1. That number’s likely somewhat higher due to the number of homebuilt ‘80%’ lower receivers (frames) – self-built & not tracked and no FFL entry or mfgr logbook entry. [Some states, like CA, required these ‘FMBUS’ firearms – “Firearm Mfgd by Unlicensed Subject” – to be registered around ~7-8 yrs ago.]

Many folks built up a bunch of these ‘just for fun’/’just in case’ – even if they had factory-mfg ARs purchased already. These receivers may or may not have transitioned into fully-assembled rifles (or pistols) or were ‘built up lowers’ with trigger groups waiting for new uppers, etc. [An AR ‘upper’ is the barreled upper action – barrel, bolt + carrier, upper receiver, gas tube, sights, gas lock etc. and is not a serialized nor a controlled entity.]

2. Broad colloquial ‘AR15’ term includes a lot of other guns that may have wildly different make/model designation – which may have slipped thru analyses & not be recognized as a member of that category.

Depending on who’s scanning a list, would “Ameetec Arms” trigger recognition as an AR gun?

[Conversely, some guns in cal 223/5.56 with unrecognized brands/models may have been incorrectly categorized as ARs even though they’re a completely different architecture or bolt gun etc.]

3. When is an AR not an AR (or vice versa)?
Many externally similar-to-AR appearance guns stray from the Stoner pattern:
– 22LR or other rimfire cal. ARs with vastly different internals and lightweight materials, although overall appearance maintained;
– rifles/pistols using a piston system instead of traditional Stoner AR15/M16 direct impingement gas system;
– a buncha guns from Sig, for example, that are substantively different, but fit in the overall “AR theme” – and which are sold into that marketing slot – and use AR mags and have similar form factor, some shared accessories, etc.e
– large-caliber ARs like the AR10 in 308/7.62×51 – which are physically much larger & heavier than traditional 5.56/223 ARs;
– special ‘deviant’ products like the FightLight carbine – uses an AR upper & AR mags, but has a proprieetary specially-designed lower receiver to fit a conventional Remington shotgun stock with no pistol grip, using a special buffer and custom fire control components. This allows a completely ‘normal rifle’ look for stock and grip mechanism.

Bill Wiese
San Jose CA

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