Semi-Auto Shotguns

[Live Free or Die]

I am a noob, sorry. I did read through this site and could not find the answer to this question (and another about handguns that i posted in the other forum).

Basically i was wondering if there was an official california definition of what a semi-automatic shotgun was. I am moving to California soon and want to buy a home-defense shotgun to take with me before i head out there. Yes, I understand what semi-automatic is, but i wanted to make sure there wasn't some document somewhere that considers a pump action, under certain circumstances, to be semi automatic.

If i buy a pump-action shotgun that meets the 18" and 26" length requirements, that has BOTH a pistol grip AND a collapsable stock.. am i 100% ok?

Thanks everyone. This website is a goldmine for information. I am really looking forward to becoming a citizen of california (for everything except the gun laws). My beautiful Colt AR-15 will not be joining me, however

[damon1272]

You would be GTG with your pump action. Most of the semi autos on the market are OK too. I may be wrong but you run into problems with the saiga shotguns as I think they need to have a BB. I am sure if I am wrong someone will correct me.

[SofaGeorge]

I don't have the link, but you can go on the BATF website for lists of Cali approved models of handguns and shotguns. I've never checked it for shotguns, but it might be there if you look.

PS You'd really be doing your new state a favor by buying your gun here. California gun shops are brutalized by laws no other state would put up with. (It's getting so bad even the liberals are leaving the state!) You'd be supporting a California business if you bought here... and you'd save yourself having to wonder if your gun is Cali legal.

Plus, you'd make buddies at your local gun shop day one.

[Quiet]

If i buy a pump-action shotgun that meets the 18" and 26" length requirements, that has BOTH a pistol grip AND a collapsable stock.. am i 100% ok?

100% CA legal.



If you legally want to own something smaller, check out AOWs.
AOWs are CA legal.

[Live Free or Die]

PS You'd really be doing your new state a favor by buying your gun here. California gun shops are brutalized by laws no other state would put up with. (It's getting so bad even the liberals are leaving the state!) You'd be supporting a California business if you bought here... and you'd save yourself having to wonder if your gun is Cali legal.

Plus, you'd make buddies at your local gun shop day one.

I am 100% in favor of supporting local businesses and fully plan on doing it by spending my money there on ammo, targets, and accessories. But if i buy the gun here in NH before i leave the state i don't have to be in any california registry database.. and that is a huge deal to me.

[shortround1]

I am 100% in favor of supporting local businesses and fully plan on doing it by spending my money there on ammo, targets, and accessories. But if i buy the gun here in NH before i leave the state i don't have to be in any california registry database.. and that is a huge deal to me.

You still have to register it in California when you move here.

[jumpthestack]

Registration is only for handguns.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs.php#24

[jumpthestack]

Check out the shotgun assault weapons flow chart for any potential 'assault weapon' issues.

http://www.calguns.net/caawid/sgflowchart.pdf

[inbox485]

I am a noob, sorry. I did read through this site and could not find the answer to this question (and another about handguns that i posted in the other forum).

Basically i was wondering if there was an official california definition of what a semi-automatic shotgun was. I am moving to California soon and want to buy a home-defense shotgun to take with me before i head out there. Yes, I understand what semi-automatic is, but i wanted to make sure there wasn't some document somewhere that considers a pump action, under certain circumstances, to be semi automatic.

If i buy a pump-action shotgun that meets the 18" and 26" length requirements, that has BOTH a pistol grip AND a collapsable stock.. am i 100% ok?

Thanks everyone. This website is a goldmine for information. I am really looking forward to becoming a citizen of california (for everything except the gun laws). My beautiful Colt AR-15 will not be joining me, however

Good to go on pump shotguns. Semi auto is just what is sounds like. No funny definitions on that one.

You would be GTG with your pump action. Most of the semi autos on the market are OK too. I may be wrong but you run into problems with the saiga shotguns as I think they need to have a BB. I am sure if I am wrong someone will correct me.

You would not be ok with a semi auto with the PG collapsible stock. You also can't have a detachable mag on a semi auto.

You still have to register it in California when you move here.

Negative. Any handguns you bring with you have to be registered as you will be a personal handgun importer, but long guns are not included. Also, take note that this may be your last oportunity in a long time to buy any handguns not on CA's handgun roster. You can bring them with you as a personal handgun importer (and you can sell them to other people once you are here ) but once you are here as a resident, you can't buy anything you want anymore.

Check out the shotgun assault weapons flow chart for any potential 'assault weapon' issues.

http://www.calguns.net/caawid/sgflowchart.pdf

This and the AW flowchart are good friends of any CA gun owner.

Also, this is recent:

http://calgunsfoundation.org/index.php/resources/ccw-initiative

And finally welcome. If you post the area and day you are moving in, you just might get help unloading if you're interested.

[shortround1]

Registration is only for handguns.
http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/pubfaqs.php#24

Ah I see, thanks for the helpful link.

[SFgiants105]

You can still bring you're Colt upper and all the parts in the lower. You just need to buy a stripped lower receiver that isn't Colt or Armalite and a bullet button. And a ten round magazine.

Any semiauto shotgun that doesn't have a detachable mag and has at least an 18" barrel is fine. If it has a detachable magazine, it needs a bullet button as well. Aside from a spas 12 or 15, there isn't any pump that would be confused for a semi.

[ROCKETW19]

I am a noob, sorry. I did read through this site and could not find the answer to this question (and another about handguns that i posted in the other forum).

Basically i was wondering if there was an official california definition of what a semi-automatic shotgun was. I am moving to California soon and want to buy a home-defense shotgun to take with me before i head out there. Yes, I understand what semi-automatic is, but i wanted to make sure there wasn't some document somewhere that considers a pump action, under certain circumstances, to be semi automatic.

If i buy a pump-action shotgun that meets the 18" and 26" length requirements, that has BOTH a pistol grip AND a collapsable stock.. am i 100% ok?

Thanks everyone. This website is a goldmine for information. I am really looking forward to becoming a citizen of california (for everything except the gun laws). My beautiful Colt AR-15 will not be joining me, however

Yes on the pump you are good.

please buy a HK45 before you come here I will gladly buy it off ya as many others would also,lol.

[CaliforniaLiberal]

I am 100% in favor of supporting local businesses and fully plan on doing it by spending my money there on ammo, targets, and accessories. But if i buy the gun here in NH before i leave the state i don't have to be in any california registry database.. and that is a huge deal to me.

Long guns are not in any registry databases in California (unless they're Assault Weapons.) The record of sale is disposed of by the CA DOJ according to law. If you bring one with you you don't need to let anyone know about it, there is no "registration."

Hand gun sales records are kept by the DOJ. If you bring a hand gun with you there is a requirement (and a form) that you tell the DOJ about it. It does not need to be on the List of Not Unsafe Handguns. Handguns sold by a dealer on the other hand, must be on the list. Person to person handgun sales do NOT have to be on the list. Some Californians might be interested in off list handguns you might bring with you, although it isn't exactly kosher to bring guns with you with the intent to sell them here. But after you get here, if you should grow tired of one of your handguns, who could blame you for wanting to sell it?

Welcome to California gun laws. Have you heard the story about "Bullet Buttons" yet? People from out of state think we're making up tall tales, like Babe the Blue Ox. No single human being can claim to understand it all. This turns out to be a point of attack by gun rights lawsuits. If a law is too confusing or vague it can be invalidated in court.

[JagerTroop]

You can still bring you're Colt upper and all the parts in the lower. You just need to buy a stripped lower receiver that isn't Colt or Armalite and a bullet button. And a ten round magazine.

Any semiauto shotgun that doesn't have a detachable mag and has at least an 18" barrel is fine. If it has a detachable magazine, it needs a bullet button as well. Aside from a spas 12 or 15, there isn't any pump that would be confused for a semi.

First, there are many more banned lowers than just Colt and Armalite. Check out the flowchart and associated lists.

Second, Semi auto shotguns may not have a pGrip AND a collapsable/folding stock. One or the other. Most people opt for the pistol grip

Finally, SPAS 12s are banned by name (ETA- I coulda swore it was... not 100% sure, but researching), so, no-go. And for the record, they are semi auto as well.

ETA - Yup! Banned like The Diceman on Mtv. However, you can get the SAS 12. It's a pump only SPAS lookalike. SPAS12 furniture fits on it to give it the SPAS12 "Look".

[Quiet]

Aside from a spas 12 or 15, there isn't any pump that would be confused for a semi.

You forgot the Benelli M-3 and Beretta M-3P. Those are both pump/semi-auto selectable shotguns.

Berettta Holding Group owns Beretta, Benelli, Franchi, SAKO, Stoeger, Tikka and Uberti.
The Franchi SPAS-12 was discontinued due to the introduction of the Benelli M-3 Super 90.
The Franchi SPAS-15 was discontinued due to the introduction of the Beretta M-3P.