Sidesaddle & Serial Number

[Neo Sharkey]

I bought a TacStar Sidesaddle shell holder for my Mossberg 500A. Looking at how it mounts, it looks like it will cover the serial number once mounted.

Do the laws regarding serial numbers have anything to say about an accessory covering the number (without damaging it) and requiring tools to remove accessory to see the number?

My google-fu is weak tonight, I couldn't find the text of the law.

[rcschummers]

I'm not 100% positive but as long as it exists there's no problem. Although if for some reason you are having your numbers run, don't expect a gunsmith to be carefully retreving the I.D. Better off not getting yourself in the position.where their needed...smart men play safely and by the rules. Try contacting your local district attorney, I know the d.a. In placer county, and he is pretty good about straight answers if that helps.

[cmth]

PC 537e refers to "removed, defaced, covered, altered, or destroyed" serial numbers, but it does not define what "covered" means. The legislative intent of the law is clearly meant for property that was acquired through "less than legal" means and had their serial numbers defaced. Incidental, temporary covering of the serial number is not what it was written for.

If I put a tactical light on my Glock, the serial number would be covered, but I've never heard of anyone being charged with a crime for putting a light on their pistol. The same goes for revolvers which have their serial numbers under the grip panels. It would be a trivial matter to access the serial number if it were necessary. I wouldn't worry about it.

[AndrewMendez]

Can you post a picture as to how it is covered. I dont think TacStar would make a side saddle that did that. Perhaps they gave you the wrong one??

[eccvets]

smart men play safely and by the rules.

That's not true! not at all.

In any case, as long as you dont grind off the serial number, its fine.

[Rover]

I take it none of you doubting the legality own a SxS or O/U. I've never seen one that you do not have to partially disassemble to find the serial number. Things that can be detached are not considered "covering" by the standards of the law, "covered" would be epoxying something over it so that, while it still exists on the firearm, it can, in no way, be seen.

[pigiron]

If you're in a position where the serial number of your shotgun is at issue, you actually have more issues than that.

[prc77]

Can you post a picture as to how it is covered. I dont think TacStar would make a side saddle that did that. Perhaps they gave you the wrong one??

It covers it, for sure. I takes up the most of the left side of the reciever.

[Neo Sharkey]

Can you post a picture as to how it is covered. I dont think TacStar would make a side saddle that did that. Perhaps they gave you the wrong one??

It's exactly like PRC77's photo.

I'm really asking because, lets face it: California pretty much hates us, and I don't doubt a DA would ignore the spirit of the law if he could stick it to us by using the letter of the law (i.e. See Thesus's case; the judge basically made up law to ensure a false conviction).

It is funny, though...they go nuts over "Scary Black Rifles" but don't seem to be making much of a fuss over Tacti-cool shotguns.

Someone earlier in the thread has a good point...I doubt that TacStar would be selling something that, when used as intended violated law. I remembered the wording about "covered", but the points people made about some guns being sold with serial numbers under the grips (Those must be a pain for UOC) made it more clear.

[L-2]

Using a label machine, I printed out the serial number a few times and stuck them on the receiver, sidesaddle, &/or butt-stock.

[aippi]

All the tac-star shell holders covers the serial number for most shotguns as do some others out there. One great benifit of the Mesa is that it does not. This would have been great in my day as I had to bring my 870 to the Arsenal once every three months for Inventory and safety inspection. If you walked in with a side shell holder on your weapon got cussed out big time by Sgt. Eddy since he had to record the serial number. He would not even let you use his tools to take it off. You had to go home and remove it and come back. I took one of his rants and never made that mistake again. Would have loved to had the Mesa back in the day.

[Hayashi Killian]

PC 537e refers to "removed, defaced, covered, altered, or destroyed" serial numbers, but it does not define what "covered" means.

"Covered" in this case means a permanent cover, like attaching and affixing a plate over the serial. You can cover the serial number on all your guns with a bit of electrical or aluminum tape and no foul. Since the serial number is still there and has suffered no permanent loss it's completely legit.

[MossbergMan]

Not illegal, but a pain when transfering. Had to take side saddles off to get to numbers. If it's illegal there's a boat load of cops in trouble! I'll get in line right BEHIND them if there's a beef about serial numbers and side saddles.
Sadly, they (LE) could take your gun until THEY could verify the number if there was probable cause to determine true ownership. That's the nice part of velcro side saddles, I cut out the area over the serial number so all I have to do now is peel the shell holder off and there it is.

[BigDogatPlay]

Not illegal at all. Just kind of a PITA when doing a PPT, as I found out a while back. Thankfully the FFL had same sidesaddles in stock so we carefully opened a package, got the Allen out, removed the sidesaddle enough for the FFL to verify / record the s/n, and replaced.

So if you are PPT a shotgun with a sidesaddle and it covers the s/n, take it off before you go or bring an Allen with you.

[aceventura]

Another option would be to write down the serial# with a dremel tool on the side saddle. I have done it for the Remington 870 sidesaddle.