Constructing AR using fixed-mag lower= "take possession"?

Celt · Mar 11, 2026

I would imagine a dealer would not sell you an AR lower receiver in New York without the semi-auto endorsement since they werent designed to be single shot.

But i certainly cant say for sure as i am not a lawyer. If you were to be found with a functioning semi auto, that was purchased after the law was written, you could be facing felony charges.

Beerman · Mar 11, 2026

More confusion to add to the befuddlement.

FP1201 · Mar 11, 2026

An AR-15 Stripped Lower Receiver with or without a Magazine "locked in" is still a "Frame/Receiver/Other" and NOT a "Semi-automatic Rifle".

There is no record keeping, Amendments of the Licenses, or verification coupon process outside of showing that you have the endorsement allowing you to purchase a complete Rifle.

Remember back in the day when you got "carded" to buy a pack of smokes or booze? they just looked at the date to make sure you were old enough and that was it....same with the Semi-auto thing.

Drinkthekoolaid · Mar 11, 2026

No body knows because there hasn't been any sort of publicly known court case along these lines.

It's all speculation on our part and it's unfortunately open to interpretation from over zealous law enforcement you may interact with and an eager anti 2a district attorney.

We can all speculate exactly what is meant but frankly is confusing and obfuscated and no one really knows for sure. If you need specific advice ask an attorney or FFL?

Otherwise do what you are comfortable assuming as risk tolerance under your layman's interpretation of the law.

Robin · Mar 11, 2026

Why don't they just leave us alone. Fucking assholes.
Robin

repete · Mar 11, 2026

Robin said:
Why don't they just leave us alone. Fucking assholes.
Robin

I second that motion!

FP1201 · Mar 11, 2026

BlakeLok said:
The NY law for semi-auto rifles states:

It is illegal to purchase or take possession of a semi-auto rifle without a semi-auto rifle license.

Does this include buying a fixed-mag lower through an FFL, a standard AR upper from a website, and attaching the two?

Has this possible loophole been tested in court yet? Any guidance from State Police?

If it's being "gifted" to you by an immediate Family member then there's no requirement to use a FFL in NY and therefor no requirement to prove such licenses, HOWEVER if you're buying a SAR (and the Dealer will know what constitutes a semi-automatic Rifle) then yes, you're going to have to prove that Licenses, which amounts to an endorsement of your NYS Handgun Licenses and if you have it not, you do not get the Rifle.
Magazine attachment is a separate issue; if you haven't the gold star to buy one, the magazine is irrelevant.
If it's just a stripped lower, then it's nothing but the serial numbered portion of the Gun: could be a bolt action, single shot 50, even an illegal MG, but it is not any of those until it's assembled as such, and if you built it into a SAR with Parts, then that's fine; it doesn't go on your Pistol Permit, no P-12 Form to the State, nothing, so long as it otherwise complies with the State AW Bans. (that's where the locked in magazine comes into play)

Only thing you'll ever get from the NYSP is "no, you can't do that" NEVER A STRAIGHT ANSWER, just the default of denial.

FP1201 · Mar 11, 2026

BlakeLok said:
Lots of good responses. I dont want to be the guinea pig and possibly be in jail and owe a lawyer $50K to deal with such a test, so I guess I shall not be doing such an experiment.

Bio says Mass: Why the interest in NY?

Celt · Mar 11, 2026

Delete

HEX · Mar 11, 2026

I'm just going to say.. I don't think there's anything wrong with asking the initial question. If that were the case, we'd have to essentially never allow any "Would this be legal ?" posts. As for the other (now deleted) post, well.. maybe not quite breaking the rule but.. riding the line for sure.

Remember folks: It's rule #1 of the forum for good reason, and it's by far the rule that will be addressed most seriously.
1. No posting about illegal activity. NY Gun Forum is here to discuss the legal ownership and use of firearms in NY.

Take care and carry on..heh

dean3690 · Mar 11, 2026

I would assume that if you buy a NY compliant AR with a Cali key (single shot) instead of the standard BCG, it would not be considered a semi auto. You would have the option of not pinning the mag if you have the proper stock to allow it.

I agree that the NYSP position would always be no you can't regardless of what the law actually states. And even if the guy you got on the hotline says yes, the next one asked the same question would likely say no and no one would put that yes in writing. If you get a yes, it only means that they have not heard that one yet and disseminated it to the ranks and told them to reject it.

Brawny71 · Mar 12, 2026

BlakeLok said:
The NY law for semi-auto rifles states:

It is illegal to purchase or take possession of a semi-auto rifle without a semi-auto rifle license.

Does this include buying a fixed-mag lower through an FFL, a standard AR upper from a website, and attaching the two?

Has this possible loophole been tested in court yet? Any guidance from State Police?

The action is what the law refers to. It is cycles automatically, you need a permit in NYS to purchase.

Brawny71 · Mar 12, 2026

BlakeLok said:
ChatGPT says possessing an AR lower and upper, without a semi-auto license, and putting them together, is currently still a gray area of the new law requiring a semi-auto license, and has yet to be tested. Does taking possession mean putting together?There is a concept in New York law for prosecuting someone for possessing two separate parts of something that would be illegal if assembled. Chat GPT calls it "constructive posession". Basically if you have two things, it is assumed that you intend to connect them so as to make the illegal thing. Not sure I want to play that game.

The grandfather clause for the law allows you to still own semi's you had prior. Any new semi requires you to go through an FFL and have a Semi endorsement on your permit. A local man just found out the hard way that private sales of all firearms (shotguns included) requires going through an FFL (first Un-Safe Act requirement). He was selling at a yard sale. Getting the pieces, putting them together even by ATF standards, puts it in the realm of the law. Not a believer, just stating the law in summarized method. The current gray area is if you have the pieces, but keep them separate, will you be charged.

Brawny71 · Mar 12, 2026

BlakeLok said:
Lower receiver can be attached to a bolt action or semi-auto upper receiver. So clearly not illegal to possess a lower purchased legally from a FFL with a background check.

But then also possessing an upper that is semi-auto? Thats the tricky part. Is it illegal to possess both parts, but unattached? Or is it just assumed that the plan is to attach them, which is a crime without a license in NY. Be kinda funny if its only illegal to possess both parts ATTACHED.

“I made it compliant by putting the manual action on. That’s [Upper in box across the shed] only there for when I move ore it becomes legal again”

JamieZ · Mar 12, 2026

You can buy a lower in NY state from a NY dealer, build your own AR, all without a license.

Lowers are not semi-auto rifles

knuts · Mar 13, 2026

BlakeLok said:
Whats a good store in the Hudson Valley or Albany area that has lots of Upper Receivers in stock? Im looking for something classic, with the standard army handguard or a magpul.

Collectors in hopewell junction is a good place to start.

Zerex · Mar 13, 2026

Find me a NYS FFL, who will transfer a lower, LEGALLY THE GUN, by itself, and a semi to boot,......... without the semi endorsment.

Remington 7400, is an example, as is a Garand.
A FN 49 I purchased, required the semi endorsement.

Trying to get around the SAFE ACT, is futile.

Any AR lower can take a bolt action upper, or a regular upper.............instant AW.

Saltwater60 · Mar 13, 2026

JamieZ said:
You can buy a lower in NY state from a NY dealer, build your own AR, all without a license.

Lowers are not semi-auto rifles

This is true. It will likely depend on the FFL and how they interpret the law.
You only need a semi auto license if you build it as a semi auto rifle. There are other options.

pshift · Mar 13, 2026

BlakeLok said:
ChatGPT says possessing an AR lower and upper, without a semi-auto license, and putting them together, is currently still a gray area of the new law requiring a semi-auto license, and has yet to be tested. Does taking possession mean putting together?There is a concept in New York law for prosecuting someone for possessing two separate parts of something that would be illegal if assembled. Chat GPT calls it "constructive posession". Basically if you have two things, it is assumed that you intend to connect them so as to make the illegal thing. Not sure I want to play that game.

Do you REALLY want to put your faith and trust in ChatGPT? Will it pay your legal expenses?

pshift · Mar 13, 2026

Can a dealer transfer a serialized lower receiver to an individual who does not have a semi-automatic rifle license?

A serialized lower receiver is defined as a major component, not a semi-automatic rifle. Because of this, serialized lowers can be transferred to customers who do not possess a semi-automatic rifle license. A NICS check is still required prior to transfer.

TopShot · Mar 13, 2026

BlakeLok said:
It is illegal to purchase or take possession of a semi-auto rifle without a semi-auto rifle license.

Why are you beating around the bush ?
Why not just apply for one ?
C.B.

TEOTWAWKI inc. · Mar 13, 2026

Sell the houses in both states and move to America.

Constructing AR using fixed-mag lower= "take possession"?

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