Legal questions

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10-30-2006, 02:59 PM
nukehayes

Legal questions

What legal hoops do I have to jump through to turn a side by side shotgun into a pistol with short barrels and pistol grip? I saw an old John Wayne movie, El Dorado, I think where there was one. I also read an article in an old gun magazine were a guys cut one down and used it to kill snakes with. He did it all legally and I had some interest in doing this as well, some time in my life. I realize it would be totally impractical, but I am always asking 'what if' and 'how do I...' Any help appreciated.
10-30-2006, 03:30 PM
Mr. P

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukehayes

What legal hoops do I have to jump through to turn a side by side shotgun into a pistol with short barrels and pistol grip? I saw an old John Wayne movie, El Dorado, I think where there was one. I also read an article in an old gun magazine were a guys cut one down and used it to kill snakes with. He did it all legally and I had some interest in doing this as well, some time in my life. I realize it would be totally impractical, but I am always asking 'what if' and 'how do I...' Any help appreciated.

Me too, then I add "why".
10-30-2006, 03:38 PM
Shipwreck

From what I have gathered from reading over the years....

U gotta pay a fee to the ATF - complete some forms, and get the head law enforcement official in your county (typically the Sheriff) to sign off on it. So, I think U would have to get the forms and set up an apt with the Sheriff. He may want to know about you and speak w/ U briefly as to "why" U want this. Or, it may be simple to do.

I am not 100% sure, but when I was reading some posts about getting a shorter barrel for the PS90 carbine, someone mentioned something about being limited on where you can bring the gun. I assume U can't leave the county or at least the state with such a weapon.
10-30-2006, 04:21 PM
nukehayes

I thought after you went through the paper work it was legally considered a handgun and it shouldn't matter if it leaves the county/state.
10-30-2006, 05:32 PM
-gunut-

If you look over at the general semi-auto area I posted a question on how to do this not to long ago. First you want to put a pistol grip on the shotgun. (you can do this right now) then you do the forms through ATF to make it an AOW. It is not considered a pistol. The tax stamp will be $200. Or you an find one already made online and do the $5 transfer fee. When you shorten the bbl i believe that you have to engrave some of your info on it so it is marked. You must also make sure a copy of the stamp is with the shotty everywhere you take it!

If you leave the stock and try to shorten the bbl it will be considered a Short bbl shotty (SBS). So stock of first then do what ya got to do with the ATF.

If you look on their website I believe there is some sort of restriction with transporting a modified weapon on the interstate (or something) so you may want to look into that.

Hope this helps
10-30-2006, 05:38 PM
-gunut-

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#a1

"(M21) Does the registered owner of a destructive device, machine gun, short-barreled shotgun, or short-barreled rifle need authorization to lawfully transport such items interstate? [Back]

Yes, unless the owner is a qualified dealer, manufacturer or importer, or a licensed collector transporting only curios or relics. Prior approval must be obtained, even if the move is temporary. Approval is requested by either submitting a letter containing all necessary information, or by submitting ATF Form 5320.20 to the Bureau of ATF, NFA Branch. Possession of the firearms also must comply with all State and local laws. "

"(M22) If an individual is changing his or her State of residence and the individual’s application to transport the NFA firearm cannot be approved because of a prohibition in the new State, what options does a lawful possessor have? [Back]

NFA firearms may be left in a safe deposit box in his or her former State of residence. Also, the firearm could be left or stored in the former State of residence at the house of a friend or relative in a locked room or container to which only the registered owner has a key. The friend or relative should be supplied with a copy of the registration forms and a letter from the owner authorizing storage of the firearm at that location.

The firearms may also be transferred under the procedures referred to in Question M15 or abandoned to ATF."
10-30-2006, 06:11 PM
Shipwreck

What he said....
10-30-2006, 08:54 PM
nukehayes

Cool, thanks a lot. I thought it would be a lot more difficult than that.
10-30-2006, 08:55 PM
Shipwreck

Well, the biggest holdup is if your sheriff refuses to sign the papers...
10-30-2006, 10:30 PM
-gunut-

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

Well, the biggest holdup is if your sheriff refuses to sign the papers...

I am not sure if he really has to with that....

If the Sheriff says no he can always go do a PD and ask
10-30-2006, 11:15 PM
2400

Quote:

Originally Posted by nukehayes

Cool, thanks a lot. I thought it would be a lot more difficult than that.

Here's a link from the CT state page. You'll have to cut and paste it.

http://www.ct.gov/bfpe/cwp/view.asp?a=1251&q=254198&bfpeNav=|
10-31-2006, 06:03 AM
Shipwreck

Quote:

Originally Posted by -gunut-

I am not sure if he really has to with that....

If the Sheriff says no he can always go do a PD and ask

I have always heard that it must be the chief law enforcement officer in the county - and only him. Like I originally said - I have never done this before. But, I have read many, many posts about it over the years. And, I have seen many upset individuals cursing their local sheriff online....
10-31-2006, 09:39 AM
-gunut-

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

I have always heard that it must be the chief law enforcement officer in the county - and only him. Like I originally said - I have never done this before. But, I have read many, many posts about it over the years. And, I have seen many upset individuals cursing their local sheriff online....

I think that is for machine gun though. Maybe I am wrong. In the description of that the ATF says you could get a Sheriff or Head PD official to sign. Head LEO of your area is kinda open to interpretation. Like the head of your city could be considered your area. I dunno....
10-31-2006, 03:51 PM
rfawcs

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shipwreck

I have always heard that it must be the chief law enforcement officer in the county - and only him. Like I originally said - I have never done this before. But, I have read many, many posts about it over the years. And, I have seen many upset individuals cursing their local sheriff online....

Check with your state police or with a local Class 3/NFA dealer; they should be able to point you in the right direction.

Each state that permits NFA items will have its own process for the paperwork. In Maryland, the application is processed through the state police firearms registration division in Jessup. They do a background check and the form is signed off by a state police officer who represents the Attorney General, who is the chief law enforcement officer. In some states, that sign-off is done at the county level. It just depends on where you live.

I've read that if you form a corporation and register the NFA item in the corporation name, you skip the CLEO sign-off. Can't vouch for that.