Are there any licenses required to smith a custom rifle for your own personal use?

Question

I am interested in designing and smithing a rifle for my own personal use for competitions. Would there be any licenses I need?

I am mostly worried about BATF licenses on this, since that would be a bad thing to go to a federal prison for doing something illegal without knowing.

Answer 1

As a Gunsmith I know for a fact under Federal Law (BATF) you must be licensed as a manufacturer of firearms to do what you described, even though it is for your own personal use. Any time you would install a custom barrel of any caliber different from the one that it was manufactured with is considered "manufacturing" a firearm. I personally have a manufacturing license and insurance because I build "Custom Conversions" of Ruger/Remington/M1A's rifles for target and National Match competitions

Answer 2

I do not know whether any federal statute covers the subject, but many states and municipalities have strict and clear regulations requiring a license for such purposes. I would inquire [while not armed, I might suggest] of your local police department, sheriff's department, city or state's attorney's office as to the requirements in your area.

Answer 3

Depends what state you are in. Do some research in your own state, or make some phone calls. Some states have a lot more lax gun laws than others.