crazyjennyblack
Member
- Joined
- May 19, 2008
- Messages
- 391
I was browsing the web and came across an interesting article. Apparently an artist made a homemade shotgun according to an improvised design in a military technical manual, and showed it as art. The BATF subsequently seized the piece and were able to get it to fire a round. Letters from the BATF and an image of the device are included on the website.
http://chadperson.com/recess/2011/04/is-it-illegal-to-build-a-homemade-shotgun.html
The questions in my mind about this are the following:
1. The BATF claims that the artist "participated in the manufacture of firearms" Isn't it legal to make a homemade shotgun or rifle, as long as you're not making an NFA item?
2. The picture of the shotgun shown in the article sure seems to have a barrel shorter than 18 inches and an overall length of less than 26 inches (bad... very bad). If the barrel length and overall length were increased, would the BATF still have a problem with it?
Disclaimer - Yes, making an improvised shotgun is a BAD idea, and this particular example looks like it is both illegal and highly dangerous! I have no intention of making one, and I strongly urge anyone who views this to use it as a legal educational example only. Failure to comply with all relevant laws, common sense, and safety guidelines can earn you lots of prison time, heavy fines, and/or injury/death.
http://chadperson.com/recess/2011/04/is-it-illegal-to-build-a-homemade-shotgun.html
The questions in my mind about this are the following:
1. The BATF claims that the artist "participated in the manufacture of firearms" Isn't it legal to make a homemade shotgun or rifle, as long as you're not making an NFA item?
2. The picture of the shotgun shown in the article sure seems to have a barrel shorter than 18 inches and an overall length of less than 26 inches (bad... very bad). If the barrel length and overall length were increased, would the BATF still have a problem with it?
Disclaimer - Yes, making an improvised shotgun is a BAD idea, and this particular example looks like it is both illegal and highly dangerous! I have no intention of making one, and I strongly urge anyone who views this to use it as a legal educational example only. Failure to comply with all relevant laws, common sense, and safety guidelines can earn you lots of prison time, heavy fines, and/or injury/death.