I’m a civi looking to buy an AR and one of my potentials is a Colt LE6920. I’m concerned however with the
“Restricted for Military/Government Law Enforcement Use Only”
markings that these guns come with. In particular in the event that another AWB comes down the pipe - I’m wondering how this rifle would be viewed, say 4-5 years into another AWB, and if I’d have a problem owning this rifle vs a rifle without these markings.
Any thoughts or advice on this?
thx
Not to worry, those markings mean nothing.
They were put on there by Colt and they have no legal weight whatsoever.
During the last ban Colt did not want their AR-15s sold to civilians and put
that crap on there in an attempt to avoid any liability should the guns be
sold to civilians.
It’s the same as if you put those exact markings on the bumper of your car.
Absolutely meaningless.
I just bought a new 6920 and I AM impressed. Excellent fit and finish throughout.
In fact it’s the first AR-15 that I didn’t have to adjust the windage all the way over
to one side.
Straight out of the box and without any sight adjustment at all, I fired 10 rounds(XM-193) at 100yds and hit the
target dead center. Try that with a Bushmaster?
The Colt 6920 is one perfect weapon.
The LE/Gov/Export only markings were stamped during the Crime Bill years to allow sales of weapons with “evil features” to legally qualified entities, such as LE, assorted govt agencies, and export sales.
They most certainly did have “legal weight” during those years. Individuals were prosecuted for having restricted weapons when they were not qualified. A deputy sheriff nearby was prosecuted and convicted for furnishing restricted marked mags to unqualified people.
As for “what if” questions, your guess is as good as mine. IF there was another ban enacted, I suspect similarly worded markings would be placed upon similarly “evil” weapons to allow sales to LE and Govt. Whether there is a change in the stamping, or perhaps a “ban date” placed on them, I have no idea, but I really doubt anyone in a position (with desire) to enact another ban would give a rat’s behind about someone being allowed to keep their “marked” weapon.
That’s my concern. So do you think that is something to think about when purchasing a rifle now?
Something to think about? Sure.
Would I lose too much sleep over it? I wouldn’t, but I’m also LEO. If I wasn’t, I might, personally. Most probably wouldn’t, though.
Colt still marks their LE guns as such. It’s nothing to worry about.
The markings were meaningless during the AWB too. For example, a person could buy a stripped LE marked lower and build it into a post ban config an not had a problem.
No part of the AWB addressed any marking on the receiver.
http://www.nraila.org/Issues/FactSheets/Read.aspx?ID=80
President Clinton signed the 1994 federal Crime Bill into law on Sept. 13, 1994, including the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994, which made it a federal crime for a private individual to possess or transfer (sell, give, etc.) a “semiautomatic assault weapon” (AW) manufactured after that date. [18 U.S.C. 922(v)]. AWs manufactured on or before that date, and legally within the U.S., are “grandfathered” (not banned). Government agencies and their agents (the military, police departments, etc.) are exempt from the law. The law requires that AWs manufactured after Sept. 13, 1994 be stamped with their date of manufacture. Regulations require that AWs made after that date be stamped “Restricted Law Enforcement/ Government Use Only.” These provisions are scheduled to expire on Sept. 13, 2004.
Thank You deercop,
I was not aware the markings originated with the law.
I thought it was something Colt dreamed up.
Thanks.
For the “restricted” tag only… buy an LMT
I think because of the old text used and since repealed, any new ban requiring such markings would/should be different so as to tell any difference.
Put a square of 100MPH tape over marking.
Write name on tape.
Problem solved.
I had a conversation about this very subject today with my usual gun pusher. They happened to get a large stack of various model Colts in today and called me. This is a large shop, but the owner always comes to talk when Im there.
I was molesting some 6920s, and trying to pick one, when I said I wished that Colt would step up their finish, and stop putting that restriction on their lowers. His response was, he hopes that they never quit. He told me that he is convinced the the majority of buyers choose ARs that have the restriction BS on them, no matter which maker. Its a money maker and deal closer.
Its a given that all my Colts wear that label, but I also have one LMT that has it as well. I bought it in spite of the fact, and found out later that LMT actually charges extra for the restricted lowers. They sell more restricted lowers at the higher price than they do the plain marked.
I’ve had several LEO’s shoot my weapons, and some have even joked about having to confiscate them just because… Most officers you will encounter know it has no real meaning. If you ever run into one that thinks you have something that really is not allowed, and thinks he knows a charge that applies, just ask to talk to his supervisor. He will probably be better able to explain it to him. It will probably be a rare, or non-existent, occasion. The only real downside, is that one in a million, that knows you’ll beat the rap, but just wants to make you take the ride. If thats the case, he doesn’t need for you to have AR to do it.
The original question ISN’T about whether they are legal TODAY, there’s no doubt the restricted markings mean squat at present (for most of the US anyway). The question IS about whether they’ll have any affect IF another ban is passed in the FUTURE.
Again. There is nothing stopping you from covering the markings.
Sorry deercop. I’ll try to be more FUTURE specific.
“Restricted for Military Government/LE use only”
…“This time we really mean it!”…
If the serial number is registered with the BATF prior to, and grandfathered in, no matter what any one stamps on the gun, it would still be exempt. Just the same as using after market 30 rounders in pre-ban rifles, after the ban went into effect. You could use them all day long, as long as the serial number on the gun was prior to the ban. Since there is no CURRENT legal restrictions, that supports or requires the manufacturer to use a restriction stamp, it is tantamount to a skull sticker for looks only. It means nothing now, and never will, as long as current guns are grandfathered in. If not, the gun might be illegal, but not because of the stamp.
Hey,
Where do you live?
Here in NY, I was told by FFLs, LEOs, etc. that I couldn’t have a lower that said “restricted.”
I worked something else out with a different Colt lower for my 6920.
Maybe they were all wrong…but I didn’t go “restricted” 'cause apparently, the people who can hurt you do care if you’ve got one!
It’s a pain in the butt…but it is what it is.
YMMV.
New York state has its own unique weapons ban. Its not Fed.
Its a long read.
http://www.ocshooters.com/Reports/awb/NY-AWB-S8234.html
Shake the crystal ball and look deeply into it.
That’ll give you just as much legitimate advice as what you’re going to get on the internet…
I don’t mean that as a slight, it’s just that there’s no way any of us can know what a future law might do or not do.
There are a shit ton of civillians out there with AR’s that have gov’t only markings, I have two of them myself.
I don’t loose any sleep of it what so ever, I have enough other things to keep up at night about.
Buy it and enjoy it.
I think this a valid concern. The federal government can do anything they want (when run by self serving politically correct jerkoffs) and a “ban” on “military style assault weapons” including those already owned by an individual that contain the phrase “Restricted - Government/ Law Enforcement Only” is not out of the realm of possibilities.
I am not saying that it is likely, but something along these lines is likely to be attempted if we have a liberal president and congress.
I say get a few receivers without the RESTRICTED markings, as someone esle may have already pointed out.
GEEZER
You can always fill the marking with black crayons. You’d have the dopest 6920 on the block yo.