ATF Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns
“ATF concludes that USPSA and ISPC events are not considered “sporting purpose” at this time. – AmmoLand”
Washington, DC –-(Ammoland.com)- ATF announces the publication of the Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns. To obtain comments from the affected industry, ATF will be accepting comments January 31, 2011, through May 1, 2011, at shotgunstudy@atf.gov
Brief Summary:
Firearm Features
In reviewing the shotguns used for those activities classified as sporting purposes, the working group examined State hunting laws, rules, and guidelines for shooting competitions and shooting organizations; industry advertisements and literature; scholarly and historical publications; and statistics on participation in the respective shooting sports.
Following this review, the working group determined that certain shotgun features are not particularly suitable or readily adaptable for sporting purposes.
These features include:
- Folding, telescoping, or collapsible stocks;
- bayonet lugs;
- flash suppressors;
- magazines over 5 rounds, or a drum magazine;
- grenade-launcher mounts;
- integrated rail systems (other than on top of the receiver or barrel);
- light enhancing devices;
- excessive weight (greater than 10 pounds for 12 gauge or smaller);
- excessive bulk (greater than 3 inches in width and/or greater than 4 inches in depth);
- forward pistol grips or other protruding parts designed or used for gripping the shotgun with the shooterfs extended hand.
Although the features listed above do not represent an exhaustive list of possible shotgun features, designs or characteristics, the working group determined that shotguns with any one of these features are most appropriate for military or law enforcement use. Therefore, shotguns containing any of these features are not particularly suitable for nor readily adaptable to generally recognized sporting purposes such as hunting, trap, sporting clay, and skeet shooting. Each of these features and an analysis of each of the determinations are included within the main body of the report.
The purpose of this study is to establish criteria that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will use to determine the importability of certain shotguns under the provisions of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA).