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-   -   My Understanding of the Law Regarding Sawed-Off Shotguns (http://forum.imfdb.org/showthread.php?t=2295)

2wingo 04-01-2014 05:28 AM

My Understanding of the Law Regarding Sawed-Off Shotguns
 
I just want someone to confirm that I'm basically correct:

In the US, it is legal to shorten the barrel(s) of a shotguns only to a certain point; to shorten it past that point requires you to register the weapon with the BATFE and pay a tax of some sort.

Am I way off or do I have it right?

Jcordell 04-04-2014 03:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2wingo (Post 40445)
I just want someone to confirm that I'm basically correct:

In the US, it is legal to shorten the barrel(s) of a shotguns only to a certain point; to shorten it past that point requires you to register the weapon with the BATFE and pay a tax of some sort.

Am I way off or do I have it right?

If I remember correctly the barrel can't be under 18.5" and the overall length of the shotgun has to be at least 42 inches. I think. I'm going to bed so I don't feel like looking it up. I believe it's actually 18", but I've always been told to stick with 18.5 just to be on the safe side. Don't forget the overall length though. I've seen folks get jammed up because they cut the stock down as well as the barrel. Then it's Federal.

S&Wshooter 04-04-2014 03:54 AM

If it weren't for the dang laws, my Savage Fox Model B would get cut down for the lulz and/or so I could have a sweet Lupara

Jcordell 04-04-2014 01:27 PM

One of the officers I work with has a Remington 870 that he had cut down to 14 inches. For many years it was his entry weapon - he was on SWAT. He had the work done by a professional gunsmith and he had to pay the Federal tax on it. There was a lot of paperwork and it took a few months for him to get the approval. He no longer carries it, but he still owns it - legally. Whatever one's grievances with the Federal government it's better not to screw with the Federal firearms codes.

Those codes have teeth and the Federal prosecutors will file. I've seen a few truely bad people go to prison on Federal firearms violations. In one memorable case the badguy in question had beaten several cases over the years, but he couldn't get out of the Federal firearm case. Now that's been my experience. Others might have a different story to tell. Just FYI.

funkychinaman 04-04-2014 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcordell (Post 40474)
One of the officers I work with has a Remington 870 that he had cut down to 14 inches. For many years it was his entry weapon - he was on SWAT. He had the work done by a professional gunsmith and he had to pay the Federal tax on it. There was a lot of paperwork and it took a few months for him to get the approval. He no longer carries it, but he still owns it - legally. Whatever one's grievances with the Federal government it's better not to screw with the Federal firearms codes.

Those codes have teeth and the Federal prosecutors will file. I've seen a few truely bad people go to prison on Federal firearms violations. In one memorable case the badguy in question had beaten several cases over the years, but he couldn't get out of the Federal firearm case. Now that's been my experience. Others might have a different story to tell. Just FYI.

As an Idahoan, I'm surprised you didn't mention the siege at Ruby Ridge, which was set off due to the illegal sale of sawn-off shotguns.

Jcordell 04-05-2014 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkychinaman (Post 40476)
As an Idahoan, I'm surprised you didn't mention the siege at Ruby Ridge, which was set off due to the illegal sale of sawn-off shotguns.

My father is retired Idaho State Police and was up there. One of the ATF agents who was up there was killed the next year at Waco. Dad says he was a nice guy and evidently an avid hunter and gun guy. What a mess. Many mistakes made on both sides and both sides are guilty of some heavy propaganda.

Excalibur 04-06-2014 04:13 AM

Speaking of short barrels, the ATF recently made it clear that having the SIG Arm Brace attached to an AR or AK "pistol" and then shouldering it like a stock does NOT change the classification of the firearm into an SBR.

Nyles 04-07-2014 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jcordell (Post 40471)
If I remember correctly the barrel can't be under 18.5" and the overall length of the shotgun has to be at least 42 inches. I think. I'm going to bed so I don't feel like looking it up. I believe it's actually 18", but I've always been told to stick with 18.5 just to be on the safe side. Don't forget the overall length though. I've seen folks get jammed up because they cut the stock down as well as the barrel. Then it's Federal.

42"? Does that mean a Mossberg JIC requires a tax stamp? I'm surprised! Up here a barrel can't be shortened to under 18" or the gun overall to under 26", but if it's manufactured that way it becomes classified the same as a handgun.

funkychinaman 04-07-2014 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nyles (Post 40500)
42"? Does that mean a Mossberg JIC requires a tax stamp? I'm surprised! Up here a barrel can't be shortened to under 18" or the gun overall to under 26", but if it's manufactured that way it becomes classified the same as a handgun.

I believe the overall limit is 26".

Jcordell 04-07-2014 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkychinaman (Post 40501)
I believe the overall limit is 26".

Yep that's right. I just looked it up. See what happens when you don't look stuff up because you're in a hurry to go to bed. Let that be a lesson to everyone here. :o


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