Are Forced Reset Triggers Legal in Arkansas? State vs…

Are Forced Reset Triggers Legal in Arkansas?

No, forced reset triggers (FRTs) are not legal to possess in Arkansas for most citizens. While Arkansas has no specific state law banning FRTs, they are classified as machine guns under federal law by the ATF. This federal classification makes possessing an unregistered FRT a felony.

The Federal Ruling That Changed Everything

The conversation about forced reset triggers in Arkansas, and indeed the entire country, is dominated by a single federal action. In March 2022, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) issued an open letter that reclassified devices equipped with FRTs as 'machineguns' under the National Firearms Act (NFA) and Gun Control Act (GCA). This wasn't a new law passed by Congress but rather an interpretation of existing statutes.

The ATF's reasoning hinges on a specific mechanical function. A machine gun is legally defined as a weapon that fires more than one shot 'by a single function of the trigger.' The agency argues that because the FRT uses the action of the bolt carrier group to reset the trigger, the shooter's single pull and subsequent constant rearward pressure constitutes a single 'function of the trigger' that initiates a continuous firing cycle until the pressure is released or the ammunition is exhausted. This interpretation effectively removed FRTs from the category of standard semi-automatic accessories and placed them under the strict regulations of the NFA.

This federal ruling has a sweeping effect that supersedes any state-level permissions. Even in a state as firearm-friendly as Arkansas, federal law enforcement has jurisdiction over NFA items. The implications are significant for anyone who owned one of these triggers prior to the ruling. The legal landscape for these devices is similar nationwide, as seen in the ongoing discussions about Texas's FRT laws and regulations in other states.

Arkansas State Law and Federal Supremacy

If you search through the Arkansas Code, you will not find any statute that explicitly names and bans 'forced reset triggers.' Arkansas law is generally permissive regarding firearms and their accessories, reflecting the state's strong Second Amendment culture. The state has constitutional carry and generally does not place restrictions on firearm parts beyond what is federally mandated. However, this is where the principle of federal supremacy comes into play.

The Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution establishes that federal laws and treaties are the 'supreme Law of the Land.' When it comes to firearms, the NFA and GCA are powerful federal statutes that states must abide by. Because the ATF has classified FRTs as machine guns, possessing one in Arkansas is treated the same as possessing an illegal, unregistered machine gun anywhere else in the United States. The Arkansas state legislature cannot nullify this federal classification.

Therefore, an Arkansas resident cannot legally purchase, sell, or possess an FRT unless it was properly registered as a machine gun with the ATF during the brief window of time allowed after the ruling, a process that is no longer available. Local law enforcement in Arkansas may not be actively searching for FRTs, but if one is discovered during an interaction, they are obligated to enforce federal law, often in coordination with federal agencies like the ATF or FBI.

Technical Breakdown: How an FRT Works

To understand the ATF's position, it's useful to understand how an FRT actually functions. A standard semi-automatic trigger, like the mil-spec trigger in most AR-15s, requires two distinct actions from the shooter for each shot: a pull to fire, and a conscious release to allow the disconnector to hand off the hammer back to the trigger sear. The trigger is then 'reset' and ready for the next pull.

A forced reset trigger fundamentally alters this process. When the firearm is fired, the rearward movement of the bolt carrier group acts on a component of the FRT, which physically pushes the trigger forward, resetting it with force against the shooter's finger. As long as the shooter maintains rearward pressure, their finger is immediately in position to fire the next round the instant the bolt is back in battery. This mechanical assistance dramatically shortens the time between shots, allowing for a rate of fire that can approach that of a fully automatic weapon.

It's this external force—the energy from the bolt carrier group—that resets the trigger, rather than the shooter's own action of relaxing their finger, that forms the basis of the ATF's classification. This complex interplay of parts is why understanding the mechanics of a firearm, whether it's a simple pistol or a modular system like the LMT MARS-H rifle platform, is critical for responsible ownership.

FRTs vs. Other Trigger Systems

The market for aftermarket triggers is vast, and it's important to distinguish FRTs from other popular options, particularly binary triggers. A binary trigger fires one round on the pull of the trigger and a second round on the release of the trigger. Crucially, each round is tied to a distinct and separate action by the shooter (a pull or a release). As of now, the ATF has generally not classified most common binary triggers as machine guns, though they remain a subject of legal scrutiny in some states.

An FRT, by contrast, does not fire on the release. It uses the firearm's action to create a rapid reset cycle that enables a very high rate of fire with a single, continuous application of pressure by the shooter. This is the key legal and mechanical distinction. For gun owners seeking to stay compliant, it's essential to research and purchase legal accessories from reputable sources. You can browse all gun listings to see the variety of legal firearms and parts currently available on the market.

The performance difference is tangible. A skilled shooter with a standard trigger might achieve 200-300 rounds per minute. With a binary trigger, that could increase to 400-500 rounds per minute. An FRT, however, can enable rates of fire exceeding 700 rounds per minute, blurring the line with true machine guns. This performance capability is precisely what drew the ATF's attention and led to the current federal ban.

Legal Consequences of Possession in Arkansas

The penalties for being caught with an unregistered FRT in Arkansas are severe because the charges are federal. Possession of an unregistered machine gun is a felony under the National Firearms Act. A conviction can result in up to 10 years in federal prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both. These are life-altering consequences.

In addition to imprisonment and fines, a felony conviction means the permanent loss of your right to own firearms. This is not a minor infraction; it's one of the most serious offenses a gun owner can face. The federal government has shown a willingness to prosecute these cases. For anyone considering buying an FRT on a secondary or 'gray' market, the risk is immense. Following the proper legal channels is non-negotiable, and our guide on how to buy a gun legally outlines the correct procedures for acquiring firearms.

It's also important to note that ignorance of the law is not a valid defense. The ATF's open letter was widely publicized, and the responsibility falls on the gun owner to know the legal status of their firearms and accessories. If you own an FRT, seeking legal counsel from a qualified firearms attorney is the only prudent course of action. This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.

What If You Already Own an FRT?

For individuals who legally purchased an FRT before the ATF's reclassification, the ruling created a difficult situation. The ATF provided a few options for owners to become compliant. These included destroying the trigger according to specific ATF guidelines, surrendering it to a local ATF office, or having it destroyed by a qualified FFL. The window for potential registration has long since passed.

Attempting to sell the trigger is also a federal crime. The act of transferring an unregistered machine gun carries the same severe penalties as possession. This makes any attempt to list one for sale a massive legal liability. When looking at the true gun value of firearms, accessories like FRTs now have a negative value due to the legal jeopardy they represent. The only safe and legal path is to remove them from circulation entirely through destruction or surrender.

The existence of these triggers in a legal gray area before the ruling has led to confusion, but the current federal stance is clear and unambiguous. For owners of various firearms, from a SIG Sauer MPX to a standard AR-15, any installed FRT renders the firearm an illegal machine gun in the eyes of federal law. If you're looking to dispose of other, legal firearms, our guide on how to sell a gun provides information on compliant transfers.