In my latest article I discussed how permanently attached muzzle devices become part of the barrel length and overall length of a firearm.
With that understanding, a client asked me to revisit my earlier article about vertical foregrips. As I noted in that article, the ATF’s position is as follows:
a) Adding a vertical fore-grip to a pistol generally makes it an AOW subject to the requirements of the National Firearms Act (NFA).
b) However, if the overall length (OAL) of the pistol is greater than 26 inches then adding a vertical fore-grip doesn’t result in the pistol becoming an AOW.
Therefore, if you have a pistol with an OAL which is less than 26 inches and you add a permanently attached muzzle device such that the new OAL exceeds 26 inches then a vertical foregrip may be added to the the resulting firearm without making it an AOW.
However, as the ATF made clear in their opinion letter on this issue (see below), concealing this firearm would make it an AOW so caution is advised when transporting or using a firearm thus constructed.
Finally, since a firearm thusly configured is no longer considered a handgun, it would no longer be concealable under a Virginia Concealed Handgun Permit.
If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact me.
