sensei 18 “Shotguns” with pistol grips attached In the last ATF Newsletter (August 1998) an anticle stated shoiguns with pistol grips and no shoulder stocks attached were restricted t0 persons 21 years of age or older if being sold by a Federal firearms licensee. This requirement is specified in 27 CFR § 178.996) and 18 US.C. 922()(1) (wwwatf. tes govicore/tegulations! ‘27efi1 78 him), which states that ifthe firearm to be transferred is “other than a rifle or shotgun” then the purchaser must be 21 years of age. The ‘definition of a shotgun under the GCA [18 US.C. § 921(a)S)] is a weapon “intersied to be fired from the shoulder.” With the pistol grip in lieu of the shoulder stock, this weapon is not designed to be fired from the shoulder, and therefore is not a shotgun. Questions have been raised about those firearms that are supplied with both a pistol grip and a shoulder stock. If the firearm is sold with the shoulder stock then the firearm is intended 10 be fired from the shoulder and would be considered a shotgun, The shoulder stock does not necessarily have tobe attached atthe time. Persons 18 years ‘of age or older may purchase those firearms from licensees ‘Other questions raised pertain to entries made in the licensce’s required records as to firearm “aype” if not shotgun, ‘These entries may indicate the firearm type simply as Title f Pistol Grips and Shotguns Firat with pistol gripe arachad: The definition ofa shotgun under the GCA, 18 U.S {§921(a)(5), ic “a weapon designed oF redesigned, made or ‘remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder and de- signed or redesigned and made oF remade to use the encrey of an explosives to fie through a smooth bore either a number ‘of ball shot or single projectile fr each singe pul of ee tig- get Under the GCA, 18 U.S.C. $921(a)(29\(A), handgun ‘means “a fcearm which has a short stock an wo bh held and Fired by the se ofa sinle hand,” Feral aw provides under 18 ULS.C. 922(b)(1, that if the caro to be transfered is “other than rifle or shotgun,” the purchaser rust be 21 years of age or oder. Cereain commercially produced Firearms do nos fill within the definition of shorgu under the GCA even though they’ utilize a shorgun shell for ammunition. For example, fircarms that come equipped with a pistol grip in place of the buttstock are nor shotguns a defined by the GCA, A firestm with a pistol grip in lieu of che shoulder so tno designed tobe fired from the shoulder and, therefore, is nora shorgun. Since ie ia firearms “other than a rifle or shorgun,” the purchaser must be 21 years of age or older Addicionally. interstate conteols apply. The licensee and transferee mast be residents of che same State ‘Other questions raised pertain to entries made i the licensee’ requited rcords with respect to fitearm type.” These entries should indicate the firearm type as “pstl grip fear.”Question 18. Type of Firearm(s): Check all boxes that apply. “Other” refers to frames, receivers and other firearms that are not either handguns or Jong guns (rifles or shotguns), such as firearms having a pistol grip that expel a shotgun shell, or National Firearms Act (NFA) firearms. If a frame or receiver can only be made into a long gun (rifle or shotgun), it is still a frame or receiver not a handgun or long gun. However, they still are “firearms” by definition, and subject to the same GCA limitations as any other firearms. See Section 921(a)(3)(b). 18 U.S.C. Section 922(b\(1) makes it unlawful for a licensee to sell any firearm other than a shotgun or rifle to any person under the age of 21. Since a frame or receiver for a firearm, to include one that can only be made into a long gun, is a “firearm other than a shotgun or rifle,” it cannot be transferred to anyone under the age of 21. Also, note that multiple sales forms are not required for frames or receivers of any firearms, or pistol grip shotguns, since they are not “pistols or revolvers” under Seetion 923(4)(3)(a) 18. Type of firearm(s) to be transferred (check or mark all that apply): Handgun [~|Long Gun [~ ] Other Firearm (Frame, Receiver, ete (rifles or See Instructions for Question 18.) shotguns)