BOB89,
I suggest you query the California Department of Justice before you spend your money. The Roberti-Roos "Assault" Weapons ban specifically addresses AR-15s. Look-a-likes such as Olympic Arms, Colt Sporter .223s have been sold because the Attorney General tried to add AR-15 look-a-likes to the list in Superior Court and promptly got sued by a number of plaintiff's, including Colt.
The Third(?) District Appelate court ruled the method for adding weapons to the list was unconstitutional, because it was a violation of separation of powers. Essentially, if the legislature wants to ban weapons it should do so, not ask some superior court judge to do so.
With regards to registering your pre-ban AR-15. Under Roberti-Roos, there was a cut-off date for registration. Then there was an amnesty period. Attorney General Lungren tried to extend the amnesty with the thinking since an arrest under Roberti-Roos could be reduced to an infraction if the weapon was owned prior to July 1st, 1989, then it was Ok to continue to accept registrations. Lungren took heat in the LA Times over his stand and thus reversed his position on "tardy" registrations.
I think that unless you can prove you owned your pre-ban AR-15 before July 1, 1989, you don't stand a snowball's chance in H--- to register it. The only persons who are currently able to register any weapon covered by Roberti-Roos are weapons props guys who provide weapons to the movie studios.
If you do get a favorable opinion from the Attorney General, I strongly suggest you get it in writing. Even then, remember Dan Lungren flip-flopped on the SKS issue.
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Bruce Stanton