ATF Form 1 AOW Approval for MD Residents

[MD Shooter Envy]

After some research it's still a bit confusing.
I am considering doing a Form 1 for an AOW on an AR pistol. Barrel is 8", OAL is 22.5". No brace or stock, just the buffer tube with foam cover. But would maybe like to have a VFG.
1) Is ATF approving such AOW's for Maryland residents? Always a bit murky in this state.
2) If I did it this way, does the VFG have to stay on it at all times? If I removed it, then what?
3) If I didn't do a VFG or Form 1 and just put a small handstop or angled fore grip on it, it's completely still legal as a handgun in Maryland, no AOW/Form 1, correct?
4) If it does get a Form 1, can I rotate between buffer tube and a brace and still be a AOW since it's under 26" OAL?

Thanks all

 

[jrumann59]

ATF AOW definition only applies to smooth bore

The term "any other weapon" means any weapon or device capable of being concealed on the person from which a shot can be discharged through the energy of an explosive, a pistol or revolver having a barrel with a smooth bore designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell, weapons with combination shotgun and rifle barrels 12 inches or more, less than 18 inches in length, from which only a single discharge can be made from either barrel without manual reloading, and shall include any such weapon which may be readily restored to fire. Such term shall not include a pistol or a revolver having a rifled bore, or rifled bores, or weapons designed, made, or intended to be fired from the shoulder and not capable of firing fixed ammunition.

 

[JRisBundyboyz]

Yeah the loopholes are tightening up. The only way I see to get around it is registering as PMF which means you need to own a 80% lower and complete it.

My understanding is the brace SBR débâcle doesn’t apply to Privately made firearms.

 

[MD Shooter Envy]

ATF AOW definition only applies to smooth bore

The term "any other weapon" means any weapon or device capable of being concealed on the person from which a shot can be discharged through the energy of an explosive, a pistol or revolver having a barrel with a smooth bore designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell, weapons with combination shotgun and rifle barrels 12 inches or more, less than 18 inches in length, from which only a single discharge can be made from either barrel without manual reloading, and shall include any such weapon which may be readily restored to fire. Such term shall not include a pistol or a revolver having a rifled bore, or rifled bores, or weapons designed, made, or intended to be fired from the shoulder and not capable of firing fixed ammunition.

Thanks. I understand that definition, ....but...the ATF defines a pistol as ‘designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand’. So, if you were to add a vertical fore grip to a pistol, legally it is no longer a pistol*. It’s an AOW because it is now designed to be fired with two hands.

I have read many an online article about folks getting their Form 1 AOW due to the vertical foregrip. And they mention AR pistol, so wouldn't that lead me to believe it's a rifled bore?

Guess I am safe with just a small handstop. Not looking to drop $200 if not needed.
Thanks again.

 

[Sticky]

No, what you have probably heard in the past is that some create weapons that fall into the 'firearm' classification by adding a FWG to a pistol configuration that meets a minimum oal. IIRC, you cannot add a VFG to an AR pistol unless it is 26" oal and once you do, it becomes a 'firearm', not a pistol or rifle. You create an NFA item if you do add it to a less than 26" pistol I believe. I'm pretty sure that makes it an SBR, stock or not.

ETA - I have no idea how the new pistol brace ruling affects that if you have a brace attached to it... I honestly don't freaking care either.

 

[jrumann59]

Thanks. I understand that definition, ....but...the ATF defines a pistol as ‘designed to be held and fired by the use of a single hand’. So, if you were to add a vertical fore grip to a pistol, legally it is no longer a pistol*. It’s an AOW because it is now designed to be fired with two hands.

I have read many an online article about folks getting their Form 1 AOW due to the vertical foregrip. And they mention AR pistol, so wouldn't that lead me to believe it's a rifled bore?

Guess I am safe with just a small handstop. Not looking to drop $200 if not needed.
Thanks again.

After further research you are correct and I stand corrected

https://www.atf.gov/file/97256/download