Yes, in many places and states, a Sawn-Off shotgun is actually illegal. But, one super important thing to note here is that if that sawn-off shotgun is properly registered with the ATF under the National Firearms Act, then you’re pretty much good to go and legally own it in the United States. To know more about the laws surrounding this type of gun, just keep on reading.
What Exactly Is a Sawn-Off Shotgun?
For those who have little to no idea about this type of gun, well, a sawn-off shotgun is a short-barreled shotgun, or simply a short-barreled one, and is basically a regular one with the shortened length of a barrel. Generally, shotguns have longer barrels, but in case the barrel is less than 18 inches or the total length of the gun is under 26 inches, the shot is law-wise considered short-barreled in the United States.
Just so you know, though, if a gun’s barrel is cut, it does not enhance the power of the gun; in fact, it just makes the gun lighter to carry and more convenient to put in your pocket or bag. In most cases, accuracy and stability are even decreased. That’s the main point, which is different from the rest of the things that you have to understand.
Federal Law You Should Know
The main law involved here is the National Firearms Act (NFA) of 1934. It states that any individual cannot own a shotgun with a barrel of less than 18 inches unless a special permit is secured from the federal government. Plain and simple!
To get that permission, you’ll need to:
- Register the firearm with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- Complete the required paperwork
- Submit fingerprints and pass a background check
- Pay a $200 tax stamp
Once you have the approval, the tax stamp will be sent to you. The tax stamp is the official document that allows you to have the sawn-off shotgun. Just like that!
On the other hand, a barrel of a shotgun that is cut at your home without going through this process is regarded as a serious crime at the federal level and is penalized with a jail term of up to 10 years, a fine of $10,000, or both.
State Laws and Restrictions
See, it is true that currently, every state has its own laws about firearms. For example, in a state such as California or New York, a short-barreled shotgun would not be allowed even if it were a registered one.
Also, a person can legally own a short-barreled shotgun in New Mexico only if it is registered with the ATF, as New Mexico is a state that abides by federal regulations. Not registering it will be considered illegal possession at once.
Though one more thing to note here, which is super important, is that any person with a felony, a domestic violence conviction, or certain court orders is completely prohibited from owning a gun of any kind. Moreover, individuals under 19 years are mostly not allowed to have a handgun; however, there could be some exceptions for rifles and shotguns.
Why the Government Regulates Sawn-Off Shotguns
The short answer is that the reason is simply that they are easier to hide.
A small shotgun can be put away in a closet or a unit of a vehicle without being noticed, which is why in the beginning of the 1900s they were the most used ones by criminals. The government then intervened by passing the NFA to put an end to this.
Firstly, the muzzle velocity is shortened; therefore, the pellets spread to a bigger area, and the risk of the innocent targets getting hit increases. This is a further reason for imposing such harsh regulations.
