Hello All,
Member of a few other groups for a while but first post here. Should have joined earlier since I'm a CT resident and there's so much info/discussion specific to our draconian restrictions. Forgive the length of my first post, but it's detailed. I know there have been other Pre-ban threads, but I think this is specific to right now.
Anyway, I recently picked up another pre-ban AR lower, my third, with the plans of SBR-ing one of them in light of the possible looming new rulings on pistol braced firearms (of which I have several as 'others'). Plus it will give me more options for future suppressed configurations without the minimum barrel length issues of an 'other'.
As of now I have a PWA Commando, an EA J-15 and just got an Olympic SGW 'stop sign' lower. As some may know, I first have to get an 'assault weapons certificate' from state police before applying to ATF, and for that I apparently need documented verification from the manufacturer of its date of production. Only thing is that none of these manufacturers are still around to provide that. Yes, there's a good deal of info online that lists dates of manufacture, but.....
- PWA (who no longer exist as a manufacturer) had all their info taken over by Lewis Machine and Tool who no longer have those records (contacted twice).
- EA Just closed shop for good earlier this year (and I'm majorly p-o-ed at myself for not doing it last year on that one), and no-one's available via phone.
- Olympic Arms doesn't even have a working website any more, plus they've got some issues with losing records in a fire as detailed in a link below.
The only way to verify the pre-ban status of these lowers according to serial # are online sources such as this....
....and for EA at least they still have a website up, whose main page clearly indicates that my receiver is pre-1994....
....all of which has been fine for personal purchase/transfer, but if state police are going to require written/documented verification from manufacturer, will that be enough? I just got taken to the cleaners with today's going prices on pre-ban lowers, and although I won't mind having a third so that I can have at least one more compliant rifle, I took this plunge specifically to SBR one of them. So I'd rather not have to flip one and buy another that's a Colt which is even more $$$, and who knows if jut that brand will raise red flags in the process. I didn't realize that EA had closed up until now, and figured Olympic was still up as well, so it was a rather soul-crushing realization after the fact.
If I had to guess, the EA has the best chance of 'sufficing' since the info comes right from the horse's mouth on their website, if I can provide that when I go to the police dept. I'll try contacting someone ahead of time to see if it will work, like if I can send the link via email or show it to them at the time via phone or laptop. But I'm afraid that I'm just going to get stonewalled because it's got to be a piece of paper from the company or nothing. Anyone have some experience like mine specifically with an AW Cert. and providing online info as proof?
Thanks for your patience with the length of the post. I look forward to being part of this forum community.
Member of a few other groups for a while but first post here. Should have joined earlier since I'm a CT resident and there's so much info/discussion specific to our draconian restrictions. Forgive the length of my first post, but it's detailed. I know there have been other Pre-ban threads, but I think this is specific to right now.
Anyway, I recently picked up another pre-ban AR lower, my third, with the plans of SBR-ing one of them in light of the possible looming new rulings on pistol braced firearms (of which I have several as 'others'). Plus it will give me more options for future suppressed configurations without the minimum barrel length issues of an 'other'.
As of now I have a PWA Commando, an EA J-15 and just got an Olympic SGW 'stop sign' lower. As some may know, I first have to get an 'assault weapons certificate' from state police before applying to ATF, and for that I apparently need documented verification from the manufacturer of its date of production. Only thing is that none of these manufacturers are still around to provide that. Yes, there's a good deal of info online that lists dates of manufacture, but.....
- PWA (who no longer exist as a manufacturer) had all their info taken over by Lewis Machine and Tool who no longer have those records (contacted twice).
- EA Just closed shop for good earlier this year (and I'm majorly p-o-ed at myself for not doing it last year on that one), and no-one's available via phone.
- Olympic Arms doesn't even have a working website any more, plus they've got some issues with losing records in a fire as detailed in a link below.
The only way to verify the pre-ban status of these lowers according to serial # are online sources such as this....
PREBAN AR15 INFORMATION RESOURCES | PRE BAN AR 15
What is a Pre Ban AR 15? Why would I want a Pre Ban AR 15? What are Pre Ban AR 15 Magazines? If you need the answer to these questions keep reading.
ar15tactical.com
....and for EA at least they still have a website up, whose main page clearly indicates that my receiver is pre-1994....
EssentialArms.com is for sale | HugeDomains
100% satisfaction guaranteed on every domain we sell. 30-day, no questions asked, money-back guarantee. Easy, fast and convenient shopping.
essentialarms.com
....all of which has been fine for personal purchase/transfer, but if state police are going to require written/documented verification from manufacturer, will that be enough? I just got taken to the cleaners with today's going prices on pre-ban lowers, and although I won't mind having a third so that I can have at least one more compliant rifle, I took this plunge specifically to SBR one of them. So I'd rather not have to flip one and buy another that's a Colt which is even more $$$, and who knows if jut that brand will raise red flags in the process. I didn't realize that EA had closed up until now, and figured Olympic was still up as well, so it was a rather soul-crushing realization after the fact.
If I had to guess, the EA has the best chance of 'sufficing' since the info comes right from the horse's mouth on their website, if I can provide that when I go to the police dept. I'll try contacting someone ahead of time to see if it will work, like if I can send the link via email or show it to them at the time via phone or laptop. But I'm afraid that I'm just going to get stonewalled because it's got to be a piece of paper from the company or nothing. Anyone have some experience like mine specifically with an AW Cert. and providing online info as proof?
Thanks for your patience with the length of the post. I look forward to being part of this forum community.
Last edited: