Which statement describes the designation of a sawed-off shotgun?

• A. It has a barrel length less than 18 inches for smooth bore and less than 16 inches for rifled.
• B. It is legal if unregistered.
• C. It must be laser-sighted.
• D. It cannot be owned by felons.

Answer: (A)

A sawed-off shotgun is defined by its barrel length being under a specific measurement: if a shotgun’s barrel is shorter than 18 inches, it is considered a short-barreled shotgun and falls under the stricter controls of the National Firearms Act. That 18-inch threshold is the key factor that designates the firearm type, not features like lasers or general ownership status. The idea isn’t about being legal without registration—unregistered short-barreled shotguns are illegal. Likewise, laser sights aren’t part of the designation, and while felon status affects firearm possession overall, it doesn’t define what counts as a sawed-off shotgun.