Editing Franchi SPAS-12 (section)

===Importers===
[[File:Franchi SPAS 12-P5120256-gradient.jpg|thumb|Franchi SPAS-12 with butt hook attached to stock]]
In the United States, there were two importers of SPAS-12 shotguns. Importation of the SPAS-12 into the United States began in 1982 and ended in 1989 under F.I.E. Corp. In 1989, F.I.E. suffered from major losses in sales due to the president's importation ban, which was a reinterpretation of 18 U.S.C. 925(d)(3) that required firearms to have a "sporting purpose" in order to be imported.

In 1990 American Arms incorporated purchased all remaining inventories of parts and SPAS-12 shotguns from the now-bankrupt F.I.E Corp and began the re-importation of the Franchi SPAS-12 as the (Sporting Purpose Automatic Shotgun) under newly approved restrictions until 1994. The ATF allowed the importation of a SPAS-12 variant from American Arms because its size, weight, bulk and modified configuration were such that it was particularly suitable for traditional shooting sports.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.atf.gov/files/firearms/industry/january-2011-importability-of-certain-shotguns.pdf |title=Study on the Importability of certain shotguns |date=January 2011 |website=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives}}</ref>

The SPAS-12 was tested by the U.S. Coast Guard and showed promising results but again was not considered cost-effective for a contract over other available suppliers. The Assault Weapons Ban of September 1994 caused American Arms to stop the importation of the SPAS-12 with major losses of sales due to the legal restrictions invoked by the U.S. Assault Weapons Ban.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spas-12.com/home/the-coolest-email-youll-read-all-day |title=The Coolest Email You'll Read All Day |work=The SPAS 12 Project}}</ref>

Both importers placed numerous additional orders for the SPAS-12 that were never complete due to U.S. restrictions throughout importation. This was the reason for such few numbers of shotguns imported into the United States.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.atf.gov/content/firearms/firearms-technology |title=Firearms and Ammunition Technology |date=October 5, 2020 |work=Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives}}</ref>