Category Archives: AR Pistols

Understanding the implications of the recent ATF ruling regarding overall length measurements

Posted on July 6, 2019 by John Pierce

Social media is buzzing about the recent release of a letter from the ATF regarding folding or telescoping ‘stabilizing braces’, non-standard receiver extensions, and the measurement of overall length (OAL). I have received several calls and emails from clients who … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative Law, AOW, AR Pistols, ATF, ATF Guidance Letters, ATF Ruling, BATFE, Overall Length (OAL), Stabilizing Brace | Comments Off on Understanding the implications of the recent ATF ruling regarding overall length measurements

eForm 1: Documents needed

Posted on December 7, 2018 by John Pierce

In the past, I have attempted to assist clients in filing their eForm 1 applications.  The sheer volume has made it impossible for me to continue offering that as a free service since it can take over half-an-hour per application … Continue reading →

Posted in 41F, 80% Lower, Administrative Law, AOW, AR Pistols, AR-15, ATF, BATFE, CLEO Notification, eForms, Form 1, Form 23, Manufacturing, NFA Trusts, Processing Times, SBR, SBS, Short Barreled Rifles, Short Barreled Shotguns | Comments Off on eForm 1: Documents needed

Avoiding AOW status with a permanently attached muzzle device on a pistol with a vertical foregrip

Posted on November 26, 2017 by John Pierce

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in AOW, AR Pistols, ATF, ATF Ruling, Barrel Length, BATFE, CHP, Concealed Handgun Permit, Criminal Law, Federal Law, Firearms Technology Branch, Overall Length (OAL), SBR, Short Barreled Rifles, Short Barreled Shotguns | Comments Off on Avoiding AOW status with a permanently attached muzzle device on a pistol with a vertical foregrip

The ATF is effectively reversing their position on stabilizing braces once again

Posted on March 21, 2017 by John Pierce

In the Fall of 2014, I wrote about a series of actions on the part of the ATF that lead me to believe that they were attempting to modify their interpretation of the stabilizing brace issue. On January 16, 2015 … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative Law, AR Pistols, ATF, ATF Guidance Letters, BATFE, SBR, Short Barreled Rifles, Stabilizing Brace | Comments Off on The ATF is effectively reversing their position on stabilizing braces once again

Does putting a bipod on a pistol make it an AOW?

Posted on August 10, 2016 by John Pierce

I received an email this morning from a client asking whether or not they could add a bipod to their pistol without making it an AOW. As I have pointed out on more than one occasion, the answer to almost … Continue reading →

Posted in Administrative Law, AOW, AR Pistols, ATF, ATF Guidance Letters, BATFE, Criminal Law, Firearms Technology Branch, Stabilizing Brace | Comments Off on Does putting a bipod on a pistol make it an AOW?