Posession of shotgun, slugs, buckshot illegal anywhere in US?

A few shotguns fall under California's assault weapon classification. So no pistol grips AND telescoping stocks together. From what I can find quickly through Google, you can have one or the other but not both.

Buckshot is illegal to use in some states for deer hunting such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. As far as using slugs, California is pushing for using lead free ammo in all their firearms. So it looks like you would have to find copper slugs. Good luck finding that stuff for a decent price. Shotguns are relatively free of restrictions except when used for hunting, so based on what I can find, you should be fairly safe legally.

NOT LEGAL ADVICE: You also have the issue that possession of firearms that are unregistered is a problem in some states. Just because a break-action, single-shot shotgun is a non-banned gun in NYC doesn't mean that anyone can own or possess such a gun in NYC... you might have to have a NY-specific registration and permit for it.

My recollection is that, at least pre-Heller, just having a single round of ammo of ANY TYPE in DC was illegal if you didn't possess a DC registration for a gun of that caliber. I was in school there at the time, and used to have to go through my car very carefully on my way back from visits home where we had gone shooting... even a single empty shell casing was a big deal.

In Vermont:

https://law.justia.com/codes/vermont/2012/title10/chapter113/section4705/

(b) A person shall not carry or possess while in or on a vehicle propelled by mechanical power or drawn by a vehicle propelled by mechanical power within the right of way of a public highway a rifle or shotgun containing a loaded cartridge or shell in the chamber, mechanism, or in a magazine, or clip within a rifle or shotgun, or a muzzle-loading rifle or shotgun that has been charged with powder and projectile and the ignition system of which has been enabled by having an affixed or attached percussion cap, primer, battery, or priming powder...

So while your gun (and ammo) isn't illegal here, having it loaded in your vehicle on public roads is...

herrwalther said:

A few shotguns fall under California's assault weapon classification. So no pistol grips AND telescoping stocks together. From what I can find quickly through Google, you can have one or the other but not both.

Buckshot is illegal to use in some states for deer hunting such as Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York. As far as using slugs, California is pushing for using lead free ammo in all their firearms. So it looks like you would have to find copper slugs. Good luck finding that stuff for a decent price. Shotguns are relatively free of restrictions except when used for hunting, so based on what I can find, you should be fairly safe legally.

Click to expand...

In regards to California...

CA assault weapons laws for shotguns only applies to semi-auto shotguns and shotguns with a revolving cylinder.
Which means it is CA legal for a pump-action shotgun to have a pistol grip and a folding/extending stock.
It is also be CA legal for a pump-action shotgun to use detachable magazines.

CA SBS laws are stricter than Federal SBS laws.
Under CA laws, a firearm that can shoot a shotgun shell and has a barrel length of less than 18" or an overall length of less than 26" is considered a SBS.
CA measures overall length with the firearm in the shortest possible firing configuration (stock folded/collapsed).

CA lead free ammo laws only applies when hunting.
Which means lead ammo is CA legal when used in self-defense and target shooting.

CA large capacity magazine laws would prohibit the importation of a pump-action shotgun with a fixed tubular magazine that has a capacity of more than 10 rounds.
CA measures capacity on tubular magazine using the firearm manfuacturer's listed shell length for the firearm.
^Example... Mossberg 590 is marked for 3" shells, so 3" shells are used to determine it's legal capacity.

CA ammo laws prohibits the importation of incendiary, explosive, tracer, and flechette ammo.
^There is an exemption for shotgun tracers.

In Wisconsin it depend on the time of year (Gun Deer). This is what the Wisconsin deer hunting regulations say about that.

It is illegal to:
•
hunt with or while in possession of buckshot while hunting deer, except a hunter may
possess buckshot for harvesting a bobcat during a deer season if in possession of a
valid, unfilled bobcat harvest permit for an open bobcat season

Strange that many places ban buckshot for hunting bucks...

I wouldnt keep it loaded. If anything keep it in a trunk and ammo in the glove box, load it when you make camp etc.

Elkins45 said:

Are there any states where it is not legal to posess buckshot? How about rifled slugs?

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As far as I know, there are no states that prohibit the possession of either buckshot or slugs. There may be state regulations governing their use for hunting, but if you aren't obviously hunting, it's not something of great concern. Game wardens have a tendency to observe your behavior before concluding whether you're hunting or not.

If you're really concerned as to the legality of their possession, make a list of the states through which you will be traveling and Google a gun shop in each of those states. Call one shop in each state and ask if they stock slugs or buckshot. If the answer is yes, they're legal to possess.

The main thing, when traveling with any firearm, is to abide by the rules/laws governing the storage of the firearm when traveling in your vehicle.

Hunter86004 said:

As far as I know, there are no states that prohibit the possession of either buckshot or slugs.

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Massachusetts requires a license to be in possession of any ammunition or even ammunition components.

Washington DC is pretty bad about ammo as well as firearms. The District of Columbia requires individuals to register their ammunition. When a person is driving in DC with ammunition that has not been registered, they can be charged with the unlawful possession of ammunition, which has the same penalties as the misdemeanor unlawful possession of a firearm.

There is an interstate transportation of firearms exception if you are traveling through DC from one jurisdiction to another (i.e. VA through to MD, or vice versa), do not stop, and the ammunition is locked up away from the driver’s reach either in the trunk or in a locked box in the back of their vehicle. However, if you manage to get yourself pulled over by any of the 28 or so law enforcement agencies doing their thing around DC, and they discover ammunition, be prepared for a major hassle.

Elkins45 said:

That’s good to know. Thanks.

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Ohio is the same way. No loaded longguns at all and no loaded handguns unless you have a valid CCW permit.

IMHO, might be easier to get a 44mag revolver. Not usually on gun banning lists, easier to carry than a shotgun and you can keep it loaded anywhere your CCW permit is valid. Just plan the states you visit based on where your permit is valid.

Here is Kentucky.
http://handgunlaw.us/states/kentucky.pdf

What I've wondered for the past month is, what does an 8 round tube mag even mean? Usually that's based on 2 3/4" shells and most will only take seven 3" mag shells. But what does "round capacity" mean when loaded with Aguila minishells (or hand loaded shells that've been cut down)?
I occasionally order off the wall cartridges like the Minishell, rarely shooting them but just to have a box or two because they don't often stick round long. I haven't opened mind to see how many I could load in my Mossberg 590 which can be loaded with eight 2 3/4" shells. So is anyone aware of any laws re: tube magazine capacity which would be adhered to with regular sized shells but exceeded by these Minishells?

CLP said:

What I've wondered for the past month is, what does an 8 round tube mag even mean? Usually that's based on 2 3/4" shells and most will only take seven 3" mag shells. But what does "round capacity" mean when loaded with Aguila minishells (or hand loaded shells that've been cut down)?
I occasionally order off the wall cartridges like the Minishell, rarely shooting them but just to have a box or two because they don't often stick round long. I haven't opened mind to see how many I could load in my Mossberg 590 which can be loaded with eight 2 3/4" shells. So is anyone aware of any laws re: tube magazine capacity which would be adhered to with regular sized shells but exceeded by these Minishells?

Click to expand...

CA large capacity magazine laws apply to fixed tubular magazines on shotguns (exemption to this for lever-action shotguns).
Which makes it illegal to import, make, or transfer a fixed tubular magazine on a shotgun that has a capacity of greater than 10 rounds.
.
CA measures capacity on tubular magazine using the firearm manfuacturer's listed shell length for the firearm.
Which means...
~Benelli SuperNova is marked for 3.5" shells, so 3.5" shells are used to determine it's legal capacity.
~Mossberg 590 is marked for 3" shells, so 3" shells are used to determine it's legal capacity.

CA also considers multiple tubular magazines to be seperate ammunition feeding devices if it takes a manual action to switch feeding from one tubular magazine to another. But, if the multiple tubular magazines can automatically feed from one tubular magazine to another, then all the tubular magazines are considered a single ammunition feeding device.
Which means...
~UTAS UTS-15 (marked for 3" shells) has two fixed tubular magazines and can automatically switch from feeding from one tubular magazine to the other. This makes the capacity to be 12 rounds, which makes it illegal in CA due to the ammunition feeding device having a capacity of greater than 10 rounds.
~Kel-Tec KSG-25 (marked for 3" shells) has two fixed tubular magazines and requires a manual action to switch from feeding from one tubular magazine to the other. This makes the capacity to be 10 rounds + 10 rounds, which makes it CA legal due to the ammunition feeding devices having a capacity of less than 11 rounds.
^It' still CA legal even though capacity with 2.75" shells is 12+12 and capacity with 1.75" shells is 20+20.

Be careful if traveling through most of the mid Atlantic and NE states as many can be tough on out of state gun owners.

Many towns/cities will have stricter rules over regular state laws, so avoid big cities if possible

Quiet said:

In regards to California...

CA assault weapons laws for shotguns only applies to semi-auto shotguns and shotguns with a revolving cylinder.
Which means it is CA legal for a pump-action shotgun to have a pistol grip and a folding/extending stock.
It is also be CA legal for a pump-action shotgun to use detachable magazines.

CA SBS laws are stricter than Federal SBS laws.
Under CA laws, a firearm that can shoot a shotgun shell and has a barrel length of less than 18" or an overall length of less than 26" is considered a SBS.
CA measures overall length with the firearm in the shortest possible firing configuration (stock folded/collapsed).

CA lead free ammo laws only applies when hunting.
Which means lead ammo is CA legal when used in self-defense and target shooting.

CA large capacity magazine laws would prohibit the importation of a pump-action shotgun with a fixed tubular magazine that has a capacity of more than 10 rounds.
CA measures capacity on tubular magazine using the firearm manfuacturer's listed shell length for the firearm.
^Example... Mossberg 590 is marked for 3" shells, so 3" shells are used to determine it's legal capacity.

CA ammo laws prohibits the importation of incendiary, explosive, tracer, and flechette ammo.
^There is an exemption for shotgun tracers.

Click to expand...

So that makes something like the Mossberg Shockwave illegal to carry in your car loaded?

Just a heads up it is against the law to to have a loaded shotgun in you vehicle and accessible in NE, no exceptions. I guess too many road hunters.

macadore said:

So that makes something like the Mossberg Shockwave illegal to carry in your car loaded?

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Title 1 Other firearms like the Mossberg Shockwave and Remington TAC-14 are considered SBS under CA laws. [CA PC 17180]
Which makes importation and possession of those types of firearms, in CA, a felony. [CA PC 33215]
^Regardless if it's loaded or not.

Anyone know if its legal to keep a loaded shotgun in you car in FL, GA, or AL?

My main concern is if I have to bug out due to a major storm and all the uncertainty that results.