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I recently bought a stripped lower receiver from Jon Kruger of Anvil Arms (http://www.anvilarms.com/p-326-registered-pistol-lower-receiver.aspx) with the intention of building a AR-type of pistol - 10.5" barrel, 15-round magazine, no stock (only the buffer tube of course), compensator not a suppressor. Engraved clearly and in white, on the receiver are the words, "Registered Pistol". When I picked up said lower from my local FFL (local cop-supply shop manned by former LEOs) it was recorded as a pistol.
It was (and remains) my understanding that as long as it complies with the state "assault rifle" no-nos, AND has no stock, it fits the NJ statutory definition of a "handgun":
However, before I go spending my devaluing dollars on the upper, I need to know if it would be in violation of the state law to possess such a firearm. A careful reading of the relevant pages on the web that I could find lead me to believe that such a firearm would be legal, but I wouldn't be surprised if the yahoos that run this state can decide that something is "ex post facto" or retroactively illegal.
I know, I know, "Find a competent attorney" you'll say -- is there such a one in the state who knows his elbow/anus ? Louis Nappen -- son of THE "gun-lawyer" in NJ, responded to my email in a way that led me to believe that either he didn't read it, or is deep in heavy cover-ass mode (emails are not client-attorney privileged), or he's a "pay-me-and-maybe-I'll-tell-you" lawyer.
I was also counseled by "gun store guy" to write a letter to the Attorney General of NJ to tell him what I have planned to see if his office responds. Might be a good idea -- send it certified mail and all that -- to rely on the "silence means consent" theory in the event that trouble arise from a zealous but ignorant LEO. On the other hand, one should let sleeping dogs lie, eh?
Ideas?
It was (and remains) my understanding that as long as it complies with the state "assault rifle" no-nos, AND has no stock, it fits the NJ statutory definition of a "handgun":
State of New Jersey:TITLE 13. LAW AND PUBLIC SAFETY CHAPTER 54. FIREARMS AND WEAPONS"Handgun" means any pistol, revolver, or other firearm originally designed or manufactured to be fired by the use of a single hand.
However, before I go spending my devaluing dollars on the upper, I need to know if it would be in violation of the state law to possess such a firearm. A careful reading of the relevant pages on the web that I could find lead me to believe that such a firearm would be legal, but I wouldn't be surprised if the yahoos that run this state can decide that something is "ex post facto" or retroactively illegal.
I know, I know, "Find a competent attorney" you'll say -- is there such a one in the state who knows his elbow/anus ? Louis Nappen -- son of THE "gun-lawyer" in NJ, responded to my email in a way that led me to believe that either he didn't read it, or is deep in heavy cover-ass mode (emails are not client-attorney privileged), or he's a "pay-me-and-maybe-I'll-tell-you" lawyer.
I was also counseled by "gun store guy" to write a letter to the Attorney General of NJ to tell him what I have planned to see if his office responds. Might be a good idea -- send it certified mail and all that -- to rely on the "silence means consent" theory in the event that trouble arise from a zealous but ignorant LEO. On the other hand, one should let sleeping dogs lie, eh?
Ideas?