Having extra SBR uppers...

VUPDblue · November 27, 2007, 08:41 PM

There has been a lot of questions asked recently about having more than one short upper, but only one registered SBR lower. The questions have been whether or not it would be illegal (constructive posession) to own more than one short upper but only one SBR lower and one or more non-SBR lowers. On another site, a user posted a letter and the response from BATFE's NFA branch addressing this issue. I thought users here at TFL would get some useful information from it, so here are the scans...

Silentarmy · November 27, 2007, 10:54 PM

Thanks for the good info! Things in writing from BATFE are always comforting! It should be clarified that having a "Pistol registered" lower would also make owning a Short barreled upper legal. I researched this heavily today as well as sent in Form 1 on a new RRA lower so I may pick up a SBR upper and not be considered a criminal! Funny how much a guy can spend on a project just because he found a good deal on an upper! It's worse than finding a bunch of brass on the ground and having to buy the weapon that fires that caliber as well as dies and components to load it!

raymond- · November 28, 2007, 12:05 AM

The caveat is that *any* decision letters are always to be taken with caution
as 1) they are snapshots in time, 2) apply only to the addressee, 3) one really
never knows of subsequent decisions, rulings, or case law which may skew
what has been highlighted. Be extremely careful in how you rely on these
examples. They do not have the weight of get-out-of-jail cards.

Would that it be that decision letters from NFA Tech Branch be so easily
relied upon for clarification of what can/not be done. Sadly, the reality is
that viewing a letter(s) is just the tip of the iceberg.

November 27, 2007, 08:41 PM	#1
VUPDblue Senior Member Join Date: December 18, 2005 Location: Central Indiana Posts: 1,981	Having extra SBR uppers... There has been a lot of questions asked recently about having more than one short upper, but only one registered SBR lower. The questions have been whether or not it would be illegal (constructive posession) to own more than one short upper but only one SBR lower and one or more non-SBR lowers. On another site, a user posted a letter and the response from BATFE's NFA branch addressing this issue. I thought users here at TFL would get some useful information from it, so here are the scans... __________________ Silencers have NEVER been illegal !

November 27, 2007, 10:54 PM	#2
Silentarmy Senior Member Join Date: August 13, 2007 Location: Bountiful, Utah Posts: 355	Thanks for the good info! Things in writing from BATFE are always comforting! It should be clarified that having a "Pistol registered" lower would also make owning a Short barreled upper legal. I researched this heavily today as well as sent in Form 1 on a new RRA lower so I may pick up a SBR upper and not be considered a criminal! Funny how much a guy can spend on a project just because he found a good deal on an upper! It's worse than finding a bunch of brass on the ground and having to buy the weapon that fires that caliber as well as dies and components to load it! __________________ "No one will Ever buy that PLASTIC gun!" Steve Gallenson, Early 1980's "Those Who live by the sword get Shot by those of us who don't" "What we learn from History is that we do not learn from History!"

November 28, 2007, 12:05 AM	#3
raymond- Senior Member Join Date: June 17, 2006 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 179	The caveat is that any decision letters are always to be taken with caution as 1) they are snapshots in time, 2) apply only to the addressee, 3) one really never knows of subsequent decisions, rulings, or case law which may skew what has been highlighted. Be extremely careful in how you rely on these examples. They do not have the weight of get-out-of-jail cards. Would that it be that decision letters from NFA Tech Branch be so easily relied upon for clarification of what can/not be done. Sadly, the reality is that viewing a letter(s) is just the tip of the iceberg. __________________ raymond- 47.5N 122.2W