ATF position on pistol grip 'shotguns' creates new danger

[pat038536]

Is this still accurate? I just read this today. Is this something we need to be concerned with?

http://www.examiner.com/gun-rights-in-national/atf-position-on-pistol-grip-shotguns-creates-new-danger

An interpretation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that pistol grip shotguns are not shotguns has created an unforeseen legal liability for owners of such firearms. ATF’s Nov. 2009 FFL Newsletter declared:http://www.nfaoa.org/documents/ffl-n...er-2009-11.pdf

[PolishMike]

Its a "other" firearm.

This article seems like the author tried to write about something he knew nothing about.

Destructive Device= Any non-sporting firearm with a bore over 0.50", such as a 40mm grenade launcher often used in conjunction with military rifles. (Many firearms with bores over 0.50", such as 12-gauge shotguns, are exempted from the law because they have been determined to have a legitimate sporting use.)

[freonr22]

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=361451

some discussion here

[Kharn]

Pistol-grip-only firearms have been unable to be sold as shotguns since at least 1998. What do you see as the potential issue? They are "Title I Firearms" and in free states they can be sold to anyone over 21 like other Title I Firearms (1919A4, etc). Firearms using 12ga shells are presumed to be sporting unless declared otherwise (USAS12, Stryker and Street Sweeper were declared DDs by Clinton by name).

[freonr22]

ohh noe, my mossberg 500 w/ a pistol grip is illegal

[bwiese]

Again, anyone with a standard Mossberg 500 "Cruiser" or PG-only 870, etc. which has an 18" or longer barrel/26" length is fine and has nothing to worry about.

[winnre]

A shotgun is a shoulder fired firearm. I pick up my Serbu tomorrow, it fires 12ga shells but is not a shotgun. The Taurus Judge is not a shotgun either.

By having a 17" barrel he made an AOW, correct?

[Kharn]

No, that is the point of the latest letter. The definition of AOW includes 'concealable' and the ATF has used <26" as the benchmark for concealable since 1934. So, they grudgingly admitted that if you made a smooth-bore pistol-grip-only weapon that was over 26" in length it would not be an AOW, regardless of barrel length.

[winnre]

No, that is the point of the latest letter. The definition of AOW includes 'concealable' and the ATF has used <26" as the benchmark for concealable since 1934. So, they grudgingly admitted that if you made a smooth-bore pistol-grip-only weapon that was over 26" in length it would not be an AOW, regardless of barrel length.

Interesting pickle as yes a shotgun needs a stock.

[bwiese]

I really wish this thread hadn't come up.

It added (incorrectly) perceived worry to the common 18"bbl/26" OAL "Cruiser" PG-only shotgun situation where there is none.

[ke6guj]

the concern about this has been around for years, with the assumption that ATF dropped the ball by allowing PG-only "shotguns" to be sold for years without calling them DDs. Some people saw that there was a potential DD issue but by ATF not calling them DDs and allowing them to be sold, they basicially "confirmed" the legality of them.