Question about rules on a shotgun.....

Bob243 · January 27, 2001, 11:08 AM

I am not sure if I posted this in the correct forum, but I was looking through a H&K Catalog, they have a shotgun with a 14"barrel, there is a note on it that BATF Charges Apply...

What does BATF Charges apply mean? What are they for and how much???

Thanks,
Bob

ctdonath · January 27, 2001, 01:00 PM

Shotguns with barrles under 18" are in the same legal category as machineguns, as defined by the National Fireams Act of 1934 (NFA). To legally obtain one, you must fill out some BATF paperwork, get fingerprinted, get photographed, get permission of your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (sheriff, judge, AG, DA, ...), wait a couple months for the BATF to process all this, and pay a $200 tax. For all this red tape, time, money, and possible hassles (CLEOs often refuse to sign - no signature, no gun), you get federal permission to possess the gun, your name on permanent federal records as "owner of really nasty gun", and must ask the BATF for permission to take it out of state.

Go hang out in TFL's "Full Auto" forum for a while; the focus there is on machineguns but is a catch-all for any NFA-related guns and issues.

Be aware too that many states prohibit short-barreled shotguns.

Bob243 · January 27, 2001, 03:47 PM

OK, I was just wondering what that ment.... Thanks for your info....

**Rich Lucibella** · January 27, 2001, 04:30 PM

Even though the question's been answered, we'll move this to the Shotgun Forum for posterity.
Rich

Gorthaur · January 27, 2001, 04:47 PM

I was under the impression that a shotgun manufactured with a short barrel was an AOW (any other weapon), with a $5 tax instead of a $200 tax. Of course, it's a moot point if you live in one of the states that doesn't allow it at all.

Monkeyleg · January 27, 2001, 05:13 PM

Not to mention that in many cities the chief law enforcement officer is often pressured into not signing the Form 4's, even though the law mandates that he must. If you want to challenge him, you can spend $20,000 to $30,000 to sue him. You'll win, but that's a lot of dough.

Dick

fal308 · January 28, 2001, 10:58 AM

Gorthaur
If it was originally prodcued as a shotgun (i.e. with a buttstock) then it is legally considered a short barrelled shotgun (sbs). If the receiver came new from the factory and has never had a buttstock attached and was originally built in it's class three configuartion (pistol grop stock nd short barrel) then it's an AOW (Any Other Weapon). HTH

January 27, 2001, 04:47 PM	#5
Gorthaur Senior Member Join Date: January 19, 2000 Posts: 846	I was under the impression that a shotgun manufactured with a short barrel was an AOW (any other weapon), with a $5 tax instead of a $200 tax. Of course, it's a moot point if you live in one of the states that doesn't allow it at all. __________________ 911 - Gov't-sponsored dial-a-prayer! Support the US Olympic Shooting Team! Protect your Right to Keep and Bear Arms!

January 27, 2001, 11:08 AM	#1
Bob243 Member Join Date: December 2, 2000 Posts: 54	I am not sure if I posted this in the correct forum, but I was looking through a H&K Catalog, they have a shotgun with a 14"barrel, there is a note on it that BATF Charges Apply... What does BATF Charges apply mean? What are they for and how much??? Thanks, Bob

January 27, 2001, 01:00 PM	#2
ctdonath Senior Member Join Date: April 11, 1999 Posts: 1,904	Shotguns with barrles under 18" are in the same legal category as machineguns, as defined by the National Fireams Act of 1934 (NFA). To legally obtain one, you must fill out some BATF paperwork, get fingerprinted, get photographed, get permission of your local Chief Law Enforcement Officer (sheriff, judge, AG, DA, ...), wait a couple months for the BATF to process all this, and pay a $200 tax. For all this red tape, time, money, and possible hassles (CLEOs often refuse to sign - no signature, no gun), you get federal permission to possess the gun, your name on permanent federal records as "owner of really nasty gun", and must ask the BATF for permission to take it out of state. Go hang out in TFL's "Full Auto" forum for a while; the focus there is on machineguns but is a catch-all for any NFA-related guns and issues. Be aware too that many states prohibit short-barreled shotguns.

January 27, 2001, 03:47 PM	#3
Bob243 Member Join Date: December 2, 2000 Posts: 54	OK, I was just wondering what that ment.... Thanks for your info....

January 27, 2001, 04:30 PM	#4
Rich Lucibella Staff Join Date: October 6, 1998 Location: South Florida Posts: 10,229	Even though the question's been answered, we'll move this to the Shotgun Forum for posterity. Rich

January 27, 2001, 05:13 PM	#6
Monkeyleg Senior Member Join Date: January 25, 2000 Posts: 4,625	Not to mention that in many cities the chief law enforcement officer is often pressured into not signing the Form 4's, even though the law mandates that he must. If you want to challenge him, you can spend $20,000 to $30,000 to sue him. You'll win, but that's a lot of dough. Dick

January 28, 2001, 10:58 AM	#7
fal308 Staff Alumnus Join Date: October 12, 1998 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,992	Gorthaur If it was originally prodcued as a shotgun (i.e. with a buttstock) then it is legally considered a short barrelled shotgun (sbs). If the receiver came new from the factory and has never had a buttstock attached and was originally built in it's class three configuartion (pistol grop stock nd short barrel) then it's an AOW (Any Other Weapon). HTH