AOW question

[TeufelHunden0351]

Read a bunch of the older AOW related threads before posting this.

So I purchased an AOW (Typhoon 12), and now finding a FFL to do the transfer. My question is if the aow shows up at the FFL with an 16 or 18" barrel could it be Dros'd as a long gun? Since it's already an aow federally can the 16" barrel be changed out for the normal 8" barrel that goes on it?

[Quiet]

Per Federal laws...

It would have to be removed from the NFA registry as an AOW, then it can be transferred as a Title 1 Other.

If you want to retain it's Title 2 AOW status, it will need to be transferred as such.

[TeufelHunden0351]

Per Federal laws...

It would have to be removed from the NFA registry as an AOW, then it can be transferred as a Title 1 Other.

If you want to retain it's Title 2 AOW status, it will need to be transferred as such.

Wouldn't a 16" barrel less than 26" make it retain its status as an aow but fulfil the CA requirement for it to be DROS'd as a long gun?

[Quiet]

I'm guessing you want to be able to have it DROS'd as a "long gun" in order to avoid the issue with CA unsafe handgun laws.

Under CA laws...

A "handgun" is a firearm with a less than 16" barrel length. It also includes a firearm that has both a less than 16" barrel length and a 16" or greater barrel length. [PC 16530(a)]

So, attaching a 16" or greater barrel length to a firearm which normally has a less than 16" barrel length, will still cause it to be considered a "handgun".

A "handgun" can also be considered a SBR/SBS, if it meets CA's definition of a SBR/SBS. [PC 16530(b)]
Title 2 AOW status makes it exempt from CA SBR/SBS laws. [PC 17710(a)]

Therefore, no matter what barrel length is installed, the Title 2 AOW would still have to be DROS'd as a "handgun".

Because of CA unsafe handgun laws, the "handgun" needs to be listed on the Roster of Handguns Certified for Sale or be exempt from it.

A manually operated "handgun" can still be modified to be exempt from CA unsafe handgun laws via SSE2.
This will need to be done out-of-state prior to importation into CA or be done by a CA 07-FFL.


The Typhoon 12 AOW can be made into a SSE2 compliant pistol by fixing a 0 round mag/sled into the magazine well, this would make it a dimensionally compliant "bolt-action" single-shot pistol.

There are a few CA FFL/SOT that still make/import/transfer Title 2 AOW using SSE2.
(since "bolt-action" is not defined under CA laws... "pump-action" is technically a type of "bolt-action")

[Quiet]

Then again... (been thinking this over)

Installing an 18" barrel length to it, so that it's considered a "long gun" under CA laws...

If it is DROS's as a "long gun".
It would be done as (category) long gun (subcategory) shotgun.

Since it is a Title 2 AOW, it is exempt from CA SBR/SBS laws.

So, reducing the barrel length to less than 18" would not violate CA SBR/SBS laws.

If barrel length is kept at 16" or greater, then it would not trigger CA unsafe handgun laws.

If barrel length is reduced to less than 16" or greater, then it could trigger CA unsafe handgun laws. Due to making an unsafe handgun, unless it is done via SSE2.

Hmmm...

You need to talk with a CA FFL/SOT and determine how comfortable/adventurous they are in going down this route, since they'll be the ones gambling their FFL on it.

[TeufelHunden0351]

Thanks dude