imported post
I think that Essential Arms currently manufactures at least AR lowers in Krotz Springs, and maybe more parts than that. It's a bit hard to tell for sure just by reading their promo. It looks like they were fully in the manufacturing game until the ban in '94, when they started servicing other manufacturers products, with them producing only some specialty aluminum CAR stocks until '02. Then, after the sunset, some point in '05, when it was once again safe for them to go back into the water, it appears that they have returned to producing at least their own lowers again, maybe more. It's pretty obvious to see that their actual Louisiana manufacturing rose and fell with legislation, and it makes one wonder if the FFA passed, would they respond with at least some limited run of production of whatever parts were necessary to to fit the legislation of a Louisiana produced weapon? In fact, depending on which parts are considered "generic", the lower may be enough...but I doubt it. From their site:
"Essential Arms began production of AR-15 lower receivers, aluminum CAR stocks, and AR-15 parts in 1982 with the intent of offering America the best parts available at the best price. Essential Arms pre-ban model J-15 lower receivers were machined from heat treated T6 8356 aviation alloy and anodized to mil. spec. 8625. We produced receivers bearing the Essential Arms Company name until 1994. From 1994 through 2002, Essential Arms did machining processes on lower receivers and AR-15 parts for other manufacturers. Also, during these years, we continued to produce our aluminum CAR stocks for retro-fit on pre-ban guns and for police departments nationwide.
In 2005 Essential Arms began to offer our services to the shooting public once again. The new model, J-15-F forged lower receiver, is machined from 7075 heat treated T6
aluminum alloy and is anodized to mil.spec. 8625. Offered to you from the armory in the swamp, the J-15-F forged lower receiver is guaranteed to be the finest product available at a price that is guaranteed to be affordable."
I, most likely like many others who visit this site, have picked up several black rifles over the years...personally, I have a half dozen, if I cheat and count my SIG 556 among the ARs. Regardless, I own several ARs - Colt and DPMS - two 5.56s, a .223, a 7.62 X 39, and a .308. I like 'em all, for different reasons, of course. And, yes, I would love to also have one that fit this LA FFA legislation if it passed, because if I needed to take one across state lines, it wouldn't have to be the Louisiana made rifle. I don't understand how the Feds could regulate the simple carry of these Louisiana made firearms across state lines based on the Interstate Commerce Clause, anyway (but I have a strange feeling someone is about to explain it to me shortly, so let me thank you in advance
).
Just like having different calibers and/or different manufacturers, there could and likely would most certainly be (an) advantage(s) to having one of these non-Fed regulated rifles.
Granted, I would love to have a Louisiana made AR with a 3" bore that shot a little supersonic, peroxide powered guided cruise missile with a nose slap-ass full of HE (or even better yet, two of the little bastards at once at once) that detonated with a couple million joules upon impact, even if it did take me and three buddies to shoot it ... but I'd settle for a Coonass 5.56.