Thread: ATF Update on Saiga and Related Shotguns - Planned bans are no more!

Manasquan, NJ --(Ammoland.com)- Saiga 12’s, Benelli M4’s and virtually any other tactical/military shotgun can no longer be banned from import by the ATF.
A little noticed provision tucked into a large appropriations bill obviously flew under the radar of the “Brady Bunch” and the “Illegal Mayors.”
The new law effectively kills ATF’s plan to stop tactical/military shotgun imports by way of abusing the “sporting purpose” requirement and their agency rulemaking powers.
The “Fiscal Year 2012 Agriculture, Commerce/Justice/Science (CJS) and Transportation/Housing/Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bills”, also known as the “Mini-Bus”, was passed by Congress, and signed into law by President Obama on November 18, 2011.
The new law reads as follows:
SEC. 541. None of the funds made available by this Act may be used to pay the salaries or expenses of personnel to deny, or fail to act on, an application for the importation of any model of shotgun if–
(1) all other requirements of law with respect to the proposed importation are met; and
(2) no application for the importation of such model of shotgun, in the same configuration, had been denied by the Attorney General prior to January 1, 2011, on the basis that the shotgun was not particularly suitable for or readily adaptable

This new law became necessary due to the ATF releasing on January 27, 2011, a “Study on the Importability of Certain Shotguns.” The “Study” argued “military shotguns, or shotguns with common military features that are unsuitable for traditional shotgun sports” should be banned from import into the U.S.
The ban would have applied to all shotguns including semi-autos, pump-actions, double barrels, etc. As part of the rulemaking process, comments from the public on the study were allowed to be submitted until May 1, 2011.

And I'm sure the people that paid $1200 a couple months ago for their saiga 12 are having buyers remorse right about now.

One step in the right direction. Saiga are good semi auto shotguns but their prices mirrored their rarerity more than values. I've always wanted one and maybe now they'll be cheaper

Originally Posted by 22many

And I'm sure the people that paid $1200 a couple months ago for their saiga 12 are having buyers remorse right about now.

I think that is hilarious!

<-------Waits for 450 again

<-------Waits for 250 again.

At 250 I'd buy one, at 450; probably not.

Originally Posted by deen_ad

At 250 I'd buy one, at 450; probably not.

Agreed.

Originally Posted by 22many

And I'm sure the people that paid $1200 a couple months ago for their saiga 12 are having buyers remorse right about now.

Nothing more than people falling prey to profiteers. Be careful whose story you believe.

Originally Posted by drew

Nothing more than people falling prey to profiteers. Be careful whose story you believe.

Falling prey or not, it's called buyer beware.

I think the key phrase in that provision is:

None of the funds made available by this Act

It just says that the money made available by this act cannot be used to ban the importation. It's still very possible to ban these weapons.

So when the article says:

Saiga 12’s, Benelli M4’s and virtually any other tactical/military shotgun can no longer be banned from import by the ATF.

I believe they are being misleading.

Originally Posted by MrNiceGuy

I believe they are being misleading.

Typical for the US government.......

Originally Posted by MrNiceGuy

I think the key phrase in that provision is:



It just says that the money made available by this act cannot be used to ban the importation. It's still very possible to ban these weapons.

So when the article says:


I believe they are being misleading.

You are incorrect - the 'money made available by this act' is their entire annual budget. It effectively prevents them from carrying out these bans.

There are already a bunch popping up for the 700-900 range... Anticipation? LOL

Originally Posted by supergenius

There are already a bunch popping up for the 700-900 range... Anticipation? LOL

They've been $600 new for a couple months now. I would imagine you see prices hit $450-500 and get set there by the importers

Originally Posted by 22many

And I'm sure the people that paid $1200 a couple months ago for their saiga 12 are having buyers remorse right about now.

I would make note that no one here paid that. It was 2 members colluding playing price fixing games or should I say 2 ex members.

Originally Posted by Trlsmn

or should I say 2 ex members.

Good job!!