Street Sweeper ?'s

[drine]

What are the rules on the street sweeper? A guy I know has one from way back and wants to sell it. I thought they fall under the destructive device laws so I wasn't sure if it is even legal to own or sell it without the correct tax stamps, etc. Not even sure I need it but the first thing I don't want to do is own something illegally. I also don't want him to make a sale and end up in trouble. Anybody got the 411 on this?
He bought a nice S&W AR in .308. If it wasn't Real Tree camo, it would be nice looking.

[Old Jimmy]

I thought Street Sweepers were under Any Other Weapon but maybe I am wrong???

[Milsurp]

26 U.S.C. 5845(f)(2): DESTRUCTIVE DEVICE (Nonsporting shotgun having a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter)
The registration period for the USAS-12, Striker-12, and Streetsweeper shotguns will close on May 1, 2001.
ATF Ruling 2001-1
Pursuant to ATF Rulings 94-1 (ATF Q.B. 1994-1, 22) and 94-2 (ATF Q.B. 1994-1, 24), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) classified the USAS-12, Striker 12, and Streetsweeper shotguns as destructive devices under the National Firearms Act (NFA), 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53. The NFA requires that certain "firearms" be registered and imposes taxes on their making and transfer. The term "firearm" is defined in section 5845 to include "destructive devices." The term "destructive device" is defined in section 5845(f)(2) as follows:
[T]he term 'destructive device' means . . . (2) any type of weapon by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, the barrel or barrels of which have a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter, except a shotgun or shotgun shell which the Secretary finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes; . . .
The USAS-12, Striker 12, and Streetsweeper shotguns were classified as destructive devices pursuant to section 5845(f) because they are shotguns with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter which are not generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes.
Pursuant to 26 U.S.C. 7805(b), ATF. Ruls. 94-1 and 94-2 were issued prospectively with respect to the making, transfer, and special (occupational) taxes imposed by the NFA. Thus, although the classification of the three shotguns as NFA weapons was retroactive, the prospective application of the tax provisions allowed registration without payment of tax. ATF has contacted all purchasers of record of the shotguns to advise them of the classification of the weapons as destructive devices and that the weapons must be registered. ATF has registered approximately 8,200 of these weapons to date.
Held, the registration period for the USAS-12, Striker-12, and Streetsweeper shotguns will close on May 1, 2001. No further registrations will be accepted after that date. Persons in possession of unregistered NFA firearms are subject to all applicable penalties under 26 U.S.C. Chapter 53.
Date signed: February 2, 2001

[Noskov]

As Milsurp pointed out, the Streetsweeper is classified as a Destructive Device. Its was because it served no "sporting purpose" according to the ATF. Theres a long standing rumor that makes some sense but I don't know how much truth behind it there is.

FIE supposedly named the SPAS-12 a Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun instead of Special Purpose Automatic Shotgun to allow it for importation and protect it from the Destructive Device classification. The Streetsweeper's name brought up the question, "What sporting purpose does a shotgun do on streets?". It's name was almost like the last nail in the coffin for it.

[Sturmvogel]

Oh but 25 years ago I held a Trench Shotgun in my hands that was beautiful and affordable and I set it down. Could I have that moment back please? Still, stay within the law... they are all 'street sweepers' in the hands of the man that knows how to use them.

[Noskov]

In reality even if the Streetsweeper were renamed the "Home Defender" it would have still been classified as a Destructive Device because of its drum magazine. This was way before the Saiga 12 ever had drums being made for it.

[Caeb75]

They were reclassified as DD a number of years ago, and there was an amnesty period to register them. If your friend owns this gun, and never registered it with the ATF ( Form 5 tax free) then he is in possession of a contraband NFA weapon.

FWIW, the Revolving Cylinder shotguns(ss, striker, etc) and the USAS 12 were reclassified at the request of none other than the Clintons.

To be honest, they're really novelties. A very good friend of mine has a Street Sweeper, and I thought it was the bee's knees right up until I had to unload, and reload it...

[drine]

I'll ask if it was registered but I'm already not impressed with the unloading of spent cases. I'll agree, it is a novelty that I wouldn't give the 1K asking price for either way. Thanks for the replies and direct ATF quotes.