What to expect when the AWB sunsets
 

So a friend of mine and I were talking and theorizing what will happen when the AWB sunsets in just over 5 months with respect to pre and post ban weapons.

After the AWB sunsets, is anyone really going to be monitoring to make sure post ban weapons aren't modified with pre-ban parts. Things like, will someone be checking the stock on your post-ban AR-15 to make sure it's not a telescoping stock?

How will they know if it was sold post ban or post sunset? What do you all think will happen with this?

IMO:

The 94 ban described what makes an "assault weapon." If the ban sunsets, "assault weapons" will be be legal again so it would not matter if you modified a gun made between 94-04.

Exactly.

When a law "sunsets" it's like there was no law.

BUT!

I've heard that the BATF is interpreting things to mean that there is still a "Post ban" configuration that can't be modded with "Pre-ban" features, which of course makes no sense since the law sunsets.

It could very well take an arrest somewhere and a legal challenge to get things sorted out.

After the ban sunsets... magazines that have "law enforcement only" on them will be legal... you are correct to say that when the law sunsets "there will be no law" nothing on the books will be able to be used against you.. at least in federal court.

I'm also curious to see what impact the sunset might have on prices of "pre-ban" guns and parts in the secondary market

Pre ban guns would once again be cheaper than those made recently, since they are older and the only thing they had going for them was that they could be legally modified.

I think after (hopefully) the ban sunsets, we will see a short buying spree as people snatch up new toys at somewhat inflated prices out of fear that a new AWB ban will be voted in next year.

Provided that a new ban doesn't go into effect, prices will drop slightly as the market will be flooded by new products with fewer people who need them since they have already stocked up.

I am willing to bet that the quality magazines and weapons will not hit the shelves right away....those companies are probably waiting for the ban to expire before they start making stuff again. Instead, there will be lots of cheap (USA) magazines and such that are absolutely worthless.

Of course, we will never see 60 dollar sks's again....

So let me get this straight... I already own an Olympic Arms AR (post ban) with a long barrel and a non-collapsible stock. After the ban lifts I can legally make it a collapsible stock / 11.5" barrel? And then even if they reinstate the ban in 2005... all the previous post ban rifles (mine) become prebans?

Well, here in CA, all of the AWB law is also part of state law, plus about a million other restrictions. The AWB sunsetting will mean little to us CA'ers.

Anyway, I am betting that some form of the AWB makes it to Bush's desk. I just can't see those in power allowing the peasents to have bigger, better, faster guns.

It won't make a difference for those of us living in MA. We're totally fucked already...

That's just it... it won't give the peasants anything they can't get already. It's already perfectly legal to purchase a pre-ban collapsible stock rifle with a flash hider and a bayonet lug. It's just not legal for Colt (or whoever) to manufacture them. But whatever is already in circulation is perfectly legal. So all it does is change the ability to manufacture "more". Which if I get it right... will help the economy? Win win.

my uncle cant wait for it to sunset... hes got a whole list of things to buy... high capacity mags.... supressors... etc... at reasonable prices...

Just FYI,

I think your uncle is thinking of flash hiders.

A suppressor is regulated under the Firearms Act of 1934 and requires an FBI background check as well as a $200 tax stamp ON TOP of the cost of the suppressor to own.

Yeah, and most suppressors aren't cheep. Unless you consider $600 - $800 + tax stamp cheep.

11.5 inch barrel makes it a short barrel rifle, and subject to NFA'34. Go with a 16" and you will be fine.

I expect to own alot more guns. ;)