle makers in the country, who operate without the Federal license (the same one Remington, S&W, etc.need to have) and the BATFE doesn't care about them (as manufacturers), because the volume of their business is so low. I believe they need dealers licenses, but not the manufacturer's license. At one time (back in the 1970s) the ATF said that making up to 10 guns a year was ok with out a mfg license. I do not know if that is still the case, and it would be a very good idea to check the current rulings.

A gun you make must meet the Federal requirements (bbl length, #of US madeparts, if applicable, etc. And it must have a (at least 3 digit) serial number, and have the maker's name and address on it.

As always, Internet advice is worth what you pay for it, so check caefully with the appropriate govt agencies, and perhaps a good lawyer, who understands firearms law, before going ahead with any questionable action.

December 20, 2009, 01:22 PM	#13
44 AMP Staff Join Date: March 11, 2006 Location: Upper US Posts: 28,934	If you made a gun.... And decided later you didn't need it, you could sell it, just like any other gun you own (provided it meets all legal requirements). The "gray area" is about whether or not you are a "manfacturer" and need the proper Federal/State licenses. Ther are (or were) a small number of custom rifle makers in the country, who operate without the Federal license (the same one Remington, S&W, etc.need to have) and the BATFE doesn't care about them (as manufacturers), because the volume of their business is so low. I believe they need dealers licenses, but not the manufacturer's license. At one time (back in the 1970s) the ATF said that making up to 10 guns a year was ok with out a mfg license. I do not know if that is still the case, and it would be a very good idea to check the current rulings. A gun you make must meet the Federal requirements (bbl length, #of US madeparts, if applicable, etc. And it must have a (at least 3 digit) serial number, and have the maker's name and address on it. As always, Internet advice is worth what you pay for it, so check caefully with the appropriate govt agencies, and perhaps a good lawyer, who understands firearms law, before going ahead with any questionable action. __________________ All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better.