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Defining "antique" firearms
- Thread starter DRD
- Start date
It perhaps should but the actual definition is embedded in GCA68 and would require an act of Congress to alter; it is not an ATF bureaucratic definition:
(16) The term "antique firearm" means --
(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock,
percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or
before 1898;
http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/gca.htm
(16) The term "antique firearm" means --
(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock,
percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or
before 1898;
http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/gca.htm
Actually there is more in there. The term is meant to define Black Powder guns that do not accept cartridges. That is, to designate that any gun that accepts cartridge ammunition is regulated unger the GCA. Not to provide any moving scale as to what collectors would consider antiques.
22-rimfire
New member
It would be nice if the definition floated (for collectors), but in a practical sense, guns have not changed much since the introduction of smokeless powder cartridges. As an example, the original 1911 made in 1911 works just fine with current 45ACP ammunition. It is interesting how the cartridge companies have some what regulated themselves in terms of allowable pressures in cartridges as well as the design of firearms in general to accept those cartridges.
TXGunGeek said:Actually there is more in there. The term is meant to define Black Powder guns that do not accept cartridges. That is, to designate that any gun that accepts cartridge ammunition is regulated unger the GCA. Not to provide any moving scale as to what collectors would consider antiques.
Not really. There are a lot of cartridge firearms that are antiques.
It would be nice if the definition floated
In a way, it does if you are willing to spend $30.00 and get a C&R license. Anything over 50 yrs old is considered a C&R and is covered by the license.
Yes, there are some bookkeeping obligations and other regulations that need to be heeded, but IMHO, the benefits outweigh the negativies. (like crossing state lines to buy, mail-order discounts, etc.
Dean