How To Register 80 Pistol In California

Can you still build an AR-xv in California using an 80% lower receiver? Aye, you lot can! California's legislators are always trying to notice ways to make owning a black rifle more hard for gun owners, then we're going to brand information technology easier (again). This guide volition explain the state police force, California'south AB 857, and what it means for your AR-15 and receiver bare. We'll also explain how to legally serialize your 80% lower!

DISCLAIMER: We're not lawyers, and California's gun laws are complex. Naught in this guide tin be construed as legal counsel or legal advice. If you're unsure about whatever gun laws in your state, consult with an attorney.

Desire it straight from the horse's mouth? Here'southward California DOJ's document detailing the serial number application procedure.

What Federal Constabulary Says

Federal law says y'all can legally build a firearm at home, no paperwork or license required, no serial number required. The Gun Command Act of 1968 (GCA) contains the law describing homemade firearms and their legality. The Agency of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (BATFE) explains the constabulary and enforces it:

"No, a license is not required to brand a firearm solely for personal use. However, a license is required to manufacture firearms for sale or distribution. The law prohibits a person from assembling a non–sporting semiautomatic rifle or shotgun from 10 or more than imported parts, likewise as firearms that cannot exist detected by metallic detectors or x–ray machines. In addition, the making of an NFA firearm requires a tax payment and advance approval by ATF."

[eighteen United states of americaC. 922(o), (p) and (r); 26 U.s.C. 5822; 27 CFR 478.39, 479.62 and 479.105]

Equally of Baronial, 2019, California has not successfully restricted its residents from exercising their 2nd Subpoena rights nether this federal law. The Gilded Land'southward politicians exercise not, however, like this law. They're incredibly anti-gun, and then they introduced a bill that partially conflicts with the ATF's interpretation of this constabulary: Bill AB 857.

California AB 857 Explained

California's AB 857 was passed and went into result July ane, 2018. The neb requires all firearms bought, sold, or built in California to take a unique series number practical to the weapon by January one, 2019. That includes store-bought guns and your homemade firearm, be it an AR-15 or some other rifle.

AB 857 applies to you if:

You currently ain a cocky-made firearm with no series number in California as of July one, 2018, or
You intend to build a self-made firearm in California from a receiver blank or raw materials.

AB 857 Serialization Requirements

If AB 857 applies to yous, you'll have to follow California'southward new unique serialization requirements. That means submitting a "unique serial number application" to California'due south Section of Justice and getting your series number issued to you (for a fee). Y'all must then have your series number applied to your 80% lower, receiver blank, or frame blank earlier it is legally classified as a firearm. In fact, there are two applications you lot must file: A Personal Firearms Eligibility Check application, followed by the Unique Serial Number Application.

How to Request a Serial Number in California

Stride 1: Download and submit the PFEC application

The Personal Firearm Eligibility Check (PFEC, labeled "Form BOF 116") Application needs to exist downloaded, filled out in blackness or blueish ink, notarized, and submitted to the California DOJ. The PFEC is just an enhanced, country-level background check. It determines that you're eligible to own a firearm in the state of California. You know, since apparently the ATF's ain federal background check isn't expert plenty.

Things to submit with the PFEC

*Right thumbprint impression of fingerprint-identification quality.
Re-create of your California commuter's license or identification card.
A $20 bank check or coin club payable to "CALIFORNIA Section OF JUSTICE".
Notarization of the PFEC Application past a California public notary.

*Y'all tin scroll your own thumbprint with a black-ink fingerprint pad, but your public notary can as well handle this for you.

Mail service your completed PFEC to:

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE Agency OF FIREARMS - PFEC P.O. BOX 820200 SACRAMENTO, CA 94203-0200

If you have questions nigh filing your PFEC application, contact the CA DOJ at 916-227-7527 or firearms.bureau@doj.ca.gov. The Section is incredibly unwilling to talk to California residents over the phone. You may need to play around and select certain options when calling to get a live representative on the phone. Once your PFEC has been submitted, it will take approximately 30 days for your application to be reviewed and approved or rejected. The DOJ says it is recommended you wait for your PFEC application to be approved before submitting your Unique Serial Number Application.

Stride 2: Annals on California CFARS Arrangement

California has at least made some attempt to modernize this bureaucratic serialization process. To submit your Unique Serial Number Application, you'll need to first register on the California Firearms Application Reporting System (CFARS): https://cfars.doj.ca.gov/login.do Once registered, you tin fill up out your Unique Serial Number Application (USNA).

Footstep iii: Fill out and submit the USNA application

The USNA can exist completed through the CFARS system. You tin can also choose to download a written USNA awarding, to be completed and submitted via email or regular mail. The written awarding has some confusing legalese on page one regarding California's Assail Weapon Registration in 2017. You lot can ignore this data since yous're only edifice a Firearm Manufactured By Unlicensed Subject (FMBUS), not an assail weapon. Page 2 of the application (pictured above) is where you need to begin filling out your personal data.

Submitting your USNA

If completing your USNA request digitally, yous can simply submit your awarding and process your $15 payment for the awarding via CFARS with a credit or debit carte. If you process digitally, you'll receive a determination about your application through e-mail. If yous opt out of using CFARS, nosotros recommend against submitting the awarding via email. Nosotros recommend mailing your application in with the required payment of $15 via cheque or money order to:

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE BUREAU OF FIREARMS – AWR P.O. BOX 160367 Sacramento, CA 95816-0367

If yous have questions about completing or submitting the USNA application, email the CA DOJ at dojserialnumber@doj.ca.gov.

Footstep four: Receive your serial number and engrave it (quickly)

The California DOJ says it takes at least xv agenda days to process your USNA application. If approved, you'll receive your unique serial number in a decision alphabetic character. Yous then have 10 days to become your series number engraved on your lxxx% lower or receiver blank. Since your 80% lower or receiver bare isn't considered a firearm yet, you can accept any machine shop or metallurgist complete your engraving. Your engraving must adhere to the following requirements:

Minimum engraved depth of 0.003"
Minimum text size no smaller than 1/16"

The engraving must include your serial number and the following information from your USNA application:

Model of the firearm
City and land of manufacture
Quotient or gauge of the firearm
Manufacturer'south first and terminal proper name

Submitting proof of your engraving

Failing to meet the ten-solar day deadline means your serial number becomes invalid, and you'll need to start the whole application process over. The CA DOJ considers the day they send the email with your application's approval as "day one". You just demand to take photos of the engraved serial number on your new receiver blank and upload them to CFARS every bit proof.

Step 5: Terminate building your black rifle!

With your lxxx% lower or blank engraved with your California-issued serial number, you're finally in the clear to cut and drill your lower! Doing and so turns it into a stripped lower receiver, a firearm that y'all can cease edifice with a lower parts kit, upper, buffer assembly, and all your favorite accessories.

Summary

That was a lot of data to digest. Want a quick summary?

You tin can build an 80% lower in California, if you apply for a unique serial number first.
You need to receive your serial numberearlier yous cut and drill your lower receiver.
To apply, first submit a Personal Firearm Eligiblity Check (PFEC) application.
Side by side, register on CFARS and submit a Unique Serial Number Application (USNA).
You lot can download the USNA and submit it manually via email or post, too.
Submit the USNA with a $15 fee (paid digitally or by check/money order).
Receive your unique serial number, get information technology engraved, and finish your build.

DISCLAIMER: If you are new to the world of DIY gun building, you probable have a lot of questions and rightfully so. Information technology's an area that has a lot of questions that, without the correct answers, could take some serious implications. At 80lowerjig.com, we are past no means providing this content on our website to serve as legal advice or legal counsel. We encourage each and every builder to perform their own research around their respective State laws likewise as educating themselves on the Federal laws. When performing your own research, please be sure that yous are getting your information from a reliable source.