Importantly, I’ve never seen a reputable gun store or sporting goods store offer an illegal weapon for sale. So buying a gun from a store which has a Federal Firearms License (FFL) is a pretty safe bet. However, buying a gun from a private party can be a problem, particularly if the owner “built” the tactical or short-barrel shotgun from a sporting gun. If you are buying a used gun, it is your responsibility to make sure that it is a legal firearm.
For those who own a hunting shotgun that they don’t use, some are tempted to use a pipe cutter or hacksaw to shorten the barrel, or to cut-down the stock. Don’t. This is a quick way to get into serious legal trouble.
Though there is more to legality than the size of the gun, unless you have a special permit (NFA) from ATF, a shotgun must have a barrel that is at least 18-inches in length and an overall length of 26 ½ inches. Most firearm manufacturers exceed these minimums by 1/10 – 1/2 inch as a safeguard. This information is not to be construed as legal advice, and it may also be out of date when you read this, so be sure to check with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) before modifying a shotgun (www.atf.gov).
Federal law is strict and unforgiving when it comes to modifying weapons. If you want to adapt a gun that you already own, it is best to purchase a replacement barrel or stock made by a reputable company. Brownells and Midway USA are two of the many companies that sell legal parts. However, by the time you add up the cost of a new barrel, stock, and magazine extension tube, your purchases might rival the price of a new gun. Don’t assume that converting a hunting shotgun will be cost effective.
If you are determined to make your own modifications, be sure that you understand the law. The website for ATF (Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), the primary federal law enforcement agency which deals with firearms, is a good place to start: www.ATF.gov. Keep in mind that this agency is aggressive, and ignorance of the law is not an excuse, so be sure that you know what you are doing before you start modifying any firearm.
Though it would seem to be an obvious duty of ATF to provide easy-to-understand details of what the law requires, they apparently do not agree. It took me more than 6-months to obtain a PDF copy of the ATF handbook on the National Firearm Act which is distributed to law enforcement officers. This ATF document is now posted on the Resources page of the Texas Republic Firearms Academy (www.TXRFA.com) website. If you have an Internet connection while reading this book and would like to have this 209-page document, Click Here to download it.
If you are interested in purchasing a tactical shotgun or coach gun with a barrel shorter than 18-inches, you must first pay the NFA tax and obtain a special permit from ATF. For many people, this may be best accomplished through a legal trust. One of the most economical ways to undertake this process is to use the legal services of a company such as U.S. Law Shield (www.USLawShield.com). Expect to pay around $300 to establish an NFA trust, plus another $200 to the government. The process takes about 6-months to complete. If you use the legal services of U.S. Law Shield, be sure to enter the Promo Code TXRFA to obtain expeditious help.
Even if you are not interested in NFA, I encourage you to become a member of U.S. Law Shield. They are expanding nationwide but may not yet be in your state, but if they are, I encourage you to become a member today.
Membership in U.S. Gun Shield is different than registering for their NFA program. It is a legal assistance membership, designed to help you if you are ever involved in a shooting. Speaking as a former police officer, I can tell you that this assistance will likely be a godsend. Even if you were justified to use your firearm to protect yourself, it is still a big plus to have an attorney in your corner, helping you deal with the legal system. U.S. Law Shield has attorneys who specialize in this area of law, and their counsel can be invaluable. Membership in U.S. Law Shield gets you free legal counsel and representation. The promise of this legal assistance is worth every penny of the membership fee. For more on this service, visit U.S. Law Shield (www.USLawShield.com). If you use the Optional Promo Code TXRFA you will receive two free months of membership.
Copyright (c) 2012 Sig Swanstrom / www.TXRFA.com