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An interpretation by the Bureau of Alcohol, rx Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives that pistol grip shotguns are not shotguns has created an unforeseen legal liability for owners of such firearms.
Certain commercially produced firearms do not fall within the definition of shotgun under the GCA even though they utilize a shotgun shell for ammunition. For example, firearms that come equipped with a pistol grip in place of the buttstock are not shotguns as defined by the GCA.
An October 27, 2010, letter from the Firearms Technology Branch ruled that such a firearm, with a 17″ barrel and 26-1/4″ overall length, was not subject to the National Firearms Act.
That would seem to indicate there’s no issue with violating National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record (NFRTR) requirements, right? No worries if you own one, or want to buy one…?
Not so fast. If the pistol grip firearms are not “shotguns,” what are they?-[source]
Um, its a shotgun, just with a pistol grip. I wonder what they would call a ballistic missile launcher if it had a pistol grip, because using this logic they certainly couldn’t call it a ballistic missile launcher!
I agree, but in the wisdom of the ruling class always looking to take a mile by us giving them an inch, re-classification from a long gun to a destructive device like any sidearm with a caliber larger than .50, will be just the beginning. Soon after .50BMG will reclassified a “destructive device”…
Then any rifle cart more powerful that .30-06, then any bottle necked rifle cart. We must fight this until the end.