1- Now that California has passed the 50 caliber ban, does that mean that ARM USA will be going out of business??
2- 50 Caliber Ban - What is it?
3- What 50 cals are still available?
4- What is the last day to buy a 50 cal? Can I still purchase a 50 Caliber Rifle?
5- I am serving in the military and will not be back in time to get a 50 before the end of the year, or I will not be back in time to register the one I already own. Are there exceptions for military personnel??
6- Will 50 Caliber Ammunition be Banned?
7- Registration Issues
8- Repairing your 50 cal. after the ban
9- Purchasing 50 BMG receivers as a low cost alternative
10- Can I shoot my 50 caliber rifle on BLM land?
11- Will someone be producing a .499 BMG cartridge or something like it?
12- What does the 50 BMG Registration form look like?

2-AB50 - 50 Caliber Ban
What AB50 did is define a "50 caliber BMG rifle" and added the 50 caliber BMG rifle to existing "Dangerous Weapons Control Laws" so that 50s are now considered "Assault Weapons." What this means is that a BOLT-ACTION rifle, the same type of action your father and uncle use to hunt elk and deer, is now considered an assault weapon (AW). It's just a larger caliber.
It also went further than the 1989 and 1999 Assault Weapons (AW) laws insofaras it defined what a 50 Caliber BMG cartridge is by specifying precise dimensions. Back to Top

3-What 50 cals are still available?
Every day the availability diminishes. Whereas 2 weeks ago we could guarantee you'd get an EDM Arms Windrunner, such is no longer the case. At this point we can still get the Cobb FA 50(T), LAR Grizzly, Ultimate Accuracy AMAC 5100, and EDM Arms Model 96 Windrunner, Model 99 single-shot take-down, Barrett 82A1CAL. The answer can change in no time, so we suggest getting in ASAP if you want to own a 50 cal in California. According to Bonnie at the DOJ, you may puchase a 50 Caliber rifle up through, and including, December 31, 2004, as long as they are still available. Paperwork musst be run no later than 12/31/04. We DO NOT anticipate having any rifles left at the end of the year. Keep in mind we will probably close early for New Year's Eve. Back to Top

 4-What is the last day to buy a 50 cal? Can I still purchase a 50 Caliber Rifle?
According to NAte Barrell at the DOJ, ".50 BMG rifles may be transferred via the DROS process on or before December 31, 2004. Asssuming a customers DROS was initiated on December 31, 2004, he or she may take possession of the firearm up until 30 days from the date of the DROS submission which will no doubt be in January 2005."
So... you may puchase a 50 Caliber rifle up through, and including, December 31, 2004, as long as they are still available. Paperwork must be run no later than 12/31/04. We DO NOT anticipate having any rifles left at the end of the year. Back to Top

 5-I am serving in the military and will not be back in time to get a 50 before the end of the year, or I will not be back in time to register the one I already own. Are there exceptions for military personnel??
I am sorry to say that while you are over there fighting for our freedoms, stupid legislators in this state are taking YOURS away. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions for military personnel abroad. If you do not already own a 50 cal, you will NOT be able to purchase one after December 31, 2004.
When I posed that question to the DOJ, I received this response: "Any person who lawfully possesses a .50 BMG rifle on or before December 31, 2004 or completes the DROS process for a .50 BMG rifle onor before December 31, 2004 and maintains a valid CA Drivers License/ ID may complete a .50 BMG registration viamail regardless of where they are during the January 2005 - April 2006 registration period. "
So, if you own a 50 caliber rifle that is here in CA, please be sure to have a family member or a friend obvtain the registration form for you from the DOJ. You will have to mail the form in yourself. One glitch may be that you might not be able to obtain the required fingerprints depending on where you are stationed. Remember to register it by April 30, 2006. Back to Top

6-Will 50 Caliber Ammunition be Banned?
Early revisions of AB50 including prohibitions agains the sale, purchase and possession of 50 BMG cartridges (see http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/03-http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/03-04/bill/asm/ab_0001-0050/ab_50_bill_20030602_amended_asm.html, specifically 12020. (a)(34) thru 12020. (a)(36) ). However, revisions were made to AB50 along the way which eliminated those prohibitions. For the complete listing of AB50 revisions, see: http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/03-04/bill/asm/ab_0001- and SEARCH for AB50, Author Koretz, in the 2003-2004 session.
So, as it sits, "Assembly Bill 50 does not place any restrictions, limitations, etc. on the purchase of, possession of, etc. .50 BMG ammunition."
Beware of unscruplulous dealers trying to create a 50 cal ammo buying frenzy. The ammo has NOT been banned (YET-keep an eye out next year). Back to Top  

Joint Registration
Also, you may jointly register a 50 BMG rifle, provided you live in the same household. So, if your son or daughter is 18 and lives with you, you may BOTH fill out the AW reg. app. with same the rifle info, and send them both in, BOTH the required fee. Same goes for husband-wife, brothers, etc, as the form specifies "family members." It is important to double check with the DOJ if you have any questions about your specific situation.

Time Limit for Registration
You must register a 50 BMG rifle no later than April 30, 2006. There is no grace period for registration. If you attempt to register an assault weapon after April 30, 2006, you WILL be visited by MIB and your rifle will be confiscated. We recommend you get your registration in EARLY - DO NOT PROCRASTINATE.

Where can I get a Registration Form?
Registration forms should be available from your local FFL by next week at the lates. They are available directly from the CA Department of Justice, however, the DOJ prefers to have you pick them up from a dealer. If you do not have a dealer close by or your dealer is out of them, you may contact the DOJ at (916)263-4887. They are NOT be available online. We have placed .jpgs of the registration form below, but to the best of our knowledge, you must obtain an original DOJ issued form for registration. The pictures below are shown FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY so you will know what information is required. Please note that the form does NOT ask for barrel length, or whether you received a complete rifle or simply a receiver. Only provide information on the form which is specifically requested. Failure to complete forms correclty may result in delay or denial of your registration. Always send your forms in via Certified Mail with Signature required so you can guarantee receipt. Also, we urge you to make copies before sending them in. Back to Top

11-Will someone be producing a .499 BMG cartridge or something like it?
Well, this IS America, isn't it? Yes! Plans are already in the works for chambering some large caliber rifles in a caliber that has already been in use in Europe for about 5 years. It's the .510 DTC Europ. It is 100/1000ths shorter and has a steeper shoulder angle than the 50 BMG cartridge. A couple of prototypes should be ready as early as January.

12-What does the 50 BMG Registration form look like?
We have scanned the form and posted it below. Keep in mind that the registration form that you complete and send to the DOJ MUST BE AN ORIGINAL! This form is posted for reference ONLY. (See bottom of page.)

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