@article{MAKHILLJAVA201312104119,
    title = {Ballistic Examination Findings of Sawed-Off Shotguns Referred to Council of Forensic Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey},
    journal = {Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances},
    volume = {12},
    number = {10},
    pages = {977-981},
    year = {2013},
    issn = {1680-5593},
    doi = {javaa.2013.977.981},
    url = {https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?issn=1680-5593&doi=javaa.2013.977.981},
    author = {Bahadir,Ercan and},
    keywords = {Shorter gun,muzzle velocity,weapon,caliber,firing ability},
    abstract = {A sawed-off shotgun is a type of shotgun with a shorter gun 
  barrel and often a shorter or absent stock. Due to a lower muzzle velocity and 
  wider spread of shot these sawed-off shotguns have a shorter effective range. 
  In spite of these disadvantages, the main purpose of shortening the barrels 
  is to make them easier to conceal and transport. In this study, researchers 
  aimed to document the findings of shots on experimental targets at different 
  ranges by use of a sawed off and a regular shotgun. Reports of Ballistic Division 
  of Physical Examination Department of Council of Forensic Medicine between the 
  years 2009 to 2012 were retrospectively searched. Reports on sawed-off shotguns 
  were evaluated on the basis of the type of the weapon, length of the barrel, 
  ratio of the barrel length to the whole length, caliber, firing ability. Total 
  files of the Ballistic Division between the years 2009 to 2012 were 6199. Retrospective 
  evaluation of the files revealed presence of total 48 sawed-off shotgun cases. 
  Trial shots by a sawed-off shotgun revealed similar defects on the cotton targets 
  with the shots of a regular shotgun for the ranges of 50, 75 and 100 cm. These 
  kinds of shotguns are being used in criminal acts mostly for the purpose of 
  concealing it easily. The range of fire of these shotguns and the overall effects 
  may be different due to shorter barrel length. In evaluation of cases with these 
  guns this issue must be in mind. In order to decrease the use of sawed off shotguns 
  in criminal acts in the country these kind of shotguns must be accepted as handguns 
  due to lacking the nature of being a shotgun and the penalties must be imposed 
  accordingly.}
    }