CRG-15 Compliant Rifle Grip Legal Information

Disclaimer:

We are not lawyers, and this is not legal advice. This and similar products have not been approved by the California Department of Justice. Even so, our attorneys, Michel & Associates P.C. ( who also represent the CRPA and NRA in California), prepared an analysis of the CRG-15 rifle grip and wrote an opinion stating that it is not a “pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon,” as that term is used in the definition of an “assault weapon” under California Penal Code section 30515(a)(1).

*Definition per State of California’s “Assault Weapons Identification Guide”, 3rd Edition, November 2001, page 80: “Pistol Grip, conspicuously protruding: A grip that allows for a pistol style grasp in which the web of the trigger hand (between the thumb and index finger) can be placed below the top of the exposed portion of the trigger while firing.”

Side note: After SB-880 passed (banning the bullet button) the DOJ wanted § 5471 to apply to general “AW” identification, but it ended up only applying to the one year registration window only. Then on January 8th 2019, they adopted § 5460 which made § 5471 definitions apply to “AW” identification. These are the most current definitions we have now. Since 2017 the DOJ has said they intend to update the “Assault Weapons Identification Guide” pdf, but still hasn’t. The definition for pistol grip is still the same in § 5471. This guide is still important for identifying Category 1 & 2 weapons by make and model, but use 5471 definitions for identifying Category 3 weapons based on characteristics.

You can download the full CRG-15 analysis PDF prepared by the prominent 2A law firm Michel & Associates by clicking the image below.

In their analysis, they state...

"Because the CRG requires users to place the web of their trigger hand above the top most exposed portion of the trigger, the CRG cannot be classified as a “pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon” because it does not satisfy DOJ’s definition of the term. As a result, owners of AR-15 style firearms who properly mount the CRG to their firearm should be able to avoid having their firearm classified as equipped with a “pistol grip that protrudes conspicuously beneath the action of the weapon,” thereby potentially avoiding the firearm being classified as an “assault weapon” under Penal Code section 30515(a)(1)."

Then they go on to state this important caveat...

"However, users of the CRG with this purpose in mind should take care to ensure their firearm is also not equipped with any one of the other prohibited “features” under Penal Code section 30515(a)(1), which include thumbhole stocks, folding or telescoping stocks, grenade or flare launchers, flash suppressors, or forward pistol grips. Even with a properly mounted CRG, having any one of these other prohibited features mounted to the firearm will potentially classify the firearm as an “assault weapon” under Penal Code 30515(a)(1)."

Click the image below for more information about building "featureless" and the "Assault Weapon" Quick Reference Guide from Michel & Associates.

Is the CRG-15 compliant for other states?

California's penal code specifically defines the pistol grips using the placement of the web of your hand in relation to the the top most exposed portion of the trigger. Other states have different definitions or very vague definitions concerning "assault weapons" regulations; therefore, you will need to do your research to determine if this grip will work for you or not. we would appreciate an email from you if you have relevant information concerning this.