Editing Carbine (section)

===United States===
Under the National Firearms Act, firearms with shoulder stocks or originally manufactured as a rifle and barrels less than {{convert|16|in|mm|abbr=on}} in length are classified as short-barreled rifles. Short-barreled rifles are restricted similarly to [[Sawed-off shotgun#United States|short-barreled shotguns]], requiring a $200 tax paid prior to manufacture or transfer – a process which can take several months. Because of this, firearms with barrels of less than {{convert|16|in|mm|abbr=on}} and a shoulder stock are uncommon. A list of firearms not covered by the NFA due to their antique status may be found here<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.atf.gov/file/84401/download |title=Curios or Relics List — Update March 2001 through May 2005 |website=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives |access-date=November 13, 2015}}</ref> or due to their ''Curio and Relic'' status may be found here;<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.atf.gov/file/84376/download |title=Curios or Relics List — Update January 2009 through June 2010 |website=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives |access-date=November 13, 2015}}</ref> these lists includes a number of carbines with barrels less than the minimum legal length and firearms that are "primarily collector's items and are not likely to be used as weapons and, therefore, are excluded from the provisions of the National Firearms Act." [[Machine gun]]s, as their own class of firearm, are not subject to requirements of other class firearms.

Distinct from simple shoulder stock kits, full carbine conversion kits are not classified as short-barreled rifles. By replacing the pistol barrel with one at least {{convert|16|in|mm|abbr=on}} in length and having an overall length of at least {{convert|26|in|mm|abbr=on}}, a carbine converted pistol may be treated as a standard rifle under Title I of the [[Gun Control Act of 1968]] (GCA).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.atf.gov/file/55526/download |title=ATF Rule 2011-4 pertaining to Carbine Conversion Units |website=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives |access-date=November 16, 2015}}</ref> However, certain "Broomhandle" Mauser C96, Luger, and Browning Hi-Power Curio & Relic pistols with their originally issued stock attached only may retain their pistol classification.

Carbines without a stock and not originally manufactured as a rifle are not classified as rifles or short barreled rifles. A carbine manufactured under {{convert|26|in|mm|abbr=on}} in length [[Foregrip#Legality on pistols in the United States|without a forward vertical grip]] will be a pistol and, state law notwithstanding, can be carried concealed without creating an unregistered [[Title II weapons#Any other weapon|Any Other Weapon]]. A nearly identical carbine with an overall length of {{convert|26|in|mm|abbr=on}} or greater is simply an unclassified firearm under Title I of the Gun Control Act of 1968, as the Any Other Weapon catch-all only applies to firearms under {{convert|26|in|mm|abbr=on}} or that have been concealed. However, a modification intending to fire from the shoulder and bypass the regulation of short-barreled rifles is considered the unlawful possession and manufacture of an unregistered short-barreled rifle.

In some historical cases, the term ''machine carbine'' was the official title for submachine guns, such as the British [[Sten]] and Australian [[Owen gun]]s. The semiautomatic-only version of the [[Sterling submachine gun]] was also officially called a carbine. The original Sterling semi-auto would be classed a short-barrel rifle under the U.S. National Firearms Act, but fully legal long-barrel versions of the Sterling have been made for the U.S. collector market.{{Citation needed|date=April 2013}}