Is it legal to own an SBR in the State of Washington?Any resources available?
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Is it legal to own an SBR in the State of Washington?Any resources available?
According to the info in this thread, the answer is no:
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=11675
Bummer...
Derek
As a sometime WA resident, I've always wondered if you could have a registered lower and just throw a Title I upper on it. The Federal and State definitions appear to be different.
But, I don't have time to pursue it.
Doesn't Bigfoot live in Washington?If ever there was an argument for owning and carrying an SBR,the possibility of being attacked by Bigfoot is the best one I've ever heard.Damn latte drinking hippies!
Unless I'm mistaken, you can OWN a suppressor in WA state, but can NOT actually USE it.
That's how I've come to interpret the law. Makes perfect sense doesn't it?
Can the grandfathered in ones be sold or transfered to other WA residents?
Been wondering that myself. Saw this online, but still need to do more research.
http://www.guntrustlawyer.com/states/washington/
Another option I was checking out were AR pistols. We can own those in WA and should state law ever change, they can be converted to a rifle. As I understand the law though; once a rifle, always a rifle. You can't just switch back and forth but until state law changes or you move to somewhere SBR friendly, the pistol is it unless your situation is as Stickman suggested.
If you read that it specifically says that those NFA items had to have been owned prior to 1994. I used to live in Washington State and the only NFA items that Jo Public can have are AOW's and suppressors. You may mount it on a weapon, but IIRC if you discharge a round through it is a misdemeanor offense.
That is so stupid. Who makes up these laws? Oh wait, people we've elected. Damn! :mad:
Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 9.41.040 (3): "It shall be an affirmative defense to a prosecution brought under this section that the machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short barreled rifle was acquired prior to July 1, 1994, and is possessed in compliance with federal law."
Strangely enough, this change to the RCW took place in 1994 with the passage of the Youth Crime Bill. It would seem that someone with money/power was able to get someone to slide this into the bill as there was a total prohibition of these NFA firearms prior to this change in 1994.
Not sure what you were trying to say, but if I recall NFA items were actually legal in Washington State until 1994. If you read the notes in the RCW the restriction on machine guns was due to "gang activity". The only weapons that weren't affected were AOW's and suppressors.
Are you able to buy an upper (or even a barrel) that is less than 16" in WA as long as it isn't mated to a lower?
I believe that you can, but I don't remember seeing them in the stores or at the gun shows. I had a Bushamster upper with a 14.5 barrel with a flash hider permed in place. The only time I have seen any reference to parts was one company that wouldn't ship an M16 "bolt". Whatever that means?
The point for some would be just to have one. Or, moving to another state. Or, using in another state during training, perhaps. Or, already having one on hand if the dumb law ever got revoked. Other than that, I don't know. Just thought I'd float the question. I've seen quite a few uppers under 16" for sale in WA and wasn't aware until recently that I couldn't get one.
Iraqgunz brings up a good point. If you were to perm attach the flash hider (to a 14.5") then it is legal and you don't have to go through the paperwork, etc. I assume.
I have purchased a 14.5" barreled upper and performed the drilling and pinning with the help of a machinist friend. I just made sure to keep the upper in his machine shop and my lower at home until the flash hider was permanently affixed.
Can you have a barrel shorter than 16" if you are building an AR pistol?
No idea. I do know it is legal to own a suppressor in WA but you cannot use it. I would not want to have one mounted on my AR all innocent like if a WA LEO was on the range. He/she would probably want to arrest you for "intent". :mad:
What if you step across the boarder and fire rounds back into WA?
Does that count?
That's pretty funny. I'm not all that familiar with NFA stuff, but I'd certainly like to own a sound suppressor. So, am I to understand that if I buy one here in WA, pay the $200 tax, there is no problem shooting it while in other states?
1) Every person who:
(a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward, downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;
(b) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk, pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or
(c) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any firearm,
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
We're working on that. ;)
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/billinfo/summ...2009&bill=1604
Quote:
Sec. 1. RCW 9.41.250 and 2007 c 379 s 1 are each amended to read
as follows:
(1) Every person who:
(a) Manufactures, sells, or disposes of or possesses any instrument
or weapon of the kind usually known as slung shot, sand club, or metal
knuckles, or spring blade knife, or any knife the blade of which is
automatically released by a spring mechanism or other mechanical
device, or any knife having a blade which opens, or falls, or is
ejected into position by the force of gravity, or by an outward,
downward, or centrifugal thrust or movement;
(b) Furtively carries with intent to conceal any dagger, dirk,
pistol, or other dangerous weapon; or
(c) Uses any contrivance or device for suppressing the noise of any
firearm unless the suppressor is legally registered and possessed in
accordance with federal law,
is guilty of a gross misdemeanor punishable under chapter 9A.20 RCW.
@M4tographer, how can we help?
Sorry bud. Here's the original thread. :) Be mindful of the letter he included in the main post...it's got a couple of typos. One of my reps is a co-sponsor, so he got a personal 'thank you' from me. I sent off to the others urging them to make this 'blue law' into something that decriminalizes those who go through the proper FEDERAL channels (read: strict) to obtain this equipment.
https://www.m4carbine.net/showthread.php?t=25504
@M4tographer, thanks for the suppressor thread link. Back to SBRs in WA -- Is there any group tackling this issue?
That's awesome M4! Any idea when/if that revised code will become law? Too bad you didn't try the "automatic knife" language at the same time. I wonder what a "dirk" is? Does anyone know if a can is legal to shoot in MT? I don't want to startle the prarie dogs this summer. :)
Anyone in WA needs to contact their elected officials and mention the can issue. Remember to be polite, point out that they are not all that quiet, but that they will reduce the noise enough that it won't "bother" people who live near firing ranges.
Go with the green idea and noise pollution, this state tends to eat that concept up.
Good strategy Stick. I'll also be sure to tell them that I drive to the range in my Pryus while wearing Birkenstocks and drinking a soy latte, talking on my Bluetooth whilst reading email on my Nav screen. You laugh, but these are the sheeple that so dominate Western WA. Eastern Wa is like another country. Unfortunately most of the population is in Western WA. Our tourism ads should say "come to WA, the state with the split personality!". :rolleyes:
If we could get rid of Portland and Seattle, we would have two pretty good states. :D