Reader question, asked November 2025
Short answer: It depends on how far along the frame is and how it’s sold. If it can be readily finished into a working frame, especially when it’s sold with a jig or instructions, federal law treats it as a firearm. That means a serial number, an FFL and a background check.
The details
- ATF’s 2022 frame-or-receiver rule covers partial frames that can be “readily” completed. The Supreme Court upheld the rule in general in Bondi v. VanDerStok (2025).
- In August 2026 a federal judge in Texas ruled parts of the rule unconstitutional. That ruling only protects the plaintiffs (including SAF members) and only for specific products. It didn’t strike down the rule nationwide.
- ATF has said it’s drafting a revised rule, so this area is still changing.
- Several states, including California, New York and New Jersey, have their own strict laws on unfinished frames.
- Check current ATF guidance and your state’s law before you buy.
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