{"id":159761,"date":"2022-02-15T16:46:36","date_gmt":"2022-02-15T21:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gunsamerica.com\/digest\/?p=159761"},"modified":"2022-02-15T16:46:36","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T03:20:52","slug":"california-doj-goes-after-featureless-rifle-maker-juggernaut-tactical","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gunsamerica.com\/digest\/california-doj-goes-after-featureless-rifle-maker-juggernaut-tactical\/","title":{"rendered":"California DOJ Goes After ‘Featureless’ Rifle Maker Juggernaut Tactical"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"California
The California DOJ says Juggernaut’s “Featureless Series” falls within the definition of “assault rifle.”<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The California Department of Justice issued a cease-and-desist letter this week to an Orange County gunmaker that it claims is trying to take advantage of a loophole in the state\u2019s \u201cassault weapons\u201d law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juggernaut Tactical recently began selling a \u201cFeatureless Series\u201d of rifles fitted with what looks like a standard pistol grip. Pistol grips are considered one of the features of an \u201cassault rifle\u201d in California, which are banned in the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Two months after receiving notice about Juggernaut Tactical\u2019s new rifles, Attorney General Rob Bonta issued a cease-and-desist letter informing the company that its interpretation of the pistol grip law is incorrect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cOur assault weapons ban is a landmark piece of legislation that has saved the lives of countless Californians \u2014 firearms manufacturers can\u2019t ignore the law simply because it suits their bottom line,\u201d Bonta said<\/a>. \u201cIn California, our firearm regulations were written with the safety of the public and the rights of responsible gun owners in mind. Rather than abide by the law, Juggernaut chose to disregard it by manufacturing and selling a series of illegal assault weapons. Today\u2019s cease-and-desist letter is a warning that we hope is heeded so that no further action becomes necessary.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GunsAmerica reached out to Juggernaut Tactical but did not receive a response by publication time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEE ALSO: California Lawmakers Introduce Bill that Would Let \u2018Victims\u2019 Sue Gun Makers<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Juggernaut\u2019s Featureless Series relies on a specific interpretation of California\u2019s definition of \u201cpistol grip.\u201d California law stipulates that a pistol grip is \u201ca grip that allows for a pistol style grasp in which the web of the trigger hand (between the thumb and index finger) can be placed beneath or below the top of the exposed portion of the trigger<\/em> while firing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Juggernaut argues in an explainer<\/a> posted on its website that Featureless Series rifles are not fitted with pistol grips because the web of the hand is placed above<\/em> the top exposed portion of the trigger. By lowering the receiver just a few inches, Juggernaut claims to have designed a rifle that is not outfitted with a pistol grip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAfter a deep dive into California\u2019s assault weapon laws and regulations, we feel we\u2019re on pretty solid ground,\u201d the company says on its website.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Not surprisingly, the California DOJ disagrees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cJuggernaut\u2019s website acknowledges that Juggernaut is trying to effectively rewrite the applicable regulatory definition to make its \u2018Featureless Series\u2019 rifles fall outside the definition of an assault weapon,\u201d Luis Lopez, director of the agency\u2019s bureau of firearms, said in the cease-and-desist letter<\/a>. \u201cJuggernaut\u2019s website makes clear that the justification for the legality of its \u2018Featureless Series\u2019 rifles is based on a regulatory definition that Juggernaut wishes existed, as opposed to the one that currently exists in law.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

SEE ALSO: New California Bill Allowing Gun Owner Information to Be Shared with Nonprofits Comes Under Fire<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Juggernaut argues that the proper interpretation of \u201ccan be placed\u201d should be \u201cis intended to be placed.\u201d Since Featureless Series rifles are designed to be used with the web of the hand above the top of the trigger, they believe their rifles fall outside the state\u2019s definition of \u201cassault weapon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bonta is requesting proof of the following, and he makes clear that he won\u2019t exempt Juggernaut customers who have already purchased a Featureless rifle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n