Can I Build an AR-15 in Oregon?
Woody's answers are based on published federal and state law. Not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney for your specific situation.
Yes, you can build an AR-15 in Oregon. The state allows home builds with proper compliance to federal laws and Oregon's specific regulations on features and magazine capacity.
What This Means for You
Oregon permits AR-15 home builds but requires attention to the state's assault weapon feature restrictions and magazine capacity limits. You'll need to ensure your build complies with both federal regulations on receivers and Oregon's specific feature-based restrictions that took effect in recent years.
The Detail
Building an AR-15 in Oregon follows federal guidelines for home manufacturing while navigating the state's feature-based restrictions. You can manufacture a rifle for personal use without an FFL, but the completed firearm must comply with Oregon's assault weapon regulations that restrict certain combinations of features.
Oregon law generally prohibits magazines over 10 rounds, which affects your build planning since standard AR-15 magazines typically hold 30 rounds. You'll need to source compliant magazines or modify existing ones to meet the capacity restriction. The state's assault weapon law focuses on feature combinations rather than banning AR-15 platforms outright.
When building your lower receiver, you're manufacturing a firearm under federal law, so standard rules apply about not building for sale without proper licensing. Oregon doesn't require registration of home-built firearms, but you should maintain records of your build including when it was completed. Serial numbers aren't federally required for personal builds but can be added voluntarily.
Feature restrictions in Oregon typically involve combinations of elements like detachable magazines with pistol grips, telescoping stocks, or flash hiders. The specific interpretation of these features can be complex, so you'll want to research the current state regulations thoroughly before finalizing your build configuration to ensure compliance.
Build Impact
Your Oregon AR-15 build will need careful attention to magazine capacity and feature combinations to stay compliant with state law. Plan your parts selection around these restrictions rather than trying to modify a standard configuration after assembly.