Revision as of 07:32, 6 December 2010

AOWs in California

Definition of an AOW

An AOW or "any other weapon" is a federally defined term that creates a category for firearms that do not usually fall under any other definition.

Types of AOW's include:

• Smooth Bore Pistols
• Cane Guns
• Pen Guns
• Disguised firearms
• Briefcase Guns
• Firearms with both rifled and smooth bore barrels between 12" and 18"
• Pistols with a second handgrip
• Pistol grip only type 'shotguns' that have an overall length of less than 26" or a barrel less than 18"

An AOW is defined in 26 U.S.C 5845 (e) as

 26 U.S.C § 5845  (e) The term “any other weapon” means any weapon or device
capable of being concealed on the person from which a shot can be discharged through
the energy of an explosive, a pistol or revolver having a barrel with a smooth bore designed
or redesigned to fire a fixed shotgun shell, weapons with combination shotgun and rifle barrels
12 inches or more, less than 18 inches in length, from which only a single discharge can be made
from either barrel without manual reloading, and shall include any such weapon which may be
readily restored to fire. Such term shall not include a pistol or a revolver having a rifled bore, or 
rifled bores, or weapons designed, made, or intended to be fired from the shoulder 
and not capable of firing fixed ammunition.

California does not have a separate definition for an AOW.

Does California allow possession of an AOW?

How do I federally register an AOW?

Differences in NFA Forms

Can an AOW also be an Assault Weapon?

Does the handgun roster apply to AOWs?

Is there an age minimum to get an AOW?

Moving to California with a Registered AOW

Transporting an AOW

References

• http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=82693