If you are like me, you’ve been following the rhetoric coming out of Washington lately with increasing concern. Without turning this into a political debate, I don’t trust Trump one single bit when it comes to the 2nd Amendment and gun rights. He’s already betrayed us once, he’s hinted at it again, and he has folded like a lawn chair numerous times. But, even if you do trust him and the rest of the GOP to stick up for your rights, its never a bad idea to hedge your bets, which I will show you how to do cheaply in this post.
A brief explanation of buying AR’s. If you have already done this a few times, or know how this works, feel free to skip this paragraph. The only ‘regulated’ part of an AR-15 is the lower receiver, which is the part that bears the serial number. These are hollow pieces of (typically) aluminum that barely even resemble a firearm. This is the part you must have shipped to an FFL. Every other part of the gun you can order on the internet in most states and have sent to your house.
Check your state laws, but if you live in a relatively free state, at least as far as gun rights go, you can get everything BUT the lower receiver sent to your doorstep. This lower receiver is the only thing considered a ‘firearm’ and is what is being sought after to ban or further regulate. Even during a typical ban, parts of the gun, minus the receiver, can still be obtained.
When something like recent events happens, I will often order another lower receiver. Mostly this is just a small ‘middle finger’ pointed at those who would ban me from possessing firearms. As unreliable as Trump often seems to be, he is probably better than what comes next, which means we have as little as a year and a half to get ready.
Complete “milspec” AR15 rifles are closing for $290 to $350 on GB, so serialized complete lowers are down to around $110!
Do it yourself (no serial number) RL556V3 polymer lower kits with jig and drill bits are on sale for $50! About $90 worth of parts turns that into a complete “ghost gun” lower ready for action!
But more importantly, it should be noted that broke police departments nationwide are dumping ammo and guns at below-wholesale prices.
Don’t be too afraid of doughnut eating cops and government goons who are dumping ammo and guns instead of practicing with them. For example, http://recoilgunworks.com
I know a lot of people will understandably argue that “shall not be infringed” means “shall not be infringed”, but since SCOTUS in Heller made provision for some restrictions, it seems to me that a guiding principle should be that any limitation on firearm style, appendages, magazine capacity, etc. should apply equally to all levels of law enforcement (state, local, FBL, the Marshall Service, etc.) as it would to The People. If The People cannot possess a magazine exceeding 15 bullets, neither can the cops. As a practical matter, that would probably stop any such legislation in its tracks, since the Armed Government Workers would object to being similarly limited.
Which of course was the original intent of the 2nd Amendment…the People would have uninfringed access to the small “arms” as the government to serve as a counterweight to that government becoming tyrannical…..Not about hunting or ever personal defense but specifically providing for an equivalent level of firepower in the hands of the People.
Logically I should be able to have nuclear weapons under the 2nd Amendment. Though practically it would be challenging and expensive!
The entire slippery slope of case law on “reasonable” restrictions as noted in Heller….are absurdly unconstitutional….background checks etc, Class III etc. and restrictions on bringing firearms into government buildings or schools are equally unconstitutional as is denying convicted felons their rights to firearms or vote etc. (doesn’t say anything like that in the constitution).
Remember criminals don’t follow laws, the mentally ill do not follow laws….only sheep do.
I don’t remember seeing the word “small” in the 2ndA.
The Second Amendment was not written to allow individual citizens to bear arms against their own government. It related to the need of a well-regulated militia in a nation without a standing army. Slave owner, Patrick Henry, insisted that the right to bear arms be vested in the states rather than the federal government so as not to impinge on the ability to muster armed slave patrols. Both conditions no longer exist, thus rendering the original impetus irrelevant. The most recent Supreme Court ruling settled the matter by declaring the amendment codifies the right of individuals to own firearms. The NRA has successfully thwarted any efforts at reasonable gun regulation, and the genie is out of the bottle to stay.
Thanks for this timely piece.
At the BIG Reno gun show a couple weeks ago I was chatting to a little guy vendor about something he had that caught my eye.
He had one AR for sale, and commented he had sold many dozens for $1200 and many of the buyers were back trying to sell back to him.
His offer is $250.
The show at one time took three huge rooms, estimate to be about two acres in the big casino, and now the one small room in the convention center was not full, and there were very few folks in attendance on a Sunday.
Market saturation for those models? Quite likely.
In my opinion the market may push prices lower when the first contracts are handed out for new Army prototype rifles and squad weapons because the lemmings will clamor for civilian versions and ammo to go with it.
Trump fans tend to ignore a lot of his friendliness with and monetary contributions to Democrats prior to his decision to run for office. Early into his Presidency Trump also had a predilection for appointing military people into his Cabinet which was a throwback salute to his days in NY Military Academy before going to Wharton.
Trump is more liberal than conservative. As part of the privileged Establishment he talks a good game but I have little faith in his intent to protect the 2A rights of commoners from the eminent domain of government when things go critical.
the problem w/trump,and really any successful businessman,is that he’s far more pragmatic than he is principled–if it’s legal to use eminent domain to take a piece of property that’s in the way of your development,use eminent domain–
if it weren’t 4 the fact that they will be abused by big govt anti gunners,some of the ideas make sense so trump is so pragmatic that he jumps on them w/o thinking–
Some thoughts from an outsider looking in.
I don’t think Trump will go after anything critical to the 2nd.
Let’s put on our thinking caps.
What has he attacked?
Bump stocks.
Why them and nothing else of any substance?
My guess is for two reasons – because they represent a tiny niche in the firearms marketplace and do not impact either the purpose of the 2nd or the economics of the civilian firearms industry in any SIGNIFICANT way.
And because, as the supreme court is being gradually stacked with constitution friendly judges, the door is opened for this action to be challenged in court (with the odds of winning being exceptionally good).
And it (and other dumb ass laws) should be challenged and squashed.
It’s short term pain for long term gain.
Hard to look at it from that perspective but as someone who has been in the gun industry for two decades now north of the line you start to see how certain games are played over time.
When you take the 30,000 foot view of the playing field and put some of this into context you can see what the end game likely is.
The 2nd isn’t going anywhere. And I’d put money on the likelihood that by the end of Trump’s 2nd term it will have been strengthened.
I have more thoughts on Red Flag laws too. Maybe I’ll write a piece on it and how they might fit into the broader political landscape should they come to pass.
All that being said – anytime is a good time to buy a new rifle. Or handgun. Or shotgun. Or ammo. You can never have too much ammo…
Learn to reload, too.
…& stockpile components before they get taxed out of reach. Anyone else remember the hazmat shipping bullshit that effectively doubled the cost of powder & primers?
The Constitution isn’t going to save anyone’s ass and Drumpf made it crystal clear on February 28th: guns first, due process later.
He repeated this Sunday with multiple mentions of ERPOs.
Also, “should they come to pass” was years ago. Several states have ERPO laws on the books and people have died.
ERPOs would be a disaster at the Federal level.
Think of them as restraining orders against your guns!
—
Maybe our erstwhile Trump 3D chess experts on TBP can write a few articles expressing their disappointment if, or when, those ERPO laws pass from Trump’s desk into law.
Don’t expect any sympathetic commentary from me bemoaning the situation. I’ll rub it in because it’s only a matter of time before the Idiocracy of Socialism gains a voting majority to force a constitutional crisis.
I was thinking federally but yes. As for the constitution it’s been pissed all over for decades in a variety of ways. But that can change and if it is going to happen it will ultimately happen in the courts. My perspective is that the battlefield is being prepared and that’s where the next big fight will be (in an attempt to keep the fight from spilling to the streets any more than it already has).
I think Trump and his team KNOW exactly how unbalanced the entire western world is (never mind just the US). I think they are not only doing what they can to keep this shit show from blowing to pieces but are also doing what they can to repair some of the damage. As for what Trump ‘says’ I quit worrying about it.
What Trump does is far more important.
Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.
And always keep your eye on the puck.
As long as Trump has a majority in Congress and can leverage the judiciary to keep the socialists at bay a breathing space exists. The puck isn’t my worry, it’s the growing number of people willing to move the net and rig the game off the ice.
So back to the main point … lowers are pretty much spare parts for trading without a good upper and BCG (bolt carrier group). IMO, it’s good to get a certified armorer’s course, tools, and a reloading kit. Anyone can do retail, not everyone is a technician.
If the Army gets the new rifle and ammo approved and into the logistics system you’ll see 5.56mm AR’s get cheaper as long as they’re legal.
I have to agree with Francis Marion. Trump is a “great” negotiator and what is happening is more for us than against us. I was buying and selling firearms before the 1968 Gun Control Act and believe that we have NO recourse, ultimately. However, Donald Trump has come through on all that he is able to accomplish (he is NOT acting as a “dictator” nor should he) and is more of a Constitutional American than anything we have seen from the “playlist” of “Confidence People” we have managed to elect to “rule” us. The real question should be, “how do we make our homes and neighborhoods safe while the “SHTF scenario plays out? That is all we have the chance to control. I have faith in the POTUS as he has NOT failed us with what he is capable of getting done. I was not as concerned about the “bump stock” issue because if we hit the SHTF level of what is happening the issue of making the selector move to the third position on the “lower” will not take that much adjustment. I don’t know if any out there are familiar with a small firearm manufactured by General Motors, I believe, that was put in a box that looked like a “Cracker Jacks” box with instructions on its us, printed on the box. We have come a long way from that time but the concept remains the same should the entire problem go “South”. We are capable of taking more sophisticated weapons from those that would use them against “Freedom Loving” Americans (the “deplorables”, “fly-over folks”, income generating working Americans that buy all the crap that the “Confidence People” (Republicans and Democrats that believe we are their slaves, since some have already stated we give them “their” money). It is “Our Money” and they do not deserve it. Let POTUS do what he does best and understand that we can only take care of OUR NEIGHBORHOOD. That is part of what we must do.
If your post is genuine, that’s great but…
1. Trump is an Israel-first actor, and I mean actor like television actor! 2. The bumpstock ban was a FATAL PRECEDENT in grabbing INDIVIDUAL GUN PARTS, and no, you can’t just tinker with a dremel tool and make semiauto AR15s into full auto. Binary triggers are better than full auto and still run $300+.
You are sittin on the good shit. Wanna share some?
You are the epitome of stupidity and cognitive dissonance. See a doctor, there’s medication that can help.
The old days are over.
The marxtards are coming, not just for your guns, but for any means you may have of protecting yourself. Communist revolution is coming, and most people refuse to face it.
And, just how has the 2sd Amendment prevented the infiltration and usurpation by leftists, of every major institution in the U.S.? How has the 2sd Amendment ensured what used to be our borders? How has the 2sd Amendment ensured that you have the right to be heard via all forms of media, when those who want it gone control the mainstream narrative. How has the 2sd Amendment ensured your right to Freedom of association, when the people who want it gone are busy ensuring that they are the final arbiters of who lives in your neighborhood? It has not. In fact, it is almost a moot point now.
Most people will never use them as intended, in the defense of Freedom, and Sovereignty. Most people are now fat, lazy, corrupt, brainwashed, willfully ignorant, and cowardly. Most people will simply roll over when told to do so, rather than be inconvenienced by having to defend anything.
The “end game”? Sorry, but your view of the “end game”, is unrealistic…
i hope you’re correct but i fear you’re not–
Dude, your article is missing the entire most important point of AR lowers. What you people need to look out for is 80% lowers. There’s no reporting requirement whatsoever. No ATF bullshit about it. It’s totally legal (not that I gave a shit anyway). It doesn’t even have to legally have a serial number. Bet you didn’t know that one did ya. You simply finish the little machining left for it with nothing more than a cheap ass Harbor Freight drill press. Buy and build as many as you want, stick some in the ground and wait for the zombie apocalypse.
Don’t be a slave anymore, get your 80% Lower Receivers today.
https://www.80-lower.com/pages/80-lower-faqs/
One Question: How can anyone buy anything firearm related over the net without the feds knowing who bought the stuff?
An aside: Surveillance Balloons anyone?
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/aug/02/pentagon-balloons-surveillance-midwest
What are conservatives saying about that? Seems like more deep state. The DS is far deeper than most of US know.
SamFox
Non NFA parts that lack serial numbers or Form 4473 aren’t tracked but can be traced through sales records. Non NFA parts are magazines for pistols and rifles, parts like guide rods, springs, buffers, and pins. When SHTF people will be looking for a smith or armorer who has the know-how to puzzle the right pieces together. Modular and interchangeable parts will be more highly valued than exotic specialized brands that need odd parts.
As far as surveillance balloons are concerned I can tell you helium is expensive and they don’t “fly” well when peppered with holes. Oughta know, I serviced and operated them in the Sandbox.
Bullshit, see above!
I bought my 80% lowers all at gun shows. Brick and mortar shops sell them as well. You people are too addicted to plastic. Cash is king!
I can almost guarantee some sort of ban is coming on all sorts of cool shit.
What people don’t understand about the bumpstock ban is the precedent it sets.
Things like binary triggers (which work better than full automatic in my opinion), night vision scopes, thermal scopes, and 50 to 100 round drum magazines give an individual citizen in 2019, the firepower of a WWII rifle squad.
These items and more could all be on the chopping block and you’d left to pursue rebellion with your wife’s 20 gauge.
Best AR product ever:
https://gunprodeals.com/product/franklin-armory-binary-trigger-system
Bestest big-boy AR product ever:
https://www.xproducts.com/product/50-round-sr25-high-capacity-magazine-ar-308-sr-25
Hope you didn’t miss these if they are out of production! I don’t have any extras to spare!