LAS VEGAS, NV -(Ammoland.com)- On Monday, August 29th, 2022, Polymer80 announced it would sell unserialized 80% pistol frames again.
Polymer80 was at the center of controversy as the Biden administration took aim at privately manufactured firearms (PMF). The number one maker of unfinished pistol frames in the world stopped selling its products after the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) final rule surrounding what the Biden administration calls “ghost guns” went into effect on August 24th, 2022.
When Biden announced the ATF’s new rule redefining firearms, he held up a Polymer80 kit and demonized the popular products. Many view the new rule as an attempt to put the company out of business.
Polymer80 will no longer sell the complete unserialized kits to try to comply with what it calls the new “unconstitutional” rule. Before the ATF’s new rule, Polymer80 sold kits with an unserialized 80% frame, a jig, drill bits, rear rails, pins, and a locking block. After the rule went into effect, those kits are now considered firearms. It would be illegal to sell the kits without the frame being serialized and the buyer filling out a federal background check form (ATF Form 4473). Those style kits must also now be shipped to a federal firearms licensee (FFL) to complete the transfer.
Instead: Polymer80 will have three (3) build-you-own gun-kits options for buyers.
The first option would be for the buyer to purchase the unserialized 80% frame, pins, rails, and locking block without the jig or drill bits. The drill bits can be purchased at any hardware store. There are plenty of jigs floating around the community that a builder could get their hands on, or the buyer could simply print their jig using a cheap 3D printer. Online retailers place Ender 3 printers for sale for $199 and less at various times throughout the year.
The second option is for buyers to purchase the classic kit with one big exception. The frame will be serialized. The gun owner will need to have the kit sent to an FFL and pass a background check to complete the transfer. The paperwork might turn off some buyers who see this as defeating the purpose of buying a Polymer80. Others still like the challenge of building a firearm from an unfinished frame, and except for the widely available lower parts kit, this kit has everything a builder needs to complete the frame.
The third option is what Polymer80 calls a “Build Back Better” kit. The kit’s name is a shot at President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan. This kit has everything a builder needs to produce a working firearm. This option gives the user everything in the serialized kit, but it also includes a slide assembly and an upper parts kit.
Most companies will not sell unserialized frames because it is a legal gray area. Several companies that AmmoLand News spoke to said they do not plan on returning the product to their lineup on the advice of their counsel.
Polymer80 seems sure that it can legally sell the frames. The Polymer80 announcement will test the waters and maybe clarify some of the rule’s ambiguity.
About John Crump
John is a NRA instructor and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed people of all walks of life, and on the Constitution. John lives in Northern Virginia with his wife and sons and can be followed on Twitter at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
Good for Polymer 80!
Up yours, Biden and the BATFE!
“what it calls the new “unconstitutional” rule” You put unconstitutional in quotes? Like duh John. It is EXACTLY that. I’m having issues trying to figure out what NEXUS binds us to specifically perform for the ATF? What agreement did I make with them? What license did I get? How do they GAIN jurisdiction over any of us without a NEXUS? I understand the nexus for the FAA. I have a plane, I have a license, that gives them jurisdiction. I understand the nexus for the FCC. I have a license I have to abide by their rules because I have… Read more »
My late father once opined “If you packaged it properly, advertised it and promoted it correctly, you could sell the average dumb American a package of Horse Sh*t.” Ladies and Gentlemen…I give you Joe Biden.
See all this is a perfect example of what I was talking about in several other articles on the same topic of frames and receivers rule change. It is proof there is no WE THE PEOPLE or no Militia. if there were, this would have never happened, and what a perfect time for WE THE PEOPLE to have made a stand and nothing happened. there were not even enough comments made during the comment part to the AFT Rule making process, or what ever it was called but you know what I mean. Where was he 2a and pro gun… Read more »
Hope ya all stocked up on the 80 % kits with the bits and jig FJB and the ATF .
P80 is radioactive right now. I’d hang back and see how things shake out. Unless you don’t mind the serial and FFL transfer; in that case I’m sure they could use the business. In any case, the product is still top shelf, but I”m going to wait a bit to see what else Pedo Peter has in store for them.