PRE-BAN RULE

gundummy

This subject probably came up a few times before, but I am still confused because answers are different everywhere I check.If I had a preban mini 14, can I legally put a folding stock on it. I live in Washington and almost everyone here tells me that it's okay, however, I've read some previous posts here and other sites that said that gun must have had folding stock prior to ban. Can someone provide a "matter of fact" answer to this? I am sure I am not the only one interested here, so please refrain from "I think", "I heard", "I believe", etc., I am just trying to get down to the bottom of this. Thanks again, GD

AntiqueDr

In its out-of-the-box configuration, the Mini-14 does not meet the criteria of an assault rifle, so "pre-ban" and "post-ban" are somewhat meaningless.The only way that a Ruger Mini-14 can actually be a "pre-ban" is if it were either a factory GB series or another Mini-14 that had been modified with the folding stock, etc, prior to 9/13/94. Regardless of when the rifle was made, it is technically illegal to put the folding stock on there now UNLESS it had a folding stock attached prior to 9/13/94. To put a folding stock on a rifle that was in its original factory configuration until after 9/13/94 would be, in essence, creating an assault rifle after the ban.Having said all that, the burden remains on the authorities to prove when the stock was attached... sometimes they can, sometimes they cant.

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JudgeColt

Each time I see someone wanting a "pre-ban" Mini-14, I assume they are confused as you are. If I see the question, I respond as has the Doctor. The Doctor is absolutely correct in the statement made. Unless a Mini is a factory GB, or was modified with "assault weapon features" before 9-13-94, only one of the forbidden feature can be added now. A folding stock of the common type counts as two features because it contains two of the forbidden features: a "consipciously protruding" pistol grip, and a folding stock. Such a folding stock therefore cannot now be added to any non-GB Mini, unless it had two of the forbidden features before 9-13-94. While the burden of proof is on the prosecution to prove a crime was committed, just think of how much it would cost you to defend any such charge. The cost of a defense would make the cost of a factory GB seem cheap. There are often GBs on the action site. Spend a little of the money you would spend on a defense on the difference between a standard and GB Mini and be happy.

kaboom

Listen to J-C, he speaketh wisdom. If it's questionable or even "technically" illegal, don't do it. I have had considerable experience with BATF personnel, and believe me, if they can give you grief for any reason they usually will. They weren't quite that bad before Clinton's time, but the attitude adjustment was very noticeable after he got in office. I turned in my FFL and closed up my little shop rather than put up with the BS. Of course that was the whole point of the harassment anyway.

boeboe

AntiqueDr and JudgeColt are absolutley correct. Do not believe anyone telling you otherwise. Here is a good site for ATF rulings on such questions. http://www-2.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs.cmu.edu/user/wbardwel/public/nfalist/law.html There is one other point that you should consider, it is legal to alter the configurqation of an assault firearm manufactured before 9/13/94. That is to say, if it had two assault features already (for example, bayonet lug and flash hider) it is legal to add a folding stock to it. The reason being is, it is already an assault firarm and can't legally be made any more an assault firarm than it is. So it would be legal to take a Ruger GB with bayonet lug, flash supressor, and fixed stock, and then add a folding stock to it.That is to say, the firearm didn't HAVE to have a folding stock prior to the ban to legally accept one now. It just HAD to be configured as an assault firearm.[This message has been edited by boeboe (edited 12-02-2001).]

gundummy

Thanks guys,Guess I'll be looking for a GB. Although it sounds like I could get a standard model that already had a folding stock that previous owner says he installed ten years ago right? Would be hard to prove if he did it 10 years ago or last night though. As far as post ban and pre ban, I think it makes a big difference to me because previous owner would be lying if he said he put folder on before 9/13/94 if serial # is over ~1863### or so, there would be no questions. For me though, it's gonna be a GB. Not worth the hassle. Thanks GD

boeboe

There is a lot of confusion about serial numbers as well. The serial numbers on the ranch rifles prefix is higher than the standard model. There use to be a good list of serial numbers for the different models at a site called mini14world.com but that site has not been functioning for a while. I do know the numbers for pre-94 manufacture Mini14s goes pretty high up in the 189- prefix for ranch rifles. Don't let people tell you that anything with serial numbers abouve the 185 prefix were made after the ban, because many 189 ranch rifles were made prior to 9/13/94.I hope whoever is over mini14world.com gets it up and running again, it was a great site for mini owners.

gundummy

Boeboe,That's very true about the ranch model. I know someone with a 187 prefix that was confirmed by Ruger to be made prior to the ban. The ones I was talking about was the standard models with a cut off serial number around 1863###. After this ban sunsets, if it does, I wonder if the prices for these guns and evil accesories will drop from the over-inflated prices they are at now? Yoy know, like the factory folders, high cap mags, etc. Can't believe how high prices are for items like those. Boy I wish I was into guns 10 years ago. GD