I can&#x27;t speak to the ultimate legality of your idea, but I would guess that one would be arrested and it would be up to your lawyer to demonstrate that you were acting within the bounds of the law (if you were).<p>To your first question, I think it&#x27;s fair to say that both NJ and NYC (and because of NYC, NY to a lesser extent) are generally perceived as being hostile towards firearms and general weapons ownership.  If I were to predict states that restricted possession of an inoperable or antique firearm, NJ and NY would be at the top of my list, in that order.<p>To your second question, the appearance of the object has no bearing on it&#x27;s legal status as a firearm (laws prohibiting look-alike objects notwithstanding).  A pistol frame or lower receiver, incapable of being anything but a paperweight without all the other parts, is a firearm for legal purposes and would get one busted in the same manner as if it were a completely operational firearm.<p>Weapons laws are nuanced, pedantic, and frustrating.  Frequently, they make no rational sense.