What is the minimum barrel length for a rifle?

What is the minimum barrel length for a rifle?

• A. 16 inches
• B. 14 inches
• C. 18 inches
• D. 20 inches

Answer: (A)

In US federal law, a rifle must have a barrel length of at least 16 inches. If the barrel is shorter, the firearm is treated as a short-barreled rifle and becomes subject to additional regulations (such as registration and a tax stamp under the National Firearms Act). So 16 inches is the minimum that keeps the firearm classified as a rifle rather than a short-barreled rifle. Choices longer than that meet the minimum, but 14 inches would fall short and trigger extra rules, while 18 or 20 inches are simply longer than needed to meet the minimum.

In US federal law, a rifle must have a barrel length of at least 16 inches. If the barrel is shorter, the firearm is treated as a short-barreled rifle and becomes subject to additional regulations (such as registration and a tax stamp under the National Firearms Act). So 16 inches is the minimum that keeps the firearm classified as a rifle rather than a short-barreled rifle. Choices longer than that meet the minimum, but 14 inches would fall short and trigger extra rules, while 18 or 20 inches are simply longer than needed to meet the minimum.