After the recent district court decision in Texas, as a member of GOA I would not be in violation of federal law if I build a short-barreled rifle, a suppressor, or a sawed-off shotgun. That is a heck of a change in my lifetime – the National Firearms Act, passed in 1934, mandated a $200 tax stamp on each of those items.
Still, should I choose to move on that path, I would be in violation of Montana law – in Montana, a short-barreled rifle is legal as long as it is “properly registered under federal law.” It’s a Fauci-like dilemma – his pardon protects him from federal charges, but not from Florida’s AG and governor. My decision is easy – I find residency in my county’s jail no more attractive than residency in a Federal prison. MCA 45-8-340 puts it all in plain language. Six months in county for the first offense, 5 years in the state crowbar hotel for the second. I’ll stick with longer barrels and louder guns.
My decision is limited – I have a feeling that, sometime in early 2027, Montana’s legislature may change the rule. The BATF may write an opinion that clarifies things. I’m not knocking the court order invalidating sections of the National Firearms Act. I like having the theoretical ability to add a stock to the old Contender and getting back some of the accuracy that aging has removed. But I’ll wait until it’s legal by both state and federal law. That way I don’t have to take the Fifth Amendment for following the Second.
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