Drop In Auto Sear Keychain
Many responsible gun owners despise these keychains. They argue that possessing an unregistered machine gun part, even as a joke, gives anti-gun legislators ammunition. They fear that a single high-profile prosecution of a kid who bought a $15 keychain will lead to sweeping new restrictions on 3D printing and firearm components.
The "Drop In Auto Sear Keychain" represents a dangerous paradox of the modern digital age. It looks like a toy; it is priced like a toy; but it carries the weight of a serious federal offense.
The DIAS itself is considered a machine gun by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) under the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934 and the Gun Control Act of 1968. Why? Because the legal definition of a "machine gun" includes not only the complete weapon but also any part designed and intended solely and exclusively for use in converting a weapon into a machine gun . Drop In Auto Sear Keychain
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) does not view these items as novelties. Under federal law, the physical design and dimensions of the item dictate its classification, not the marketing wrapper.
A standard semi-automatic firearm is designed to fire exactly one round for every pull of the trigger. To achieve this, a "sear" holds the hammer back until the trigger is pulled, after which the hammer must be manually reset by releasing the trigger. Drop In Auto Sear (DIAS) Many responsible gun owners despise these keychains
In ATF Ruling 81-4, the agency made clear that a device is a "machine gun" if it was originally designed as a fire control component. Adding a secondary function (like a key ring holder) does not negate that primary design. In plain English:
The government's stance on functional auto sears is uncompromising. The ATF has frequently pursued legal action against those selling devices that can become functional. The most famous example is the "AutoKeyCard" case. Sellers like Kristopher Ervin sold metal cards that were etched with the outline of an auto sear. They claimed these were "bottle openers" or "novelty sculptures." However, the ATF argued—and a federal jury agreed—that these cards were, in fact, blueprints for machine guns, as a buyer could easily cut the outline out of the card and install it into a rifle. Ervin was sentenced to over five years in federal prison. The "Drop In Auto Sear Keychain" represents a
The Hughes Amendment to FOPA banned the civilian possession and transfer of all machine guns manufactured after May 19, 1986.