People v. Azevedo

Opinion

WIENER, Acting P. J.

—Gerald Richard Azevedo appeals the judgment entered on a jury verdict convicting him of possessing a sawed-off shotgun. (Pen. Code, § 12020, subd. (a).)

Possessing a sawed-off shotgun is lawful unless the barrel is “less than 18 inches in length” or the weapon “has a overall length of less than 26 inches.” (§ 12020, subds. (a) and (d)(1).) The principal issue here is whether a violation of section 12020, subdivision (a) requires proof of a defendant’s knowledge of the unlawful dimensions. Alternatively, may a defendant successfully defend on the ground he reasonably…