ATF Wants to Ban Import of "Non-Sporting" Shotguns

[JohnRich 4]

ATF Study recommending banning the import of "non-sporting" shotguns:

Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns

The purpose of this study is to establish criteria that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) will use to determine the importability of certain shotguns under the provisions of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA).

The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) generally prohibits the importation of firearms into the United States. However, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 925(d), the GCA creates four narrow categories of firearms that the Attorney General must authorize for importation. Under one such category, subsection 925(d)(3), the Attorney General shall approve applications for importation when the firearms are generally recognized as particularly suitable for or readily adaptable to sporting purposes (the “sporting purposes test”)...

Conclusion:
The purpose of section 925(d)(3) is to provide a limited exception to the general prohibition on the importation of firearms without placing “any undue or unnecessary Federal restrictions or burdens on law-abiding citizens with respect to the acquisition, possession, or use of firearms….”51 Our determinations will in no way preclude the importation of true sporting shotguns. While it will certainly prevent the importation of certain shotguns, we believe that those shotguns containing the enumerated features cannot be fairly characterized as “sporting” shotguns under the statute. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the working group that shotguns with any of the characteristics or features listed above not be authorized for importation.

Source (pdf): http://www.atf.gov/publications/firearms/012611-study-on-importality-of-certain-shotguns.pdf

So, what makes a shotgun "non-sporting"? Here it is:

...the working group determined that certain shotgun features are not particularly suitable or readily adaptable for sporting purposes. These features include:

(1) Folding, telescoping, or collapsible stocks;
(2) bayonet lugs;
(3) flash suppressors;
(4) magazines over 5 rounds, or a drum magazine;
(5) grenade-launcher mounts;
(6) integrated rail systems (other than on top of the receiver or barrel);
(7) light enhancing devices;
(8) excessive weight (greater than 10 pounds for 12 gauge or smaller);
(9) excessive bulk (greater than 3 inches in width and/or greater than 4 inches in depth);
(10) forward pistol grips or other protruding parts designed or used for gripping the
shotgun with the shooter’s extended hand.

Although the features listed above do not represent an exhaustive list of possible shotgun features, designs or characteristics, the working group determined that shotguns with any one of these features are most appropriate for military or law enforcement use. Therefore, shotguns containing any of these features are not particularly suitable for nor readily adaptable to generally recognized sporting purposes such as hunting, trap, sporting clay, and skeet shooting.

That's right; if you so much as mount a flashlight on your shotgun, or if it holds more than five rounds, it will be considered an evil "assault shotgun".

For many years, shotgun owners have sat on the sidelines and done nothing while the government whittled away at the rights of handgun and rifle owners, believing that their shotguns would always be exempt from the gun-control lunacy. Well, now the time has come, and the government is preparing to move against many of your shotguns... Just as they banned the manufacture and import of "assault rifles" for 10 years, now they want to do the same thing for "assault shotguns".

The government considers the only valid use of a shotgun to be for hunting, clay, trap and skeet. Nothing else. If you want the means to mount a flashlight for nighttime home defense - tough luck!

[Kennedy 0]

I'm still waiting for a good answer to a simple question posed to the BATFE:
What do "sporting purposes" have to do with the Second Amendment?

According to UNITED STATES v. MILLER, 307 U.S. 174 (1939) the second amendment protects the right of private citizens to possess arms that are suitable for use by a militia.

Quote

In the absence of any evidence tending to show that possession or use of a 'shotgun having a barrel of less than eighteen inches in length' at this time has some reasonable relationship to the preservation or efficiency of a well regulated militia, we cannot say that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to keep and bear such an instrument. Certainly it is not within judicial notice that this weapon is any part of the ordinary military equipment or that its use could contribute to the common defense.

Of course, if counsel for the defendant had actually shown for the hearing and presented any material, the decision probably would have been even clearer and more favorable to gun rights. It is difficult to understand how a court can choose to decide based solely on hearing the government's side.

Oh, and kallend or anyone else who suggests ammunition should be controlled or limit by law, should read Miller.

Quote

'The possession of arms also implied the possession of ammunition, and the authorities paid quite as much attention to the latter as to the former.'

The Second Amendment really isn't about duck hunting. It protects arms suitable for use by a militia.

I also wonder, what government interest is served in denying these firearms to citizens? Why should people be barred from buying these guns? Why shouldn't people buy them?

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[Kennedy 0]

To the eight people who believe these shotguns should be banned, I ask: why?

Do you think guns with these features are used in more crimes? Do you think they make the guns much more dangerous? What is gained by banning guns with these features?

witty subliminal message
Guard your honor, let your reputation fall where it will, and outlast the bastards.
1*

[DaVinci 0]

Quote

According to UNITED STATES v. MILLER, 307 U.S. 174 (1939) the second amendment protects the right of private citizens to possess arms that are suitable for use by a militia.

Worth quoting..... The 2nd does not protect the hunter, it protects the citizens right to weapons "suitable for military use"

[piisfish 140]

I think they want to promote US non-sporting shotguns, and only keep the possibility to import sports guns.

scissors beat paper, paper beat rock, rock beat wingsuit - KarlM