antique gift to felon?

Clearly this is somebody you care about. Unless you're absolutely certain of the legalities, don't risk getting him into trouble. I know that you have only good intentions but you should consider giving him something else he'll really appreciate.

backbencher said:

If it's an antique, why would it matter if it's cartridge loading? As this is a national board, I'm asking questions about Federal law.

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While you might be asking about Federal law, it might still be completely illegal for a felon to be in possession of an antique firearm according to state law. But....since you want the Federal answer:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/921

18 USC 921:

(3) The term “firearm” means
(A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive;
(B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
(C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or
(D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.

However, be aware that "cartridge" type ammunition certainly does apply, because while the felon may be legal to possess the antique at the Federal law level, they are still prohibited from possessing any ammunition.....

From 18 USC 921 also:

(17)
(A) The term “ammunition” means ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or propellent powder designed for use in any firearm.

As there is an exception to an "antique firearm", there is also an exception to certain "antique ammunition" cartridges. I'm not sure if the cartridge mentioned above is included; for it to be, it must be no longer made in the US (if it even ever was), and be no longer "readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade" (quite an ambiguous qualifier.)
It's tricky.. I think I'd stick with a gift of a nice black powder revolver or pistol, assuming there are no state or local prohibitions.

Unless you're absolutely certain of the legalities, don't risk getting him into trouble.

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Not to mention yourself. Not only will he get in trouble, but if it is deemed illegal, you've just provided a firearm to someone you have knowledge is a felon. Not good.

NavyLCDR said:

While you might be asking about Federal law, it might still be completely illegal for a felon to be in possession of an antique firearm according to state law. But....since you want the Federal answer:

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/921

18 USC 921:

(3) The term “firearm” means
(A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive;
(B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
(C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or
(D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.

However, be aware that "cartridge" type ammunition certainly does apply, because while the felon may be legal to possess the antique at the Federal law level, they are still prohibited from possessing any ammunition.....

From 18 USC 921 also:

(17)
(A) The term “ammunition” means ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or propellent powder designed for use in any firearm.

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The term “ammunition” means ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or propellent powder designed for use in any firearm.

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But things that go bang in an "Antique Firearm" cannot be "Ammunition" because an "Antique Firearm" is not a "Firearm".

Unless. of course, those things can also be used as "Ammunition" in a "Firearm".

Frank, here is what I saw in definition 16 (B-ii)

(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; or
(B) any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica—
(i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or
(ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade; or
(C) any muzzle loading rifle, muzzle loading shotgun, or muzzle loading pistol, which is designed to use black powder, or a black powder substitute, and which cannot use fixed ammunition. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “antique firearm” shall not include any weapon which incorporates a firearm frame or receiver, any firearm which is converted into a muzzle loading weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon which can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof

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Now, in re-reading this, I see where the exclusion of the mentioned cartridge ammunition from the prohibition appears to apply only in cases in which the "antique firearm" involved is a replica of one manufactured before 1899, and does not seem to include any antique firearm actually manufactured before 1899. I find that curious.
Since there is no code reading that "antique ammunition" is exempt from the prohibition (of possession by a felon), I'd guess that, while possesion of such a defined "antique firearm" is okay, possession of its ammunition, if of a cartridge type, regardless of its age or availability, remains prohibited. If I'm right, then the gun involved in the OP would be permissible to gift (and for the felon to receive), but could never be fired lawfully by him, as he could never possess ammunition for it.
That does also seem to apply to black-powder firearms as well; would be legal to own and possess (assuming made before, or replicating guns made before, 1899), but never to be fired, as the components required to load them are prohibited.

For felony purposes, even an antique is typically considered a firearm, even if by other definitions it is not. So no, it is not legal for him to have it, and not legal for you to furnish it.

From the ATF:
http://www.atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5300-4.pdf

Page 160:

"8. ANTIQUE FIREARMS
Under section 921(a)(16) of the GCA,
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; or
(B) any replica of any firearm described
in subparagraph (A) if such
replica—
(i) is not designed or redesigned
for using rimfire or conventional
centerfire fixed ammunition, or
(ii) uses rimfire or conventional
centerfire fixed ammunition which is
no longer manufactured in the
United States and which is not
readily available in the ordinary
channels of commercial trade; or
(C) any muzzle loading rifle, muzzle
loading shotgun, or muzzle loading
pistol, which is designed to use
black powder, or a black powder substitute,
and which cannot use fixed
ammunition.
For purposes of subparagraph (C), a
muzzle loading rifle, shotgun, or pistol is
not an “antique firearm” for purposes of
the GCA if it incorporates a firearm
frame or receiver, if it is a firearm which
is converted into a muzzle loading
weapon, or if it can be readily converted
to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the
barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination
of such parts.
...
An antique firearm as defined in both
the GCA and NFA is exempt from all of
the provisions and restrictions contained
in both laws. Consequently, such an
antique firearm may be bought, sold,
transported, shipped, etc., without regard
to the requirements of these laws."

Again, this applies at only the Federal Level. State laws may prohibit the possession of antique and/or black powder firearms where they are not prohibited by Federal law.

A lot of it depends on state law, and how that interacts with federal law.
Some states consider them firearms and some do not.
Some states also consider them firearms for some purposes and not others.


In Texas I seem to recall a statute that says felons who have gone 5 years since the offense, and 5 years since the end of thier parole/probation completion can have a firearm in the home.
It only applies to thier residence though if I recall, they cannot have it out hunting, CCWing, or at the local range.
While federal law would still prohibit them from owning a firearm as defined by the 1968 GCA.
This would mean even if Texas considered black powder firearms 'firearms', they would no longer be prohibited under state law to have one at home, and could legally have an exempted non 'firearm' under federal law, in thier home after those 5 years.


However they would not be legal under state law to take it out and use it I don't believe, just have it at home.

The thrust or intent of Texas law is that an out-of-jail felon has the right of armed self-defense within his residence--but ONLY there.

^^ Yep, that's what I was getting at in post 11. Antique gun okay, ammunition or components of ammunition for it not okay.

"Go bang" stuff designed exclusively for use in 'Antique Firearms" is not "Ammunition".

Because you can still buy 7X57 Mauser ammo that is "readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade" (as the law puts it) then the possession of the ammo is clearly prohibited. So this would also mean that he couldn't fire the rifle as he would be in possession of prohibited ammunition.

As for having the rifle itself, if it was to be used for hunting, home defense, etc then federal law makes it a no-go due to the ammo prohibition and other things. If that is the reason you want to give it to him, then buy him a can of mace and a Louisville Slugger.

However, if you are giving it to him as a comemorative item then it is ok due to the antique firearm definition. If that is the reason you want to give it to him go the extra step and get a display rack/case and have a nice plaque made stating what the significance is (i.e.: new job, graduating college, staying sober for a certain time, etc.).

Brboyer writes:

"Go bang" stuff designed exclusively for use in 'Antique Firearms" is not "Ammunition".

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Review the text below, quoted from the USC section:

17)
(A) The term “ammunition” means ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or propellent powder designed for use in any firearm.

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I don't see any exclusion for "antique firearms". The phrase any firearm reads pretty clearly to me.

While I could get into the debate about whether they can or cannot have various forms of things for firing...
Lets assume they cannot buy ammunition.
Can they make thier own components?
Make some nitric acid and start creating thier own primers?

While that may be beyond the ability or comfort level of many, what is the legality of creating such things for use.

Also outside of felons what is the legality? I can just see claims of someone making such things being the next terrorist, brought up on such charges. Yet it would seem that anything needed to utilize arms protected under the Second Amendment would be protected, and the Supreme Court just said common firearms are protected and likewise the ammunition they require.
At the same time anyone making all but tiny batches of such stuff at a time in thier home would be putting themselves and others in danger.
So can someone legally make thier own primers from scratch?

I don't see any exclusion for "antique firearms". The phrase any firearm reads pretty clearly to me.

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Actually on the contrary, the term 'firearm' specifically means a firearm as described by federal law, and such a firearm does not include various things like some muzzle loaders.
Arguably then those nipples/primers and powder for things not defined as a 'firearm' would not be covered.
The spirit of the law also clearly is intending to not include certain guns as 'firearms' under the law, and that would seem to indicate the spirit of the law extends to those things required by those other guns.
(However not definitively enough that I would put myself in such legal areas. Even lawyers that prevail are costly.)

MedWheeler said:

Brboyer writes:

"Go bang" stuff designed exclusively for use in 'Antique Firearms" is not "Ammunition".

Click to expand...

Review the text below, quoted from the USC section:

(A) The term “ammunition” means ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or propellent powder designed for use in any firearm.

Click to expand...

I don't see any exclusion for "antique firearms". The phrase any firearm reads pretty clearly to me.

Click to expand...

Me too:

(3) The term “firearm” means
(A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive;
(B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
(C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or
(D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm.

Click to expand...