[supercat]

If the design of a double-barrel shotgun were such that attempting to fire while the selector was between the two extreme positions would fire both barrels, would that be a machine gun? If a dual-trigger double-barrel shotgun had a block placed between the two triggers so that pulling the front trigger would discharge both barrels, would that be a machine gun? If the design of a pump-action shotgun causes it to fire if the trigger is pulled when the action closes, would that be a machine gun (since pulling and holding the trigger while cycling the action could fire multiple shots)?

Also, incidentally, since Chuck Schumer derided as liars those who called the "two-shot" MP5's machine guns, does that mean they're not?

[ctdonath2]

- Yes.
- Yes.
- Quite possibly yes - which is particularly interesting, since many shotguns do this.
- No. Pull trigger once, get more than one shot - that's the federal definition of a MG. (Some states define it differently, such as Georgia which requires more than 6 shots per pull.)

Incidentally: Most semi-autos can, by gunking up the works carefully and loading dangerously-ultra-soft-primer ammo, be persuaded to - occasionally - "double" ... the ATF uses this technique to make any semi pass its "is this a machinegun?" test (and apparently has ALWAYS succeeded).