imfdb.org  

Go Back   imfdb.org > The Forum > Just Guns

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 04-01-2014, 05:28 AM
2wingo 2wingo is offline
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Coeur d'Alene, ID, USA
Posts: 56
Default 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?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 04-04-2014, 03:51 AM
Jcordell Jcordell is offline
Formerly "Checkman"
IMFDB Admin
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,029
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2wingo View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 04-04-2014, 03:54 AM
S&Wshooter's Avatar
S&Wshooter S&Wshooter is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Texas
Posts: 4,936
Default

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
__________________
Get off of my property


http://www.introvertisland.com
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 04-04-2014, 01:27 PM
Jcordell Jcordell is offline
Formerly "Checkman"
IMFDB Admin
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,029
Default

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.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 04-04-2014, 05:28 PM
funkychinaman's Avatar
funkychinaman funkychinaman is offline
IMFDB & Forum Admin
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 2,621
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jcordell View Post
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.
__________________
"Me fail English? That's unpossible!"
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 04-05-2014, 02:44 PM
Jcordell Jcordell is offline
Formerly "Checkman"
IMFDB Admin
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,029
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by funkychinaman View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 04-06-2014, 04:13 AM
Excalibur's Avatar
Excalibur Excalibur is offline
IMFDB Admin
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: USA
Posts: 3,842
Send a message via AIM to Excalibur Send a message via MSN to Excalibur Send a message via Yahoo to Excalibur
Default

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.
__________________

"There's a fine line between not listening and not caring...I like to think I walk that line everyday of my life."

Blessed be the LORD, my rock, Who trains my hands for war, And my fingers for battle
Psalm 144:1

“It is always wrong to use force, unless it is more wrong not to.”
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 04-07-2014, 01:22 AM
Nyles Nyles is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 921
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jcordell View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 04-07-2014, 01:37 AM
funkychinaman's Avatar
funkychinaman funkychinaman is offline
IMFDB & Forum Admin
 
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Bucks County, PA
Posts: 2,621
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Nyles View Post
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".
__________________
"Me fail English? That's unpossible!"
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 04-07-2014, 02:59 PM
Jcordell Jcordell is offline
Formerly "Checkman"
IMFDB Admin
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Idaho
Posts: 1,029
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by funkychinaman View Post
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.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT. The time now is 03:16 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.0
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.