When the Shockwave was first introduced, it appeared to be an illegal firearm under Texas law. Texas law defines a «shotgun» without requiring it to be designed to be pulled from the shoulder. Ironically, Mossberg is sending shockwaves through Texas. Needless to say, the citizens of this pro-gun state were not happy with this outcome. How could it be legal under federal law but illegal under Texas law? Because the Texas definition of a shotgun is broader, the shockwave was likely considered a short-barrelled firearm under state law. Section 46.05 of the Texas Penal Code criminalizes possession of an unregistered short-barrelled weapon. This result was absurd, since Texas law required the registration of the Shockwave with the ATF, but the ATF did not require federal registration. The legislator corrected this curious result with H.B. 1819. It clarified the section of the Penal Code dealing with NFA elements by adding language that excludes articles that are not subject to registration with the ATF. Therefore, the Mossberg shockwave is exempt from Section 46.05 under the new Texas rules and is now legal in Texas.
The shock wave must be more than 26 inches in total length. If the total length of a weapon is less than 26 inches, it legally becomes any other weapon (AOW). All other weapons are also firearms covered by Title II. For something to be a shotgun, it must have or have had a reserve. If a Mossberg 590 never had a supply, then technically it`s not a shotgun. If it`s not a shotgun, then it can`t be a short-barreled shotgun. So there you have it. The Mossberg Shockwave is a legal firearm in Texas. Note that modifying the Shockwave is not a good idea. When you buy the Shockwave, make sure you don`t saw the back and replace it with a shoulder rest.
Such a change would make your Shockwave an NFA object. Without a tax stamp and proper documentation, possession of this altered shockwave would be illegal. Also note: If you`re looking for a 26-inch 12-gauge pistol and you`re not in Texas, check your state`s laws before buying one. Every state is different, and even in Texas, the shockwave wasn`t legal until the law was changed. Just because you find it for sale doesn`t mean it`s legal. Take the time to learn about the law! I also like the fact that Mossberg turned up his nose at the ATF and gave us a gun that exactly fits the legal definition of a shotgun. If they want to abandon common sense with gun control laws, we should beat them in their own game. With a 14-inch barrel and an overall length of just over 26 inches, many wonder if this is a short-barreled shotgun in the NFA sense? To answer the question of the legality of this weapon, we must look at the federal definition of a short-barreled shotgun. Many guns are barely legal, but the shock wave is different.
If you see one, your first thoughts are probably that it is a short-barreled shotgun, also known as a sawed-off shotgun. This makes it a Title II firearm that requires a tax stamp to be legal. Without a stamp, owning the Shockwave would of course be illegal, right? No, at least not legally. Of course, common sense dictates that if it looks like a duck and quack like a duck, then it`s a duck.