So here in WA short barreled shotguns are illegal, and while I'm a law abiding citizen, I'd really like to have a shorter shotgun than my 20" mossberg 590 for maneuvering around my apartment. (and before anyone chimes in, my apartment is the back side of a house that no one else lives in, and my neighbors are far enough away that's over penetration is not a concern).
I'd love to have a 14" barreled shotgun with a full stock for home defense, but SBSs are completely illegal for some reason. However, shotguns that are considered "any other weapon (AOW)" because they come with pistol grips are perfectly legal here.
The washington state law states that one of the main prerequisites of a shotgun is that it be intended to be fired from the shoulder.
So, my question is, can a shotgun that was original designated as an AOW, have a stock added to it, and still be considered an AOW, or does it immediately become a SBS?
And as a side note, does anyone know why SBSs are illegal in washington, or any state for that matter, while shotguns like the above are perfectly legal and actually require a much cheaper tax?
I'd love to have a 14" barreled shotgun with a full stock for home defense, but SBSs are completely illegal for some reason. However, shotguns that are considered "any other weapon (AOW)" because they come with pistol grips are perfectly legal here.
The washington state law states that one of the main prerequisites of a shotgun is that it be intended to be fired from the shoulder.
So, my question is, can a shotgun that was original designated as an AOW, have a stock added to it, and still be considered an AOW, or does it immediately become a SBS?
And as a side note, does anyone know why SBSs are illegal in washington, or any state for that matter, while shotguns like the above are perfectly legal and actually require a much cheaper tax?