ATF Changes or ‘Clarifies’ Rules for 80% Receiver Blank Building

Editors note: Seems ATF is taking aim at the 80% Receiver market and retailers or build groups that share machines to help complete the milling of unfinished Receivers. Also after a laymans read of the ruling it seems that sub contractors in the business of making forge receivers now must now become licensed as a firearms manufacturer to stay in business.

AR Rifle Lower Receiver
AR Rifle 80% Lower Receiver Blank
Orchid Advisors
Orchid Advisors

USA – -(Ammoland.com)- Orchid Advisors has received direct confirmation from the ATF that the first ruling of 2015 has been issued. It is titled “2015-1 Manufacturing and Gunsmithing” and is intended to clarify the former ATF Ruling, 2010-10.

Pages 5 and 6 of the new ruling state, “…any person (including any corporation or other legal entity) engaged in the business of performing machining, molding, casting, forging, printing (additive manufacturing) or other manufacturing process to create a firearm frame or receiver, or to make a frame or receiver suitable for use as part of a “weapon … which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive,” i.e., a “firearm,” must be licensed as a manufacturer under the GCA; identify (mark) any such firearm; and maintain required manufacturer’s records.

Held further, a business (including an association or society) may not avoid the manufacturing license, marking, and recordkeeping requirements of the GCA by allowing persons to perform manufacturing processes on blanks or incomplete firearms (including frames or receivers) using machinery, tools, or equipment under its dominion and control where that business controls access to, and use of, such machinery, tools, or equipment.

Held further, this ruling is limited to an interpretation of the requirements imposed on persons under the GCA, and does not interpret the requirements of the National Firearms Act, 26 U.S.C. 5801 et. seq.

ATF Ruling 2010-10 is hereby clarified.”

ATF Ruling 2015 1 Manufacturing and Gunsmithing[1]

Orchid Advisors is pleased to deliver this information first to the industry and will provide addition detail as necessary. More information can be found on the ATF website or the Orchid Advisors website.

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