? RE Sawed-Off Shotguns

[LovnTheFuzz]

Shotgun in question has a barrel length of 18 1/4''. JUST the barrel.
It has a non-folding stock, and no fore-end.

I think i am correct in that if the barrel is over 18'' - it's legal.
Is this a federal law? (if no, is it OK in the state of California?)

Since this gun is so close to the 18'' limit - i wonder if an LEO would actually bother to measure it if found and/or are you required to? IE: A concern is transporting it, getting pulled over, letting the officer know there is a weapon in the car... and everything possibly going downhill from there...

What say ye fine LEO's of O.com?

[Bodie]

Sounds like a Remington 870 with a deer barrel.
sawed off means just that one sawed off by the gun owner to an extremely short length

[mobrien316]

Shotgun in question has a barrel length of 18 1/4''. JUST the barrel.
It has a non-folding stock, and no fore-end.

I think i am correct in that if the barrel is over 18'' - it's legal.
Is this a federal law? (if no, is it OK in the state of California?)

Since this gun is so close to the 18'' limit - i wonder if an LEO would actually bother to measure it if found and/or are you required to? IE: A concern is transporting it, getting pulled over, letting the officer know there is a weapon in the car... and everything possibly going downhill from there...

What say ye fine LEO's of O.com?

I believe the pertinent Federal law only applies if you are transporting the weapon across state line. The United States Code gives this definition:

[I]18 USC 921(a)(6) The term

[LovnTheFuzz]

Thanks Mobrien...

[QUOTE]California does have a prohibition on short barreled shotguns. I was unable to find California

[pkagel]

CA is in line w/ Fed law when it comes to shotgun/rifle barrel length per PC 12020

(2) As used in this section, a "short-barreled rifle" means any of
the following:
(A) A rifle having a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in
length.
(B) A rifle with an overall length of less than 26 inches.
(C) Any weapon made from a rifle (whether by alteration,
modification, or otherwise) if that weapon, as modified, has an
overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less
than 16 inches in length.

(c) (1) As used in this section, a "short-barreled shotgun" means
any of the following:
(A) A firearm which is designed or redesigned to fire a fixed
shotgun shell and having a barrel or barrels of less than 18 inches
in length.
(B) A firearm which has an overall length of less than 26 inches
and which is designed or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell.
(C) Any weapon made from a shotgun (whether by alteration,
modification, or otherwise) if that weapon, as modified, has an
overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or barrels of less
than 18 inches in length.

If you want an easier version of CA law that is much simpler to read and look pertinent stuff up in then join my yahoo group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CABasicPolice/
After you join go to the files and download "Learning Domains" where I have the bulk of my academy notes.

[LovnTheFuzz]

Sounds like a Remington 870 with a deer barrel.
sawed off means just that one sawed off by the gun owner to an extremely short length

No, it's not a Rem; and i know.

If you want an easier version of CA law that is much simpler to read and look pertinent stuff up in then join my yahoo group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CABasicPolice/
After you join go to the files and download "Learning Domains" where I have the bulk of my academy notes.

Thankyou for the info! I will check that out. I guess it couldn't hurt to have a tape measure in the car if it's transported, just in case!

BTW, the overall length is 36''
So on both accounts, this gun seems to be within legal limits.

[Rally]

Fo by pkagel's post. You can have a sawed off shotgun aslong as it meets those limits. Your 18 inch barrel is ok, but is the whole gun with the barrel attached under 26 inches? If so then it is illegal.