Mossberg Shockwave Legal in Texas on Sep 1

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Bartholomew Roberts

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Apparently, an oddity in the language of Texas's state firearms laws has been clarified so that the Mossberg Shockwave will be legal in Texas. Which since Mossberg has a place in Eagle Pass, will be nice for Mossberg.

And the bill was supported by Rep. Poncho Nevarez, who took a break from his usual shtick of opposing TSRA to work with them. The latest TSRA Sportsman has the details.
 
Under state law, shotguns can not have a barrel shorter than 18". Handguns can; but the definition of handgun was kind of murky and left you at the mercy of the jury as to whether they decided a Shockwave was one or the other.
 
Bartholomew Roberts Apparently, an oddity in the language of Texas's state firearms laws has been clarified so that the Mossberg Shockwave will be legal in Texas.
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It wasn't necessarily illegal before.



Under state law, shotguns can not have a barrel shorter than 18". Handguns can; but the definition of handgun was kind of murky and left you at the mercy of the jury as to whether they decided a Shockwave was one or the other.
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The problem with Texas law vs the Shockwave is that Texas law doesn't define "shotgun", while federal law does. This meant it might be a jury that would decide whether its a shotgun.

Federal law prohibits a handgun with a smooth bore unless you hold a tax stamp.

Under Federal law the Shockwave is not a handgun, not a shotgun, not an AOW, not an SBR......just a firearm.
 
When I transferred mine (in PA) it was listed as a firearm. I have a LTCF (license to carry firearms). So technically I can carry it concealed or have it loaded in my truck.

I really don't want to be the test case for it. I just use it for a range toy.
 
The problem strictly speaking is shotgun isn't defined and handgun is defined as "any firearm that is designed, made, or adapted to be fired with one hand." You can certainly see the argument that the Shockwave is a shotgun and therefore must have an 18" barrel.

And I've no doubt the argument would be made in some cities.
 
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