Can I Build an AR-15 in District of Columbia?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
No, you cannot legally build an AR-15 in the District of Columbia. DC prohibits possession, sale, and manufacture of assault weapons, which includes AR-15 pattern rifles.
What This Means for You
DC has some of the strictest gun laws in the nation, with comprehensive bans on commonly owned semi-automatic rifles. The district's assault weapon prohibition covers both completed firearms and the act of building them. Even if you could legally possess the individual components, assembling them into a prohibited configuration would violate local law.
The Detail
The District of Columbia maintains a broad prohibition on assault weapons that encompasses AR-15 pattern rifles regardless of how they are acquired or assembled. This means that building an AR-15 from parts, completing an 80% lower receiver, or assembling from a kit all fall under the same legal restrictions as purchasing a complete rifle.
DC's firearms laws generally focus on the final configuration of the weapon rather than the method of acquisition. The district does not recognize exceptions for home-built firearms when those firearms would otherwise be prohibited. Additionally, DC requires registration for all firearms, and you cannot register something that is prohibited from possession.
The legal framework in DC also addresses manufacturing activities within the district. Home building of firearms could potentially be viewed as unlicensed manufacturing under both federal and local regulations. Federal law requires proper licensing for manufacturing firearms as a business, while DC's local ordinances add additional restrictions on what types of firearms can exist within the district boundaries.
Transportation of components could also present legal challenges. Even if individual parts might be legal in neighboring jurisdictions, bringing them into DC with the intent to assemble a prohibited weapon could create legal exposure under various conspiracy or attempt statutes.
Build Impact
If you are interested in AR-15 ownership or building, you would need to relocate to a jurisdiction with more permissive firearms laws. DC residents should verify current regulations with the Metropolitan Police Department or consult with a local attorney specializing in firearms law before making any decisions regarding firearm ownership.