New ATF ruling on Franklin Armory Reformation

[Sniper 6,372]

New ruling on the Reformation, Dec. 19, 2019:

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) has received questions from industry members and the general public regarding a new type of firearm produced by the Franklin Armory®. This firearm, known as the "Reformation", utilizes a barrel that is produced with straight lands and grooves. This design contrasts with conventional rifling, in which the barrel's lands and grooves are spiral or twisted, and are designed to impart a spin onto the projectile.

The ATF Firearms and Ammunition Technology Division (FATD) has examined the Reformation firearm for purposes of classification under the applicable provisions of the Gun Control Act (GCA) and the National Firearms Act (NFA). During this examination, FATD determined that the straight lands and grooves incorporated into the barrel design of the Reformation do not impart a spin onto a projectile when fired through the barrel. Consequently, the Reformation is not a "rifle" as that term is defined in the GCA and NFA. Moreover, because the Reformation is not chambered for shotgun shells, it is not a shotgun as defined in the NFA. Given these determinations, the Reformation is classified as a shotgun that is subject only to the provisions of the GCA (i.e., it is not a weapon subject to the provisions of the NFA).

Under the provisions of the GCA, if a Reformation firearm is equipped with a barrel that is less than 18-inches in overall length, that firearm is classified to be a short-barreled shotgun (SBS). When a Reformation is configured as a GCA/SBS, specific provisions of the GCA apply to the transfer of that firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) to a non-licensee, and to the transport of that firearm by a non-licensee in interstate or foreign commerce. These provisions are:
 

1. 18 U.S.C. § 922(a)(4) requires that an individual wishing to transport an SBS in interstate or foreign commerce obtain approval by the Attorney General to transport the firearm.
    
2. 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(4) requires authorization from the Attorney General consistent with public safety and necessity prior to the sale or delivery of an SBS to an individual by an FFL.

The Attorney General has delegated the authority for approval of requests pursuant to these sections to ATF.

The Franklin Armory Reformation is the first firearm produced and sold by an FFL that ATF has classified as a GCA/SBS. Because GCA/SBS firearms have not previously been available in the marketplace, existing federal firearm regulations do not provide a mechanism to process or approve requests from FFLs for approval to transfer a GCA/SBS to a non-licensee pursuant to section 922 (b)(4) or requests from non-licensees to transport a GCA/SBS pursuant to section 922(a)(4).

https://www.atf.gov/firearms/docs/open-letter/franklin-armory-dec2019-open-letter-franklink-armory-reformation-firearm/download

[124gr9mm 859]

7 hours ago, Sniper said:

During this examination, FATD determined that the straight lands and grooves incorporated into the barrel design of the Reformation do not impart a spin onto a projectile when fired through the barrel. Consequently, the Reformation is not a "rifle" as that term is defined in the GCA and NFA. Moreover, because the Reformation is not chambered for shotgun shells, it is not a shotgun as defined in the NFA. Given these determinations, the Reformation is classified as a shotgun that is subject only to the provisions of the GCA (i.e., it is not a weapon subject to the provisions of the NFA).

So it's not a shotgun.....but it is a shotgun????

[JT Custom Guns 957]

Why would anyone care, or want one; especially now that you can get an "OTHER" with a rifled barrel?

This didn't make sense when it came out, and it makes even less sense now............ jmo

 

[124gr9mm 859]

19 minutes ago, JT Custom Guns said:

Why would anyone care, or want one; especially now that you can get an "OTHER" with a rifled barrel?

This didn't make sense when it came out, and it makes even less sense now............ jmo

 

I agree with you.

I appreciated the effort at working around the NJ laws, but the execution was a little short IMO.

Just seems strange that the ATF would state that the rifle isn't a shotgun and then in the very next sentence say it IS a shotgun.

[Krdshrk 3,877]

Discussion of ruling should not be done in a vendor section.

Split off from main topic.

[JackDaWack 2,895]

8 hours ago, 124gr9mm said:

I agree with you.

I appreciated the effort at working around the NJ laws, but the execution was a little short IMO.

Just seems strange that the ATF would state that the rifle isn't a shotgun and then in the very next sentence say it IS a shotgun.

It's was a work around for federal law.

 

It's not a rifle or shotgun under the NFA.. 

But it's a shotgun under the GCA. 

They are just explaining why the NFA doesnt cover this weapon, but the GCA does.

 

 

[1LtCAP 4,263]

23 hours ago, 124gr9mm said:

I agree with you.

I appreciated the effort at working around the NJ laws, but the execution was a little short IMO.

Just seems strange that the ATF would state that the rifle isn't a shotgun and then in the very next sentence say it IS a shotgun.

you're not supposed to notice that.

[JT Custom Guns 957]

So - did anyone actually purchase one of these?

[JT Custom Guns 957]

On 12/20/2019 at 9:27 AM, 124gr9mm said:

I agree with you.

I appreciated the effort at working around the NJ laws, but the execution was a little short IMO.

Just seems strange that the ATF would state that the rifle isn't a shotgun and then in the very next sentence say it IS a shotgun.

It was re-classified as a NFA Short Barreled Shotgun......