Felony convictions and muzzleloaders

J

Jedi Oomodo

New member
My stepfather was recently paroled from prison. He has always enjoyed shooting, but due to his legal record, is prohibited from possessing firearms. If I'm not mistaken, that bupkis federal law only applies to modern cartridge firing weapons. If he wants to get back into shooting, would muzzleloaders be kosher for him, or is anything with a trigger and goes "BOOM" verboten?

Addendum: No comments on the sanity of letting him shoot even muzzeloaders- he's cleaned up his act and is on the straight and narrow. Besides, before the messed up period of his life when he did what he done(sic) he had been in prison previously anyway (he got a bad rap when he had to defend himself and the only witness didn't like him and thus perjured themself at my stepdad's trial).

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If it isna Scottish, it's CRAP! RKBA!
 
The way I understand it, Federal law doesn,t recognize a muzzle loader as a firearm nor any firearm built before 1898.

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Donnez-moi la liberté, ou donnez-moi la mort!
 
Tried to get on ATF web site site. It's down.

I believe Frenchy is right here. Since a muzzleloader uses black powder, it's not under the same restrictions as a gun that consumes smokeless powder.

Wonder why the "kits" are right out where anyone can get to them in some stores?
 
Definition of a firearm under Federal law excludes "antique" firearms as mentioned above, but here in NY it is more restrictive, defining a firearm as any weapon which uses the force of gunpowder to expell the bullet, in so many words. Theoretically, having an unloaded blackpowder pistol is ok here, but as soon as you LOAD it, you are required to have the pistol on your pistol permit. I cannont speak for other states.
The other option available to your relative would be an expungement of his record, but thats not always possible, and is expensive. He should seek legal advice on that option.

[This message has been edited by tcsd1236 (edited September 03, 2000).]
 
Here is a thought, he can always shoot your firearms as long as you are with him and it is only a range situaion.
 
I think you have problems if you are in Texas. Texas law does not recognize a difference between modern guns and muzzleloaders. Federal law does not cover any muzzleloaders but Texas does. In Texas a handgun is "any firearm that is designed, made, or adapted to be fired with one hand". and a firearm is "any device designed, made, or adapted to expel a projectile through a barrel by using the energy generated by an explosion or burning substance or any device readily convertable to that use. Firearm does not include antique or curio firearms that were manufactured prior to 1899.." As I see it the only guns Texas recognizes as "non-guns" are real antiques. Replicas made after 1899 are still firearms.

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Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club
68-70
true story, a Union Gen. once said "Don't worry about those Rebs. They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist..SPLAT.

[This message has been edited by TexasVet (edited September 03, 2000).]
 
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