Are Forced Reset Triggers Legal in Arizona? State &…

Are Forced Reset Triggers Legal in Arizona?

No, forced reset triggers (FRTs) are not legal to possess in Arizona. While Arizona has no state law specifically banning them, they are considered machine guns under federal law. The ATF's ruling applies nationwide, making possession of an unregistered FRT a federal felony, regardless of Arizona's pro-gun stance.

Understanding the Federal vs. State Conflict

The legality of forced reset triggers in Arizona is a prime example of federal law superseding state statutes. Arizona is widely recognized for its permissive firearm laws, often referred to as a 'constitutional carry' state. There are very few state-level restrictions on firearm types, accessories, or modifications. However, the issue with FRTs doesn't originate from the Arizona State Legislature in Phoenix; it comes directly from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), a federal agency.

In 2022, the ATF issued an open letter clarifying its position that devices commonly known as forced reset triggers are, in fact, 'machineguns' as defined by the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968. This classification is not a new law passed by Congress but rather an interpretation of existing federal statute. Because federal law applies to every state, this ATF ruling makes possessing an FRT in Arizona illegal, despite the absence of a specific Arizona law on the matter. This creates significant confusion for gun owners who are accustomed to Arizona's otherwise firearm-friendly legal landscape.

The ATF's Rationale: Redefining a 'Single Function of the Trigger'

To understand why FRTs are federally prohibited, one must look at the precise wording of the National Firearms Act. The NFA defines a machine gun as any weapon which shoots, or is designed to shoot, 'automatically more than one shot, without manual reloading, by a single function of the trigger.' For decades, this has been understood to mean that as long as the trigger has to be pulled for every single shot, the firearm is semi-automatic.

The ATF's argument against FRTs centers on a reinterpretation of 'single function.' With a standard semi-automatic trigger, the shooter pulls the trigger to fire, then must consciously release the trigger to allow it to reset before the next shot can be fired. The ATF contends that with an FRT, the shooter's constant rearward pressure on the trigger is all that is required for the weapon to continue firing. The trigger's 'forced reset,' which is powered by the bolt carrier's movement, is viewed by the agency as part of one continuous 'function' initiated by the shooter. In their view, since the shooter does not have to perform the separate, distinct action of releasing the trigger to reset it, the device allows for automatic fire by a single pull and hold of the trigger.

This interpretation effectively lumps FRTs in with traditional machine guns, which are heavily regulated under the NFA. This analysis has been applied to popular models like the Rare Breed FRT-15 and the Wide Open Triggers WOT, leading to cease-and-desist letters and legal battles. For gun owners, this means that possessing an FRT is equivalent to possessing an unregistered machine gun, a serious federal offense. Understanding how to how to sell a gun legally is critical, and this includes being aware that transferring an FRT is considered trafficking an illegal machine gun.

Arizona State Law: A Lack of Specific Prohibition

If you search the Arizona Revised Statutes (ARS), you won't find any mention of 'forced reset triggers.' Arizona's firearm laws, primarily found in ARS Title 13, Chapter 31, are broad and generally defer to federal definitions for regulated items. For example, ARS § 13-3101 defines a 'prohibited weapon' to include things like automatic firearms, but it aligns with the federal NFA definition. Therefore, once the ATF classified FRTs as machine guns, they automatically fell under Arizona's definition of a prohibited weapon without any new state legislation being required.

This is a crucial distinction. Arizona has not passed a law to ban FRTs. Instead, the federal classification simply flows down and is enforced within the state. This is unlike the situation in some other states which have their own specific bans on 'rate-of-fire-enhancing' devices. Arizona's legal framework relies on the federal standard. This is also why local ordinances in cities like Tucson or Flagstaff cannot ban FRTs on their own; Arizona has strong firearm preemption laws that prevent municipalities from enacting gun control that is stricter than state law. The prohibition is purely a federal matter. The complexity surrounding these devices can significantly impact a firearm's market price, making it important to determine a firearm's true value with all legal modifications considered.

Technical Breakdown: How an FRT Differs from Other Triggers

The controversy is rooted in the unique mechanics of the FRT. A standard AR-15 trigger works with a disconnector. When the rifle fires, the hammer is caught by the disconnector. It will not be released to strike the firing pin again until the shooter physically releases pressure on the trigger, allowing the trigger and disconnector to reset. This sequence ensures a 1-to-1 ratio of pull-to-shot.

A binary trigger, which is generally legal at the federal level (though banned in some states), fires one round on the pull and one round on the release. This still requires two distinct physical actions from the shooter (pull and release) for a two-shot burst, which is why the ATF has, for the most part, not classified them as machine guns.

A forced reset trigger operates differently. When the shooter pulls the trigger, the hammer falls and the gun fires. As the bolt carrier group cycles to the rear, it pushes a locking bar that forces the trigger to reset, even while the shooter's finger maintains rearward pressure. The hammer is caught by the reset sear, and as soon as the bolt is back in battery, the trigger is ready to be pulled again. Because the reset is so fast and happens under pressure, a shooter can achieve a very high rate of fire that mimics automatic fire. It is this externally powered reset, divorced from the shooter's conscious release of the trigger, that forms the basis of the ATF's machine gun classification. The legal status of different trigger mechanisms can vary greatly, and it's useful to compare the legal status of trigger mechanisms in other states to understand the national landscape.

Legal Challenges and What They Mean for Owners

The ATF's classification has not gone unchallenged. Companies like Rare Breed Triggers have been involved in extensive litigation against the federal government, arguing that the ATF overstepped its authority and incorrectly interpreted the law. These court cases have seen mixed results, with some temporary injunctions granted but the ATF's overall position remaining largely intact. The legal battle is ongoing, creating a period of uncertainty.

For an Arizona gun owner, this means the legal status is perilous. While some may hope for a court to overturn the ATF's decision, possession of an FRT in the meantime remains a federal crime. The concept of 'constructive possession' also applies, meaning that even having the parts to assemble an FRT could be legally problematic. The penalties for possessing an unregistered machine gun are severe, including up to 10 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000. For those with a collection, it's worth noting that many different types of firearms are available that do not push these legal boundaries, and you can browse firearm listings to see what is clearly legal and available on the market.

The ATF has not announced an amnesty period for registering existing FRTs, as has sometimes occurred with other reclassified items like bump stocks. The agency's official guidance has been for owners to surrender the triggers to an ATF office or destroy them completely. Attempting to sell or even privately transfer one is considered trafficking in illegal machine guns and carries its own set of severe penalties. This has made the once-popular accessory a significant legal liability for anyone who still has one. The issue is especially pronounced on a modern semi-automatic rifle platform where such a trigger could be easily installed.