The shotgun has been a traditional tool of choice for hunting and personal defense.  But only a few significant changes have been made to this weapon in over 100 years.  We now live in the dawning of the 21st century, and it is only fitting that we see new developments in shotgun technology.

The American AA-12 automatic shotgun traces its beginning to the hands of Maxwell Atchisson in the second half of the last century.  Since then through to 2005, the Atchisson Assault weapon got some serious modifications to make it the formidable front line combat machine that it is today.  According to it’s current developer, Jerry Baber of Military Police Systems, the AA-12 is quite possibly the most powerful weapon in the world.  That’s a tall claim in light of the innumerable nuclear warheads knocking about the planet, but he makes a point.  Most battles are fought in close quarters and on the streets of populated urban hubs.  An automatic 12-gauge shotgun capable of firing a reported 300 rounds per minute would seem almost certainly unstoppable.

THE UPPER HAND

There are a few clever ways to employ the AA-12.  As might be expected, it can throw enough lead downrange in such a short time that it virtually writes off any assailant on foot.  Stainless steel and titanium alloy shot can be fired into a moving automobile, destroying all occupants.  Frag-12 shells can deliver grenade-like bursts which can be considered a force-multiplier in any defensive or offensive campaign.  Although designed for military and police use, certain states in the U.S.A. will issue civilian licenses for the AA-12 and similar automatic weapons, after an applicant satisfies that jurisdiction’s requirements.