The rumor mill has been grinding away since SHOT that the new 28-gauge Taurus Raging Judge has been declared a National Firearms Act item by the ATF and would not be coming out. As is often the case with rumors, this is not true according to American Rifleman Editor-in-Chief Mark Keefe.

”This is simply not the case. Taurus President and CEO Bob Morrison invited officials from the ATF's Technology Branch to discuss some of the firm's new product introductions. "I asked them to come and give some advice," Morrison said. By all accounts the meeting was cordial, professional, and not a "raid" or "gotcha" as erroneously reported elsewhere. No determination on the gun's status was made at the show. Remember, to even be in the United States at all, the prototype had to be cleared by ATF for importation. On the 28 gauge Raging Judge revolver, Taurus sought ATF's advice on some modifications to the gun and is the process of implementing the results of those suggestions. This is a very common practice; gun manufacturers and importers regularly work with ATF as the firearm industry's regulatory agency.

”Also, despite rumors to the contrary, the .45 Colt/.410 Bore lever-action Ranch Hand with the rifled barrel is good to go for importation, as is the 28 gauge Circuit Judge. You'll see them later on this year, as well as the 28 gauge Raging Judge with minor modifications.

”Rumors also abound regarding an impending ATF ruling regarding shotguns and "sporting purposes," but they have nothing to do with the 28-gauge Raging Judge.”