Deadline Nears On BATFE Shotgun Ban Comments

[Tim Nunan]

http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Feder ... px?id=6576

Friday, April 08, 2011

As we reported on Jan. 28, May 1 is the deadline for public comments concerning a shotgun importation ban that has been proposed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. A working group within the BATFE has recommended that any shotgun (semi-automatic, pump-action or any other) that has any one of 10 specific features should be banned from importation, on the grounds that such shotguns are not “generally recognized as particularly suitable for a readily adaptable to sporting purposes.”


The features in question are a folding, telescoping, or collapsible stock; a magazine of over five rounds or a drum magazine; a flash suppressor or a muzzle brake that also suppresses flash; an integrated rail system other than on top of the receiver or barrel; a light enhancing device; a forward pistol grip or similar protruding part; an “excessive” weight of over 10 pounds; an “excessive bulk” of over three inches width and/or over four inches depth; a bayonet lug; or “a grenade-launcher mount.”

The working group considers “sporting purposes” to be limited to hunting, skeet, trap and sporting clays, but not to include practical shotgun matches or recreational target shooting. To have considered practical matches, the working group said, could have led to conclusions that would undercut the BATFE’s 1989 and 1998 bans on the importation of semi-automatic rifles, and its 1993 ban on the importation of various semi-automatic pistols. The working group also indicated a reluctance to accept practical matches because they test defensive firearm skills, which the working group believes are of military and police orientation.


Since the law conditions a firearm’s ability to be imported on whether it is “generally recognized” as meeting the law’s sporting purpose test, it is important that the BATFE hear from members of the general public. Particularly relevant will be the comments of people who use shotguns equipped with one or more of the features for hunting or any form of competitive or recreational target shooting, and people who adapt such shotguns to a sporting purpose by simple modifications, such as attaching or removing a flashlight, attaching or removing a forward grip, or installing or removing a magazine extension or magazine plug.


Comments to the BATFE may be submitted by e-mail to shotgunstudy@atf.gov, or by fax to (202) 648-9601, and must be received by May 1, 2011. Faxed comments may not exceed 5 pages. All comments must include name and mailing address

[benburke]

Thanks Tim for the reminder. Here was my email to the BATFE:

To whom it may concern:

On way of looking at the proposed ban on the importation of shotguns is this: Doing so will cause the security of the United States to decline! Our nation realizes the safest society of the entire planet because of the 2nd Amendment. This is an indisputable fact! If anyone, any government agency, attempts to undermine the security of our sovereign nation, they are guilty of treason! Try to forego the reason as “generally not recognized as particularly suitable for readily adaptable to sporting purposes.” Does the BATFE not care about self defense? Do NOT ban the importation of shotguns, or any needed arms which can only help us, not threaten us.

Sincerely,

Ben Burke

[benburke]

Here was their reply:

U.S. Department of Justice

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives





Dear Sir or Madame:

Thank you for responding to the Shotgun Study. Your assistance will further promote ATF’s ability to support the firearms industry. We will review and consider your comments and suggestions.

If you have any questions, you may contact the Firearms and Explosives Industry Division @ 202-648-7090. Once again, thank you for your email.



Firearms and Explosives Industry Division

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives