legality of shortened shotgun barrel (MI)

[StrawHat]

It would be a shame to use a family heirloom in a legitimate self defense situation, then have it impounded temporarily by the local police during the investigation.

No matter what firearm is used, if charges are filed, all the firearms in the home will be taken.

And they will not be treated as kindly as you would like.

And they may or may not all get returned.

 

[Zeke/PA]

Check the Federal regs also.
It USED to be that the feds, along with the 18" barrel length, also specified a minimum overall length of the weapon.
Zeke

 

[j_charles]

It would be a shame to use a family heirloom in a legitimate self defense situation, then have it impounded temporarily by the local police during the investigation.

+1 That's what my first thought was! And that's in a cut and dried, clear case of self-defense. What about the one that isn't so clear cut? The one that makes for the long and drawn out legal nightmare. You eventually get off, but the "family hierloom" has been in evidence so long, it gets "misplaced" (into the cheif's collection of "family heirlooms)?

 

[madmike]

In my experience, that's not the case. Spoke to several others. They took the pistol I was carrying, and held it for four weeks, to "trace" it, even though I had the original receipt, but they never asked about any others.

I've checked with several friends. Same thing. If there was any question, it was only the weapon involved.

Taking any others would legally be theft and you could file charges with the state police, who tend not to like local yokels.

 

[moooose102]

No matter what firearm is used, if charges are filed, all the firearms in the home will be taken.

And they will not be treated as kindly as you would like.

And they may or may not all get returned

that does not sound legal at all, especially since some of the firearms belong to other family members. not me personally. how are they supposed to defend themselves? it sounds like a legal nightmare for the police who comfiscated these legally obtained/owned firearms. they then would be liable for ANY harm that comes their way during the comfiscation time period. are they going to post 24/7 security for each member? not at all likely.

 

[frogomatic]

I just recently picked up a mossberg 500 for $180, which is less than what I would charge to cut, crown, and re-choke a shotgun barrel.

As other posters have said, just go buy a 500 or an 870. They are inexpensive, reliable as hell, and there is no significant loss in value if you hack one up.

If that is a sweet16 that you have, I can't fathom why you are even contemplating cutting it down...