Is the Mossberg Shockwave legal in all of the lower 48 states?
- Thread starter Balrog
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From what I could find, California considers the Shockwave and similar as Short Barreled Shotguns or as handguns (depending on the source). It looks like these types of firearms are considered handguns in Massachusetts also and are not on their approved handgun list either.
I tried to find an answer on California's DOJ website but didn't see where they mentioned anything about the Shockwave and similar firearms. But if California considers them a handgun then I would say that they are illegal to own there. Mossberg doesn't have any handgun on the approved list. Same goes with Remington.
Trying to find any any formation on the Mass. website is even harder.
I tried to find an answer on California's DOJ website but didn't see where they mentioned anything about the Shockwave and similar firearms. But if California considers them a handgun then I would say that they are illegal to own there. Mossberg doesn't have any handgun on the approved list. Same goes with Remington.
Trying to find any any formation on the Mass. website is even harder.
toivo
Member
Jury is out, so to speak, in New York. If you call the state police, they will tell you "No," but several gun shops have been selling them all along, apparently with impunity. Some FFLs will transfer them from an online purchase, some won't.
EDIT TO ADD: Oops -- spoke to soon. A search reveals a court case last year that found them to be legal. Whouda thunkit?
https://www.newyorkcriminalattorneyblog.com/new-york-mossberg-shockwave-charges-dismissed/
EDIT TO ADD: Oops -- spoke to soon. A search reveals a court case last year that found them to be legal. Whouda thunkit?
https://www.newyorkcriminalattorneyblog.com/new-york-mossberg-shockwave-charges-dismissed/
The ~14" barreled "Shockwave" type non-NFA firearms are generally illegal in California without a special permit or owned by an LE agency or authorized by an LE agency for its employee.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/...tionNum=17180.&highlight=true&keyword=shotgun
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/...sion=10.&title=4.&part=6.&chapter=8.&article=
This is my educated-guess/understanding regarding California law.
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/...tionNum=17180.&highlight=true&keyword=shotgun
https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/...sion=10.&title=4.&part=6.&chapter=8.&article=
This is my educated-guess/understanding regarding California law.
Post 7,
Read this article:
https://www.nraila.org/articles/20150101/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation
and research further or interpret as you wish. I've no personal experience and my opinions are as good as anybody else's opinions on the matter.
If you're driving from Arizona to Oregon (through California) and stay overnight in a motel somewhere in California; no LE would even know or get involved. I see no crime committed.
If you say you're driving from Arizona to Oregon, but you end up "resting" in California for a year (which would generally seem unreasonable); go shooting with the Shockwave in California; and do something which brings LE into the picture; plan on being arrested (possession of short-barreled shotgun) with your Shockwave seized for evidence.
Read this article:
https://www.nraila.org/articles/20150101/guide-to-the-interstate-transportation
and research further or interpret as you wish. I've no personal experience and my opinions are as good as anybody else's opinions on the matter.
If you're driving from Arizona to Oregon (through California) and stay overnight in a motel somewhere in California; no LE would even know or get involved. I see no crime committed.
If you say you're driving from Arizona to Oregon, but you end up "resting" in California for a year (which would generally seem unreasonable); go shooting with the Shockwave in California; and do something which brings LE into the picture; plan on being arrested (possession of short-barreled shotgun) with your Shockwave seized for evidence.
N555
Member
I did the whole pistol grip pump thing, found it to be fairly useless back around 1999.
I prefer a full stock, which means a tax stamp. My first nfa experience.
I prefer a full stock, which means a tax stamp. My first nfa experience.
I would definitely contact a lawyer that is very familiar with California laws. You might be just fine IF you keep the shockwave unloaded and locked up. But then again, we are talking about California here.
Shooting a smoothbore with a bird head grip is quite a bit different that shooting one with a pistol grip. This is especially true if you use the push/pull method while shooting. With a birdied grip the recoil is transferred to your entire forearm wheel the recoil with a pistol grip transfers mostly to your wrist.
N555
Member
The original grip was cut from a broken wood sport stock. It was more like a birdshead than a pistol grip.
.38 Special
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Per California penal code 33215...
"Except as provided in Sections 33220 and 33225 and in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state prison."
A "short-barreled shotgun" is anything under 18" barrel. The "except as provided" is that you need a permit, and for practical purposes, you can't get one.
Bottom line: They're completely illegal here. You can't buy one, bring one in, or posses one.
"Except as provided in Sections 33220 and 33225 and in Chapter 1 (commencing with Section 17700) of Division 2 of Title 2, any person in this state who manufactures or causes to be manufactured, imports into the state, keeps for sale, or offers or exposes for sale, or who gives, lends, or possesses any short-barreled rifle or short-barreled shotgun is punishable by imprisonment in a county jail not exceeding one year or in the state prison."
A "short-barreled shotgun" is anything under 18" barrel. The "except as provided" is that you need a permit, and for practical purposes, you can't get one.
Bottom line: They're completely illegal here. You can't buy one, bring one in, or posses one.
A Shockwave is not a short barrel shotgun per federal law. That is why it is not an NFA item.
States are free to make laws that define the term "short barrel shotgun" however they want and their definition doesn't have to agree with federal law. They can then regulate the items that meet their definition as they see fit, within the bounds of constitutionality.
States are free to make laws that define the term "short barrel shotgun" however they want and their definition doesn't have to agree with federal law. They can then regulate the items that meet their definition as they see fit, within the bounds of constitutionality.
See post #12 right above your post. California indeed does consider the Mossberg Shockwave to be a short barreled shotgun and is illegal to possess in that state.
Yes by federal law the Shockwave and similar guns are classified as a "firearm" that is designed to be fired using two hands and over 26" in OAL and not designed to use a shoulder stock. States can and do have stricter gun laws.
As always, you need to check BOTH federal and state laws.
Riomouse911
Member
They sell “shockwaves” with 18.5” barrels at Turners Outdoorsman, a (mainly) Ca chain of gun/fishing stores (They recently opened one in Tucson,Az.). An 18” or longer barrel and 26” minimum overall length is the key.
From their online catalog:
Anything shorter in the barrel or the overall length is illegal.
Stay safe.
From their online catalog:
Anything shorter in the barrel or the overall length is illegal.
Stay safe.
Capybara
Member
In California, the Shockwave is definitely not legal to purchase for the reasons you state. I have a Remington 12" barrel 870 based-AOW and the only way I got the stamp back a few years ago was via SSE 1 (Single Shot Exemption)
that allowed it to be transferred as a "single shot" handgun with a Roster exemption. The gun grabbers in Sacramento have since legislated out doing that ever again.
FWIW to the OP, PG shotguns are terrible to shoot, I rarely shoot my AOW and when I do, it's just not a very practical gun. I'm glad I have it but only because the antis in Sacramento don't want me to have it.
When I move to America, the AOW will receive an SBS stamp and a shoulder stock. If you live in America, just pay the $200 and get an SBS, so much more usable (no modern SBS or SBRs allowed in California).
Capybara
Member
Forgot about that one, you're right. But an 18.5" barrel PG shotgun is even dumber than a 14" one as far as practicality.
Riomouse911
Member
Yup. I get the idea of the original “short” shockwaves, but the longer barrel Ca mandates is pretty much useless. (I feel the same way about pistol-grips on shotguns.)
I used one of the pistol-gripped 870’s with the metal folding stock years ago on a couple of informant protection details I worked on a multiple murder/Asian gang case. Qualifying with THAT thing with slugs and 00 was hell on my hand and shoulder. When the investigation and trials were over I couldn’t give that thing up fast enough.
Stay safe.
The is a difference when shooting with a pistol grip that is below the receiver compared to the bird head grip that is in line with the receiver. I have used both and my wrists definitely prefer the bird head grip.
We used the NFA version of the Shockwave when I was in the Army. It was basically the same as what the US Marshals have used for witness protection. I can't remember of hand if the barrel was 11 or 12 inches. I do know they worked great for breeching operations and we could easily sling them on our backs to keep them out of the way when not needed.
And we were also taught to use the push/pull method when shooting these too. The push/pull method helps mitigate some of the recoil no matter if you are using a bird head or pistol grip. Though the bird head grip is more comfortable.
We used the NFA version of the Shockwave when I was in the Army. It was basically the same as what the US Marshals have used for witness protection. I can't remember of hand if the barrel was 11 or 12 inches. I do know they worked great for breeching operations and we could easily sling them on our backs to keep them out of the way when not needed.
And we were also taught to use the push/pull method when shooting these too. The push/pull method helps mitigate some of the recoil no matter if you are using a bird head or pistol grip. Though the bird head grip is more comfortable.
Capybara
Member
Breaching doors is about the only thing I think my AOW would be useful for. As a non-LEO though, I haven't had much call to breach any doors.
There are plenty of legitimate uses for the Mossberg Shockwave and similar firearms. And they are not an AOW either.
The Shockwave is actually easy to use aim and shoot when using the proper push/pull method.
Capybara
Member
True, but the one that most people in America are buying is the 14" Shockwave. My Remington 870-based AOW is the same thing, just with a 12" barrel. Functionally very similar.
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