Partisan Disruptor Legal FRTs?
If you’ve spent more than five minutes in the gun world online, you already know this universal truth:
Nothing sparks a comment war faster than the word “legal.”
And forced reset triggers (FRTs) have been the internet’s favorite legal piñata for years—half the crowd yelling “totally legal,” the other half yelling “straight to jail,” and a third group just posting 🇺🇸 emojis like it’s a legal brief.
So let’s talk about the Partisan Triggers Disruptor and what the actual paper trail says—federally and state-by-state—based on Partisan’s own legal briefing and the major public-facing federal updates that followed.
What is the Partisan Disruptor (in plain English)?
Partisan describes the Disruptor as a drop-in FRT for the AR-15 family of firearms.
It’s sold as an “enhanced semi-auto” style system (that’s the language you’ll see used in legal disclaimers and product copy), and it sits in a category that has been heavily litigated since ATF actions began escalating in the early 2020s.
The big legal headline: Federal status (what changed, and when)
1) July 2024: the court order that kicked the door open
Partisan’s legal briefing states that nationwide federal legality was established in July 2024 when Judge Reed O’Connor (N.D. Texas) prohibited ATF from actions treating FRTs as machine guns—covering enforcement actions like prosecutions, seizures, and “notice letters.”
2) May 2025: DOJ settlement announced publicly
Partisan’s legal briefing also points to May 2025, when DOJ announced a settlement regarding FRT litigation and acknowledged that (in that context) FRTs were treated as federally legal / not machine guns.
DOJ’s press release describing the settlement was published May 16, 2025. Department of Justice
3) ATF site notice (and the part everyone ignores)
ATF’s own posting about FRTs references the July 23, 2024 decision and explicitly adds the caution: some states independently prohibit possession of forced reset triggers / trigger activating devices. ATF
That “some states…” line is the difference between:
- “Federally OK” and
- “I can ship it to you without the order getting canceled.”
Partisan Disruptor Legal by State: where sellers typically won’t ship (and why you should care)
Partisan’s legal brief says FRTs are legal in 35 states, and lists states where FRTs “may not be sold” as:
CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, HI, IL, MD, MA, MN, NV, NJ, NY, OR, RI, WA + DC.
Why this matters for customers
Even if a device is treated as legal federally, sellers still have to manage:
- state statutes,
- local restrictions,
- state AG enforcement priorities,
- and rapidly changing litigation.
For example, California’s Attorney General issued a bulletin stating FRTs remain illegal under CA law. California DOJ
And a coalition of states sued the federal government over the settlement process/return of triggers in mid-2025—meaning the political/legal pressure at the state level is still very real. AP News+1
What FirearmSystems.net says about where they will sell the Disruptor
On the Firearm Systems product page for the Partisan Disruptor AR-15 FRT, they state it’s “legal in 35” and list sales-prohibited locations, including:
CA, CT, CO, DE, FL, HI, IL, MA, MD, MN, NJ, NV, NY, RI, WA, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico, and they state the order will be canceled if ordered from those locations. FirearmSystems.net
You’ll notice that this seller policy list is not identical to the Partisan legal brief list (for example: the Firearm Systems page mentions Puerto Rico. FirearmSystems.net
What that means in practice:
Even if one document says something is legal in a state, a retailer may still refuse shipment based on their compliance policy, counsel advice, insurance requirements, payment processor rules, or ongoing litigation risk.
“So… is Partisan Disruptor legal?” The cleanest honest answer
- Federal: The legal environment shifted materially after the July 2024 decision cited by Partisan and the May 16, 2025 DOJ settlement announcement. Department of Justice
- State/local: Some states explicitly restrict these devices, and enforcement posture can differ dramatically. ATF itself warns that some states prohibit them. ATF
- Retail shipping reality: Your ability to buy one often depends on where you live and the seller’s prohibited list, not just federal headlines. FirearmSystems.net
Federally it may be treated as lawful, but state/local law and seller policy determine whether you can actually buy and ship it. ATF
Not legal advice: This is informational only. Laws change, and enforcement can vary. Always confirm the current rules where you live before buying, possessing, or using any firearm component. (Even Partisan says the buyer is responsible for staying compliant.)
Where to buy: Partisan Disruptor
Quick FAQ
Is the Partisan Disruptor legal federally?
Partisan’s legal brief says FRTs were treated as federally legal following the July 2024 decision and the DOJ settlement announcement in May 2025. Department of Justice
Is Partisan Disruptor legal in my state?
Some states restrict FRTs. Partisan lists specific states where FRTs may not be sold, and ATF warns some states independently prohibit them. ATF
Why do prohibited-state lists differ between sources?
Because “legal” and “shippable” aren’t the same thing. Retailers may apply stricter rules than the minimum legal baseline to reduce risk and comply with their policies. FirearmSystems.net
Is this Partisan Disruptor legal advice?
No. This is general information. Confirm current laws before purchase and use.
