FAQ - Firearm Definitions
Firearm Definitions
What are the minimum length requirements for a rifle to be classified as a rifle?
A rifle is any firearm designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder, and designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed metallic cartridge to fire only a single projectile through a rifled bore for each single pull of the trigger with a minimum barrel length of 16 inches and a minimum overall length of 26 inches.
(Ref: 478.11)
What are the minimum length requirements for a shotgun to be classified as a shotgun?
A weapon designed or redesigned, made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder, and designed or redesigned and made or remade to use the energy of the explosive in a fixed shotgun shell to fire through a smooth bore either a number of ball shot or a single projectile for each single pull of the trigger with a minimum barrel length of 18 inches and a minimum overall length of 26 inches.
(Ref: 478.11)
What is an “Antique Firearm” and is it regulated?
Antique firearms are not regulated by ATF and do not have to be serialized, recorded in A&D Books, or transferred via Forms 4473. Antique firearms are defined as: (a) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and (b) any replica of any firearm described in paragraph (a) of this definition if such replica (1) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or (2) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.
(Ref: 478.11)
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