Illegal or Not????

[Win52C]

Ok, so I stopped by Ace West Pawn Shop here in Bloomington this morning, killing some time before work...laying in the case is/was a Winchester 67 Rifle that has been cut down to a pistol grip and had the barrel shortened to 12" as well as having been nickled. I think about whether or not to say anything but feel I should so, I tell the guy working there that its an illegal weapon unless he has NFA Paperwork on it. He, gruffly says that two or 3 other people have told him this as well but he has read the law and believes that since its a pistol NOW , its legal. I informed him this is not the case and that since it started life as a rifle and has been cut down well below 16" its a federal offense to own/posses it without proper paperwork...he basically tells me I dont know what Im talking about(like the others apparently).....and does nothing.

So, Im reinforcing my own knowledge here but it is illegal, correct???

 

[Hotwired]

I am pretty sure that is what the law states. I am no lawyer, but neither is he. I am sure the ATF could clear it up for him.

 

[CarmelHP]

Nickeling it should be illegal.

 

[IndianaResident]

I suspect deliberate ignorance until he can sell it, but I tend not to give pawn owners the benefit of the doubt.

 

[wintram]

I do believe you are correct at least according to the FFL's I know.

 

[Win52C]

Nickeling it should be illegal.

Indeed....lol....and yes I think deliberate "ignorance" of the law

 

[UncleMike]

Offhand I'd say the Pawn Shop owner had better pray that no one from BATFE reads this thread.

 

[eirish2001]

It's a reproduction, it was never a rifle so it's legal.

JB Custom Mare’s Leg Pistol Video Review | The Firearm Blog

 

[long coat]

Would that be just a pistol and be covered like a shotgun with a pistol grip?
I think someone on here said the ATF calls the Ranch Hand a pistol, but is that because it never had a stock on it.

 

[TREETOP]

It's a reproduction, it was never a rifle so it's legal.

JB Custom Mare’s Leg Pistol Video Review | The Firearm Blog

That's not a Winchester 67. Any Winchester 67 began life as a rifle.

 

[1911 nut]

Rifles must have a 16 in. barrel and overall length of 26.5 in. if you cut one down it must have a tax stamp as it is considered a Short Barreled Rifle under NFA'34

 

[Win52C]

Rifles must have a 16 in. barrel and overall length of 26.5 in. if you cut one down it must have a tax stamp as it is considered a Short Barreled Rifle under NFA'34

What he said. And it isn't a reproduction. Its a rifle that has been cut off on both ends.

 

[VUPDblue]

It's illegal if it was cut on and isn't registered as a SBR. Period.

 

[Win52C]

It's illegal if it was cut on and isn't registered as a SBR. Period.

Ty for that. I feel redemption