page_title: Title II weapons
section_title: Destructive device
hierarchical_section_title: Title II weapons / Category definitions / Destructive device
caption_attribution_description: English: USAS12 shotgun, 12 gauge semi-auto. (Photo by Oleg Volk) For publication use, please contact me first.
context_page_description: Title II weapons, or NFA firearms, are designations of certain weapons under the United States National Firearms Act.
  These are weapons requiring a Type 01 Federal Firearms License as well as a Class 3 Special Occupation Tax to sell, and an ATF Form 4 with $200 tax stamp to purchase. Also a Type 07 FFL with a Class 2 Special Occupation Tax is qualified to purchase and sell. The restrictions apply to certain firearms, explosive munitions, and other devices which are federally regulated by the NFA. Any violation of the NFA is a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Per the National Rifle Association's Summary of Gun Control Act of 1968:
  Title II of the Gun Control Act of 1968 is a revision of the National Firearms Act of 1934, and pertains to machine guns, short or "sawed-off" shotguns and rifles, and so-called "destructive devices". Acquisition of these weapons is subject to prior approval of the Attorney General, and federal registration is required for possession. Generally, a $200 tax is imposed upon each transfer or making of any Title II weapon.
context_section_description: There are two categories of destructive devices (DDs):
  Explosive ordnance
  Any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas, including bombs, grenades, rockets, missiles, mines and similar devices (e.g. grenade launchers, rocket launchers). Parts intended for making such a device are also DDs. Small rockets, with less than 4 ounces (113 grams) of propellant, are exempt.
  Large bore firearms
  Any projectile weapon with a bore diameter greater than ​¹⁄₂ inch (50 caliber, 12.7 mm), except for shotguns "generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes".
  Most commercial shotguns have a bore diameter greater than ​¹⁄₂ inch, but are exempt due to their "sporting purpose"; however, both the Street Sweeper and USAS-12 shotguns, designed for military or police use, were reclassified as DDs when the ATF determined they were combat shotguns not "generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes".
  Devices which are not intended or not likely to be used as a weapon are also exempt. Examples of non-weapon large bore firearms include:
  Line-throwing devices for marine rescue, such as lyle guns and rockets for breeches buoys.
  Civilian flare guns, which fire 37 mm flare caliber (1.46 inch) non-weapon rounds.
  Fireworks are non-weapon explosive ordnance.
  Flare launchers are normally exempt as they are signalling devices, not weapons; however, possession of a flare launcher and anti-personnel ammunition for it puts it in the DD category as it is then considered to be a weapon.
caption: The USAS-12 automatic shotgun is a "destructive device".
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