Using Michigan as an example, because I live here, the legislature has defined a pistol as anything that is shorter than 30″ when in a firing configuration. Consequently the 29.5″ long Kel-Tec Sub 2000 (a rifle by federal standards, and goes down as a long-gun on the 4473) requires a pistol purchase permit to transfer. Another example would be a pistol-gripped shotgun with a nice short 18.5″ barrel on it. Should be around 27-28″, not a pistol by federal standards (not a shotgun either, but I digress) but it’s a pistol by Michigan’s standards and requires the pistol purchase permit to transfer.

In short: This change shouldn’t change anything at the state permit process level anywhere.

I’m still not quite clear on whether or not one will be legally able to build (for example) an AR pistol out of any AR lower receiver (as long as it doesn’t have a shoulder stock attached), without any additional paperwork/fees.

Good luck. I don’t generally consider myself stupid and it took me most of a morning to read and understand the text with references to U.S. code.

The first guy I used the form with looked at the fine print, shrugged and said, “Hell. I can’t even see that. Where do I sign?”

Looks like the changes are mostly improvements.