Reply #33: A simple switch of the barrel/bolt assembly is most of the firearm. [View All]

[AtheistCrusader]

I would argue that the lower is considered 'the firearm' in the US, because for MOST firearms, that's the component that can most easily be regulated to be in compliance with the requirements that the weapon not be convertible to a select-fire weapon with a replacement of readily available parts.

I would like to see the 'bb guns' for myself. The news reports have enough errors that I consider some of the statements made to be suspect. Could these be real AK-47 variant recievers? Maybe. It's a stamped piece of sheet metal. If someone was really trying to get these in-country, they could just make them in their garage with 50$ worth of tools and a few pieces of sheet metal from home depot, or whatever your equivalent in Canada. (People are not 'printing money' doing so, because this is literally the least valuable component of the gun.)

Out of curiousity, can you purchase a replacement barrel and all the innards without any questions asked? In the US, indeed, you could. I suspect that is not so in Canada.

Stamping out a piece of sheet metal by hand is one thing, producing a barrel and bolt that won't energetically dissassemble in your hands is another.

Edit: I would like to mention, I did say there has to be more to this story, upthread, and it seems maybe there is. If the toy manufacturer decided to use a couple real components (probably because they are stupid cheap, you wouldn't believe) then yes, they are afoul of the letter of the law, and have attracted the appropriate level of attention. However, I will continue to mock silliness like police officals talking about 'simple' replacement of barrel/bolt, etc. It's just nonsense for this particular type of firearm. For an AR platform, less nonsense, but the purpose is still questionable. You're talking about a 700$ firearm. Of which the lower only comprises about 250. Importing parts of a toy doesn't make a whole lot of sense, even if they can be re-used in a real firearm. To what purpose? (AR's are notoriously fickle, you WANT professional fit and finish, which you won't get doing this)