Three centuries or more ago in England people started using “spring guns” to protect their houses from burglars. When the people were not home, a burglar opens the door and gets snuffed on the spot. The English courts, which had common law for criminal law, ruled that spring guns were illegal. Basically since a person was not in jeopardy at the time of the break-in, and a person did not make the decision to use force to protect himself, it was a crime. That same concept exists in American criminal law, which is statutory as there is no common law criminal law in the US. So if the kid has to press a button to defend himself against imminent attack, then it’s ok. But if the system is completely automated so that it shoots without the kid making the actual decision, then it is not legal.
But in the zombie apocalypse is anyone really going to know or care?
My question about the legality wasn’t so much the unmanned part, but the fact that its home made, and has such a short barrel. Like did he make an NFA weapon and not realize it?
I believed he made an NFA device if it is indeed a shotgun. Somebody on youtube left a comment about smooth bore pistols and requiring an AOW. In either case be it an SBS or an AOW he probably did screw up big time.