Short-barreled rifle

Short-barreled rifle broadly refers to any rifle with an unusually short barrel. The term carbine describes a production rifle with barrel length reduced for easier handling in confined spaces. Concern about concealment for illegal purposes has encouraged regulations specifying minimum barrel lengths and overall lengths.

This article is about rifled long guns. For shortened unrifled firearms, see Sawed-off shotgun.
A "sawn-off" Mauser 98

Measurement method

Barrel length is measured from the end of the muzzle to the front of the breechface, typically by inserting a measuring rod into the barrel. Barrel length may partially comprise a permanently attached muzzle accessory (such as a recoil compensator or flash suppressor). Overall length is measured between the extreme ends of the gun, along a centerline which passes through the middle of the barrel. For rifles fitted with folding or telescoping stocks (such as U.S. Carbine M1A1), US Federal guidelines state that measurement is performed with the stock unfolded as intended for use as a rifle. Some states — such as California and Michigan — measure overall length with the stock folded.[1]

Production

Short barreled rifles can be created through end-user modification by trimming down a larger rifle, by building a rifle with an original barrel shorter than 16 in (41 cm), or by adding a shoulder stock to a handgun which is fitted with a barrel shorter than 16 in (41 cm), which would legally redefine it as a rifle rather than a handgun. In the United States, each of these processes must legally be accompanied by ATF registration.

Some older handguns, such as the original broomhandle Mausers or Lugers manufactured before 1946, may be considered relics instead of weapons, and not regulated by federal SBR rules; however, they may still be subject to local laws.[2] The ATF maintains a list of Curio & Relic of gun models and serial number ranges. While they are not considered firearms under the 1934 National Firearms Act, they are regulated by the Gun Control Act of 1968.[3]

Pistol brace

When used as designed, a pistol brace should only support the firearm by the shooter's forearm. According to the ATF, putting the pistol brace against one's shoulder does not consistute a redesign of the brace. It is based upon the items manufacturer design and intent. This means registration is not requried if a shooter intends to use a brace as a stock.[4] Other jurisdictions, such as Canada, do not tend to have such rules.

Legislative history

American, British, and Canadian lawmakers tightened laws on concealable weapons in the period in the 1930s.[5]

United States

United States' regulation of short-barreled rifles was the result of the National Firearms Act of 1934 which also imposed restrictions on short barreled shotguns, suppressors and machine guns.[3] Short-barreled rifle (SBR) is a legal designation in the United States, referring to a shoulder-fired, rifled firearm, made from a rifle, with a barrel length of less than 16 in (41 cm) or overall length of less than 26 in (66 cm), or a handgun fitted with a buttstock and a barrel of less than 16 inches length. In the United States, an SBR is an item regulated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) as a Title II weapon. In the absence of local laws prohibiting ownership, American civilians may own an SBR provided it is registered with the ATF, and a $200 tax is paid prior to taking possession of or creating the firearm.

It is a federal felony to possess an SBR in the United States unless it is registered with the ATF to the person who possesses it. Class 2 manufacturers, Class 3 dealers, and government agencies can transfer these firearms, tax exempt. The individual buyer or owner is responsible for paying the $200 tax when purchasing, manufacturing, or transferring an SBR. They must also notify the ATF when transporting it across state lines.[6]

As a result of the Supreme Court decision in United States v. Thompson/Center Arms Company, 504 U.S. 505 (1992), it is not illegal to possess a "kit" allowing a handgun to be fitted with a buttstock and with barrels both under and over the 16 inch minimum for a rifle, so long as the firearm is only assembled into legal (handgun with no buttstock, rifle with buttstock and 16 inch or longer barrel) configurations. Assembling the firearm into an NFA-regulated configuration (rifle with buttstock but barrel shorter than 16 inches) would be a violation of the National Firearms Act.[7]

Canada
Further information: Firearms regulation in Canada

Canadian regulations prohibit firearms adapted from a rifle or shotgun by sawing, cutting or any other alteration to an overall length less than 660 mm (26 in) or a barrel length less than 457 mm (18.0 in). Handguns with a barrel length no greater than 105 mm (4.1 in) are also prohibited.[8]

Semi-automatic, centerfire firearms with a barrel shorter than 470 mm (19 in) are restricted. Any firearm that can be fired in a configuration where the overall length is shorter than 660 mm (26 in) is restricted. All restricted firearms require a license.[8]

United Kingdom
Further information: Firearms regulation in the United Kingdom

United Kingdom regulations include among prohibited firearms breechloader rifles with an overall length less than 60 cm (24 in) or with a barrel length less than 30 cm (12 in). All such weapons are considered pistols.[9]

Australia

Legally, most Australian legislation prescribes a minimum allowable barrel length which is typically about 330 mm (13 in) for rifles.[10]

See also

References
  1. "US Code, TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 44 > § 921 > a > 8".
  2. ATF Curio and Relic List.
  3. ATF (ed.). Federal Firearms Regulations Reference Guide. Washington, D.C.: DIANE Publishing. ISBN 978-1-4289-5186-0.
  4. Kingery, Max M. "OPEN LETTER ON THE RESIGN OF "STABILIZING BRACES"" (PDF).
  5. R. Blake Brown (2012). Arming and Disarming: A History of Gun Control in Canada. U of Toronto Press. p. 149.
  6. Sweeney, Patrick (13 February 2014). Gunsmithing - The AR-15. Krause Publications. p. 244. ISBN 978-1-4402-3848-2.
  7. https://www.atf.gov/file/55526/download
  8. "Classes of Firearms". Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  9. Home Office (2002). Firearms Law Guidance to the Police. London: The Stationery Office. p. 9.
  10. Smith, Geoff. "The handgun in Australia today". Sporters Shooting Association of Australia. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
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