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- Treat every gun as loaded
- Point the muzzle in a safe direction
- Keep your finger off the trigger until you’re ready to shoot
- Know your target and what’s beyond
The good news: AR-15s are legal in all 50 states. The bad news: a handful of states make ownership so complicated with feature restrictions, registration requirements, and magazine limits that the rifle you can legally own barely resembles a standard AR-15.
I’ve navigated the legal landscape in multiple states and helped friends configure compliant rifles. The rules are confusing, frequently challenged in court, and change regularly. Here’s where things stand in 2026.
States With No AR-15 Restrictions
The majority of states have no specific restrictions on AR-15 ownership beyond standard federal requirements (background check, minimum age, not a prohibited person). In these states, you can buy, build, own, and configure an AR-15 however you want with standard-capacity magazines and all standard features.
These states include: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon (with mag restrictions), Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Even in these “free” states, local municipalities may have additional restrictions. Always check your city and county ordinances. Some cities within otherwise gun-friendly states have their own assault weapon bans or feature restrictions. Our gun laws by state guide covers state-level regulations in detail.
States With Assault Weapon Bans
Several states have “assault weapon” bans that restrict AR-15s with certain features. These bans don’t technically ban the AR-15 by name (usually). Instead, they ban combinations of features like pistol grips, adjustable stocks, flash hiders, and threaded barrels. Remove or modify the restricted features, and the rifle becomes legal.
| State | Ban Type | Magazine Limit | Workarounds |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | Feature ban + registration | 10 rounds | Featureless or fixed-mag |
| Connecticut | Named ban + feature ban | 10 rounds | Pre-ban registered, featureless |
| Delaware | Feature ban (2022) | 17 rounds | Featureless |
| Hawaii | Assault pistol ban + permits | 10 rounds | Permit required, limited |
| Illinois | Feature ban (2023) | Varies | Registered pre-ban |
| Maryland | Named ban (specific models) | 10 rounds | HBAR (heavy barrel) lower |
| Massachusetts | Feature ban + AG interpretation | 10 rounds | Pre-ban, featureless, fixed-mag |
| New Jersey | Feature ban | 10 rounds | Featureless, fixed stock |
| New York | SAFE Act feature ban | 10 rounds | Featureless, fixed-mag |
| Washington | Purchase ban (2023) | 10 rounds | Owned pre-ban OK |
California: The Most Complex
California has the most complicated AR-15 regulations in the country. You have two legal options for owning a semi-auto centerfire rifle with a detachable magazine: go “featureless” (no pistol grip, adjustable stock, flash hider, or forward grip) or go “fixed-magazine” (magazine cannot be removed without disassembling the action).
Featureless builds use devices like the Thordsen FRS-15 stock or the Sparrow Dynamics grip to replace the pistol grip. These change the ergonomics significantly but keep the rifle legal and the magazine detachable. Fixed-mag solutions like the CompMag or Hogue Freedom Fighter lock the magazine in place until you open the action.
Previously registered “assault weapons” (registered before 2000 for named models, before 2017 for bullet-button rifles) can retain standard features but cannot be transferred within the state and must be registered with the DOJ. For complete California options, see our California-legal AR-15 guide.
New York: The SAFE Act
The 2013 NY SAFE Act bans semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines and any one “military-style” feature: pistol grip, thumbhole stock, folding/telescoping stock, second handgrip, bayonet mount, flash suppressor, or threaded barrel. That single-feature test is stricter than California’s, which requires two features.
Compliance options include featureless builds (fixed stock, no pistol grip, no flash hider, no threaded barrel) or fixed-magazine configurations. The Thordsen stock and similar grips work in New York. Magazine limit is 10 rounds, and the SAFE Act originally tried to limit loading to 7 rounds (struck down by courts).
Connecticut
Connecticut bans specific models by name and also has a feature test similar to New York. Pre-ban rifles (manufactured before September 13, 1994) are legal if registered. Post-ban rifles must be configured without banned features. The registration window for newly banned firearms closed in 2014.
Connecticut is one of the strictest states for AR-15 ownership. If you didn’t register before the deadline, your options are limited to featureless builds or other-category firearms. Consult a Connecticut firearms attorney before purchasing or building.
Maryland: The HBAR Exception
Maryland’s approach is unique. It bans specific rifles by name (including several AR-15 variants) but exempts AR-15-pattern rifles with heavy barrels (HBAR). This means you can legally own an AR-15 in Maryland as long as the barrel is heavy profile, not the standard M4 or government profile.
Most AR-15 manufacturers offer “Maryland-compliant” models with HBAR barrels. This is arguably the easiest restriction to comply with because it requires almost no functional compromise. A heavy barrel shoots just as well (better, arguably, due to thermal stability) as a standard profile. Magazines are limited to 10 rounds.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts has both a statutory assault weapon ban and a 2016 Attorney General “enforcement notice” that expanded the interpretation to cover “copies and duplicates” of banned weapons. This AG interpretation effectively banned most AR-15 sales, even featureless configurations, from Massachusetts dealers.
Pre-ban rifles (manufactured before September 13, 1994) remain legal. The AG interpretation has been challenged in court with mixed results. Massachusetts is one of the most difficult states for AR-15 ownership. Some residents have turned to alternatives like the Mini-14, which fires the same caliber but is not typically classified as an assault weapon.
New Jersey
New Jersey bans semi-automatic rifles with detachable magazines and any two of the following: pistol grip, folding/telescoping stock, flash suppressor, bayonet lug, or grenade launcher mount. The two-feature test means removing just one restricted feature makes the rifle legal.
Common NJ-compliant builds use a fixed stock (pinned), muzzle brake (not a flash hider), and no bayonet lug. The pistol grip is retained because you only need two features to trigger the ban. Magazines are limited to 10 rounds with no grandfathering.
Illinois
Illinois passed its Protect Illinois Communities Act in 2023, banning the sale and purchase of AR-15-pattern rifles. Existing owners must register their rifles with the Illinois State Police. Possession without registration became illegal after the registration deadline. The law has faced significant legal challenges and the situation continues to evolve. Check current Illinois law before taking any action.
Washington State
Washington banned the sale, manufacture, and distribution of semi-automatic “assault weapons” in 2023. However, rifles legally owned before the ban can be kept. You cannot buy a new AR-15 in Washington, but you can possess one you already owned. Magazines are limited to 10 rounds (ban passed 2022). See the magazine capacity guide for details.
Featureless Build Options
A “featureless” AR-15 removes or replaces all features that trigger the assault weapon classification in your state. Common modifications include replacing the pistol grip with a featureless grip (Thordsen, Sparrow Dynamics), pinning the stock in a fixed position, removing the flash hider, and covering the bayonet lug.
Featureless rifles are functional and still accurate. The ergonomic changes take some getting used to, but many shooters adapt quickly. The advantage over fixed-magazine configurations is that you retain normal magazine change capability, which matters for practical shooting and defense.
Fixed-Magazine Options
Fixed-magazine configurations lock the magazine in place so it cannot be removed without disassembling the action (typically separating the upper and lower receivers). This lets you keep all standard features (pistol grip, adjustable stock, flash hider) because the rifle no longer has a “detachable magazine.”
Devices like the CompMag, Hogue Freedom Fighter, and AR MagLock accomplish this in different ways. The trade-off is significantly slower reloads and the inability to quickly clear certain malfunctions. For range use, this is mildly annoying. For defensive use, it’s a more serious compromise.
Legal Challenges: Bruen and Beyond
The Supreme Court’s 2022 New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision changed the legal framework for evaluating gun regulations. Under Bruen, laws must be consistent with the “historical tradition of firearm regulation.” Since assault weapon bans have no historical precedent (the concept didn’t exist before the 1990s), many legal scholars argue they cannot survive this test.
Multiple federal courts are currently evaluating assault weapon bans under the Bruen framework. Some district courts have struck down bans (Bevis v. City of Naperville, Miller v. Bonta), while appellate courts have sometimes reversed those decisions. The issue may ultimately reach the Supreme Court for a definitive ruling.
Until the courts definitively settle this, comply with your state’s current law. Fighting a test case from jail is not a productive legal strategy. Support the Firearms Policy Coalition, NRA, or other legal advocacy organizations that are funding these challenges through the courts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Related Guides
Are AR-15s legal in all 50 states?
Technically yes, but several states restrict specific features, require registration, or ban new sales. You may need a modified featureless configuration to comply with state law.
What makes an AR-15 an assault weapon?
Assault weapon is a legal classification, not a technical one. It typically refers to a semi-automatic rifle with a detachable magazine plus certain features like a pistol grip or adjustable stock.
Can I move to a restricted state with my AR-15?
It depends on the state. Some require registration within a deadline. Others require compliance modifications before bringing it in. Research the destination state law before moving.
What is a featureless AR-15?
A featureless AR-15 removes or replaces all features that trigger the assault weapon classification. Common modifications include a fixed stock, featureless grip, and muzzle brake instead of flash hider.
Will assault weapon bans be overturned?
Multiple federal court challenges are active under the Bruen framework. Some lower courts have struck down bans, but appellate decisions have been mixed. The Supreme Court may eventually take up the issue.
Can I buy an AR-15 lower receiver in a ban state?
In most ban states, you can purchase a stripped lower because it is not yet configured with banned features. However, some states restrict the receiver itself.
What is the penalty for owning an illegal AR-15?
Penalties vary from misdemeanors to felonies depending on the state. In Connecticut and Massachusetts, violations can be charged as felonies with prison time.
Is the AR-15 considered a military weapon?
No. The AR-15 is a semi-automatic civilian rifle firing one round per trigger pull. The military M4 and M16 are select-fire weapons capable of burst or fully automatic fire.
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