Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN News

Anti-Gunners’ Target: Antique and Replica Guns

Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Based on incidents that are newsworthy mainly because they’re so rare, some anti-gun politicians have called for new restrictions on antique guns, replicas of antiques, and new guns that work like antiques. These guns are almost never used in crime, and are mainly owned by collectors, target shooters, and hunters who enjoy these guns’ history and the unique shooting challenges they present.

Under federal law, “antique” and “replica” guns are not regulated like modern firearms for most purposes. The exemption was added to the Gun Control Act of 1968—with the support of bill sponsors and the Johnson administration’s Justice Department—by senators who thought the original bill was “too restrictive with regard to people who collect antique [firearms].”

Antique and replica guns are defined in federal law and in many states’ laws by several characteristics:

  • Action type. Many antique guns are muzzleloaders—that is, guns that must be loaded with a bullet and separate powder charge, and ignited by a cap, flintlock or other external mechanism. This technology has been obsolete for military use since the Civil War. Muzzleloaders usually fire only a single shot, and are far slower to reload than modern firearms.
  • Age. Most firearms made before 1898 were designed for use with black powder, which generates less power (in any given caliber) than the smokeless powder used in modern ammunition. Many modern replicas of antique guns use black powder as well.
  • Ammunition availability. Antique firearms other than muzzleloaders often use obsolete types of ammunition that are no longer commercially available. Owners who want to shoot them have to craft the ammunition by hand—a task far beyond the experience of street criminals.

Anti-gun former Congressman Joseph Hoeffel (D-Pa.) repeatedly introduced federal legislation to treat antique guns as modern firearms. Ironically, Rep. Hoeffel’s own letter in support of his 2001 bill proved that antique guns are rarely used in crime. The letter cited Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms figures that indicate antique or replica guns were involved in only 0.02% of homicides, and less than 0.004% of other violent crimes, from 1997 to 2000.

This effort to restrict antiques shows that anti-gun activists are opposed to all guns, no matter how unlikely to be used in crime. They want to ban large, expensive guns like .50 caliber rifles, and small, inexpensive handguns. They want to ban the most modern semiautomatic firearms, and to restrict collectible, antique firearms. Unlike Goldilocks, they haven`t yet found a gun that’s “just right.”

IN THIS ARTICLE
Other
TRENDING NOW
Updates to ATF Final Rule on Stabilizing Braces

News  

Monday, January 30, 2023

Updates to ATF Final Rule on Stabilizing Braces

On Monday, January 30, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives’ (ATF) published the final Factoring Criteria for Firearms with Attached “Stabilizing Braces” rule for public inspection in the federal register.

U.S. House Judiciary Committee Advances Pistol Brace Resolution

News  

Monday, April 24, 2023

U.S. House Judiciary Committee Advances Pistol Brace Resolution

On April 19, the U.S. House of Representatives Judiciary Committee voted 23-15 to advance H.J.Res.44, which would reign in the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ attempt to regulate pistol stabilizing braces. The resolution employs ...

The Disingenuous “Assault Weapons” Ban

News  

Monday, May 8, 2023

The Disingenuous “Assault Weapons” Ban

On April 25, 2023, Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) signed HB1240 into law. The legislation is a sweeping, and flagrantly unconstitutional ban on commonly-owned semi-automatic firearms. The law prohibits a host of rifles by name, including America’s ...

Connecticut:  Gun Control Bill Passes the House and Moves to the Senate

Saturday, May 27, 2023

Connecticut: Gun Control Bill Passes the House and Moves to the Senate

On Thursday, the House passed HB 6667 on a vote of 96-51.  This drastic gun control legislation has a bit of everything.  It contains a ban on open carry and strengthens prohibitions and registration of semi-auto "assault ...

Louisiana House Passes Constitutional Carry

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Louisiana House Passes Constitutional Carry

Last week, the House Administration of Criminal Justice Committee held their “Gun Day,” where multiple pro-gun bills passed out of committee and the lone anti-gun measure was involuntarily deferred. Your active participation was crucial to protecting and ...

Connecticut:  Gun Control Legislation Nearing House Vote

Thursday, May 25, 2023

Connecticut: Gun Control Legislation Nearing House Vote

Gun banners in Hartford have been busy all session cooking up a concoction of more gun control.  In a state where there is already a large buffet of gun laws, it’s time for Connecticut gun ...

Illinois: Gun Seizure Mandate Inserted Into Bill

Monday, May 15, 2023

Illinois: Gun Seizure Mandate Inserted Into Bill

Last week, the House gutted House Bill 676 and amended it to include anti-gun provisions, including mandating that law-enforcement seize firearms from those who have not been convicted of a disqualifying offense. The House then ...

South Carolina: Constitutional Carry Advances to Floor from Senate Judiciary Committee

Tuesday, May 9, 2023

South Carolina: Constitutional Carry Advances to Floor from Senate Judiciary Committee

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted 12-11 to pass S.109, the NRA-backed Constitutional Carry bill, and it has now been sent to the Senate floor for further consideration. This is a huge step toward South Carolina becoming the next state ...

New York State Police Advocate: Governor’s Gun Seizure Mandate is Hindering Crime Fighting

News  

Monday, May 22, 2023

New York State Police Advocate: Governor’s Gun Seizure Mandate is Hindering Crime Fighting

Proponents of so-called “red flag” laws like to claim they are a “public safety” measure. But a union representing state police investigators in New York is sounding the alarm that a mandate handed down by ...

South Carolina Final Constitutional Carry Vote Soon - Contact Your Senator Today!

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

South Carolina Final Constitutional Carry Vote Soon - Contact Your Senator Today!

Senate Bill 109/House Bill 3594, NRA-backed constitutional carry bills, could be up for a Senate floor vote as early as this week. Your active participation has been pivotal in safeguarding and upholding our fundamental right to ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.