In states exactly where you never register pistols, the 80% lowers are fine, my issue with the AR pistol is that they are so freaking loud you have to have a can on them or go deaf in the initially mag dump (ear protection performs as well, but are you going to have it on when some thing goes bump in the evening?). Quick, handy, extra effective than a handgun (most of ’em anyway) and extra ammo but LOUD and enormous muzzle flash.