How is this legal?

[macadore]

You can buy a flare pistol with a 12 gauge insert.

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/geco-flare-gun.aspx?a=244492

Why isn't that a short barreled shotgun?

 

[Frozen North]

Says it is a shorter chamber that will not accept a shot gun shell. I don't know what end of the muzzle I would rather be on if it would chamber one.

 

[Chopdoktor]

They're modified to keep people from using shotgun shells in them. You'll likely find yourself less one hand, should you decide to get clever and use a "shorty" 12 gauge round like the ones made by Aguila. This same factory precaution also precludes you from using a 12 gauge flare insert to fire a shotgun shell from one of those 37mm flare launchers that are sold to imitate the M204 under-barrel grenade launcher... in addition to the fact that it would probably shatter the thing, or crack the mounts.

 

[WardenWolf]

Years ago there WERE a few 12-gauge flare pistols strong enough to handle a true 12 gauge round. However, those are now highly illegal since they are classified as a smoothbore pistol (an AOW).

 

[LHRGunslinger]

It's intended puprose is to fire 12 guage flares and probably only built to withstand the relatively low pressures involved in that task.

 

[1stmarine]

No legal. sorry.

 

[kingpin008]

No legal. sorry.

If by "no legal" you mean "not legal" you'd be wrong, for the reasons mentioned above.

 

[Guns and more]

I had one on my boat. Never thought of putting a shotgun shell in it.
It was plastic, I was never confident of shooting a flare out of it, let alone a 12 ga.

 

[FIVETWOSEVEN]

I wouldn't try it...

 

[S.W.G.]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0MPW5Q_N4A

 

[TriTone]

it say right on the page there in bold print that a regular 12 gauge round wont fit in it.