[bobbo]

I had an idea yesterday...

The Gun Control Act of 1968 set antique firearms as guns made before Jan. 1, 1899. When the law was written, that was any gun more than 70 years old. Now, that's any gun more than 113 years old.

Would anyone else suggest to legislators at the federal level changing the definition of an antique, to, say, 100 years old? I think that would go very well with the 50-year-old definition of a C&R firearm.

Anyone else think this is a good idea?

[USAF_Vet]

Many things that get outdated over time, laws are no exception. I for one think that a set date doesn't make sense. Eventually there will come a time when an AR-15 is antiquated. It's status as an antique shouldn't be in jeopardy just because it was made in 2011, not 1898. I view my 1925 M91/30 as an antique.

[xcgates]

In other words, kind of like how (at least some) states do old vehicles, anything over X years from current date. Sounds reasonable, which is one reason why I suspect politicians will never go for it.

But I'll be more than happy to bug the living daylight out of them!

[bobbo]

Exactly...

I think I'll write up the legislation and post it on here... Surprisingly not all that hard, actually.

[Hendiadys]

Would this mean a firearms' actual age ... or age of the design...

I have several flintlock and percussion rifles that are of recent manufacture.

[xcgates]

Date of manufacture, date of design would be a sketchy thing to pin down.

[bobbo]

Would this mean a firearms' actual age ... or age of the design...

I have several flintlock and percussion rifles that are of recent manufacture.

Actual age. Age of design doesn't count, like how Uberti makes clones of 1873 Winchesters, and those are not antiques (and never will be under current law, even 200 years in the future).

BTW, Muzzle-loaders are not considered firearms by federal law, i.e: you can ship them without going to an FFL, and you don't have to fill out a 4437 when you buy one from a store.