Texas-Book-Gun Law Armed And Educated - Flipbook - Page 76
Above is an example of a shotgun that does not meet the minimum
barrel length requirement after measurement. Any measurement
of less than 18 inches will classify the shotgun as a shortbarreled weapon and illegal under Texas and federal law unless
the requirements of the NFA are satisfied. See Chapter 18 for
short-barreled shotguns and other non-compliant firearms. Note:
the collapsible/folding-stock rule that applies to rifles applies to
shotguns as well.
Numerous questions have surrounded the Mossberg 590
Shockwave. The firearm has a pistol grip, shoots shotgun shell
ammunition, has a barrel length of 14 inches, and an overall length
of around 26½ inches. On March 2, 2017, the ATF issued a letter
that states the Shockwave is not a firearm regulated by the NFA.
Instead, it is a GCA firearm that is regulated as any other common
firearm that is available to the public. Consequently, Mossberg has
marketed the 590 Shockwave as a non-NFA weapon that does not
require a tax stamp for possession. The ATF determination relies
on the fact that it is made without a shoulder stock and instead has
a “birdshead” grip. However, since the Texas definition of a shortbarreled firearm does not include the element of “intended to be
fired from the shoulder” the question remained: “is this legal, and
can I have one in Texas?”
Legal Definitions And Classifications Of Firearms: What Is Legal? | 65
