[robertpaulsen]

"The historical facts show clearly that they do"

Shotguns, yes. Less than 18", no.

[looscnnn]

Less than shotguns & rifles with barrels under 18" both had/have been used by the milary, police, government agents, etc. The blunderbus is one such form of a shotgun that was used by militaries. Sawed off shotguns were used during the civil war also.