I got to fire a Mossberg 590 Shockwave today at knockdowns. What a hoot. Are there any benefits to having my GWL and the Shockwave? The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives has confirmed the 590 Shockwave as a “firearm” per the Gun Control Act (GCA), but not a Class 3/NFA firearm.
As I recall, and I am SURE someone will correct me if I am wrong, the exemption for GWL carry is for long guns. Since the Shockwave is NOT a shotgun but a "firearm" I'm thinking that to carry it outside your home/place of business/auto you would need some sort of GWL or hunting license.
If you have a gun in your car, there are places you are not allowed to drive or park, but you could, legally, if you had a GWL. This applies to certain off-limits locations or weapons restricted locations only. Because we all know the "general rule" says no carry permit is needed to carry / transport in your vehicle. But there are exceptions to every rule.
The barrel length of a Shockwave is just over 14". It is therefore not a handgun under GA law. The GWL is for carrying weapons (i.e., handguns and knives). Because the Shockwave is not a handgun, it is not a weapon. In general, therefore, a GWL is not needed to carry a Shockwave. But, as Gunsmoker points out, there are places/circumstances where having a GWL is necessary for firearms that are not weapons. For example, under 16-12-127, it is "hijacking" to have a firearm in a transportation "terminal" unless you have a GWL. A "terminal" includes the airport and parking lots, train and bus stations and parking lots and a reasonable distance around the bus stops. So it is a felony to have a Shockwave on a MARTA train, but not if you have a GWL. There are other places like that.
That also holds for the Remington 870 TAC-14. Should you decide to buy one I'd recommend keeping the box or at least the end flap that states the item is a "12 ga firearm" and not a "12 ga shotgun." It may prove useful when some overzealous gendarme thinks he caught you with an unregistered "sawed off shotgun."
I'm not saying not to follow Moe's advice, but I would point out that the state and local gendarmerie has no way of knowing or finding out if you device is registered to you. The ATF refuses to provide such information because it is confidential tax data (registered devices requiring payment of a tax).
This is true. I've never run into an ATF agent in 5 decades but a few locals. I'd rather not have to play "hide the salami" with any of them when a factory box can explain something away in seconds, hopefully. My Remington box is the only one I've ever kept of all the guns I've bought.
You should get one of these. https://www.thetruthaboutguns.com/gear-review-knoxx-breachers-grip-upgrade-your-shockwave/