AOW

[lunde]

What's the skinny with regard to AOW shotguns in California? I have legally owned a Wilson Arms WP870 (Witness Protection 870) for over twenty years. It is built on a Remington 870 receiver, and has a 12-inch choked barrel. It is on a Form 4 with the $5 AOW stamp. I have been keeping it out-of-state. Anyway, it sounds like it is legal for me to keep it in-state. Of course, I would want to verify this with the Bureau of Firearms before doing so.

[EBR Works]

Have you seen this thread?

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=82693

[lunde]

If I am reading that correctly, it seems like California Penal Code 12020(b)(8) comes into play for my case.

[ke6guj]

Yup, 12020(b)(8) provides an exemption to 12020 for federally-defined AOWs that are properly registered. Even though CA would consider it to be an SBS, a AOW registration would exempt you from it.

BATF has approved AOW registration in CA for items just like yours.

Now, federally, you don't need to get BATF permission to move your registered AOW across state lines with a http://www.atf.gov/forms/pdfs/f532020.pdf like you would with other NFA items, ATF will usually approve a 5320.20 on an AOW for a couple reasons; one, to update their records, and to give you paperwork showing that you are legal.

If you were to write BOF, make sure you specify that it is a federally-defined and registered AOW that complies with 12020(b)(8) and that it would be exempt from all of 12020. Otherwise, you'll probably just get a letter saying that it would be considered an SBS in CA and illegal.

[lunde]

Thank you, Jack. I just drafted a letter that I plan to send to BOF on Monday. Do you mind taking a quick look at it?

[bwiese]

Ken...

Please send a copy via PM to calgunner 'Oaklander' (attorney who is dealing with NFA trusts for AOWs) for comment/tweaks. We don't want the resultant reply from DOJ to end up a FUD letter not saying anything but somehow casting doubt.

There are 6000+ AOWs in CA. Appears a ton of AOW 12ga are owned by retired deputy sheriffs. One Calgunner gunsmith regularly does AOWs from 'virgin' 870 receivers.

12020(b)(8) completely removes the item from consideration as an SBS providing that it's reg'd as an NFA AOW.

[ke6guj]

+1 on Bill's advice to contact Oaklander.

[xxG3xx]

[lunde]

I was wondering when someone would make such a request.

Here is a photo of a friend of mine holding my Wilson Arms WP870:



It was taken during one of my Prairie Dog Safaris in South Dakota.

[xxG3xx]

very cool