Originally posted by StageII86
Okay,
If you want to LEGALLY own a SEMI-auto (1 pull of the trigger yields 1 shot) M4 carbine, you can with NO red tape. You need to acquire a PRE-BAN (Pre-Sept. '94) AR-15 lower reciever (~$1000). This is a lower reciever that was registered as a FIREARM BEFORE Sept. '94. You can then purchase a 16"-barreled M4 upper reciever assembly (or 14.5" w/ a permanently attached flash-hider to make it 16" total) (~$700) and the M4 collapsible stock ($100), and VIOLA! a LEGAL SEMI-auto M4. Total investment is approx. $1800.
IF YOU PUT PRE-BAN PARTS ON A POST-BAN LOWER RECIEVER, YOU ARE IN VIOLATION OF sec. 922(r). Pre-ban and post-ban lowers are identifiable by SN#. Call the mfg. to be sure of when it was made and when it was registered as a firearm. There are online SN# databases posted online if you search that distinguish pre/post ban.
Typically, people buy a complete pre-ban rifle ($1200-$1500) and part out the existing upper reciever and stock set for around $300 and are left with a pre-ban lower platform for their M4 project for around $900-$1200 depending on manufacturer of the lower (Colt, Bushmaster, DPMS, Eagle, Olympic, etc...). Most companies claim that their lowers are mil-spec. They are pretty much all good as long as they are forged. Add all mil-spec internals (SEMI-auto, remember) and add mil-spec upper components and you have a very high-quality rifle exactly like our boys fighting in the Middle East carry except yours will be semi-auto only.
Now, for FULL-auto (holding the trigger down for sustained fire) ownership, you need to go to the ATF, obtain a FORM 4, fill it out, turn it in, acquire a written letter from the head of local law-enforcement permitting you to own the registered NFA item, and last find a REGISTERED pre-'86 TRANSFERABLE full-auto M16 (AR15) complete weapon, lower reciever, or auto-sear (~$4500-$10,000) from a Class III dealer. Then you wait three months to one year to take delivery of the new NFA item and as mentioned earlier give the ATF written permission to enter your premises whenever they want for inspection of the item.
CHECK LOCAL STATE LAWS FIRST!
DO NOT BREAK THE LAW. IT IS NOT WORTH IT. THEY ARE SERIOUS ABOUT THIS CRAP. $10k fine AND you do time.
See section 922(r) of the '94 crime bill.
BTW, this all may change in '04 making above said semi-auto rifle easier and cheaper to obtain.