Gingerbreadman
Member
Just like the title says, would a short barreled muzzle loader be a class III weapon?
It depends on what type of muzzle loader you want to shorten.
We checked with the BATF on this and they said a shotgun, muzzleloader or not, cannot have a barrel or barrels less than 18" without paying a $500.00 tax on it.
Ummm, why a $500.00 tax and why do they sell blunderbusses with under 18" barrels over the counter?
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Shureshot said:To answer your original question, an antique (muzzleloader) shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18" is still illegal if it has not had the tax payed on it. I am a black powder/muzzleloader, antique gun enthusiast. We has this question come up during a re-enactment. We checked with the BATF on this and they said a shotgun, muzzleloader or not, cannot have a barrel or barrels less than 18" without paying a $500.00 tax on it. So, we don't use them in our re-enactments.
Semper Fi!
TITLE 27--ALCOHOL, TOBACCO PRODUCTS, AND FIREARMS
CHAPTER II--BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, FIREARMS, AND EXPLOSIVES,
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
PART 479_MACHINE GUNS, DESTRUCTIVE DEVICES, AND CERTAIN OTHER FIREARMS--Table
Subpart B_Definitions
Sec. 479.11 Meaning of terms.
Firearm. (a) A shotgun having a barrel or barrels of less than 18
inches in length; (b) a weapon made from a shotgun if such weapon as
modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches or a barrel or
barrels of less than 18 inches in length; (c) a rifle having a barrel or
barrels of less than 16 inches in length; (d) a weapon made from a rifle
if such weapon as modified has an overall length of less than 26 inches
or a barrel or barrels of less than 16 inches in length; (e) any other
weapon, as defined in this subpart; (f) a machine gun; (g) a muffler or
a silencer for any firearm whether or not such firearm is included
within this definition; and (h) a destructive device. The term shall not include an antique firearm
Muzzleloader shotguns are not exempt from the tax. Per ATF.
FOUR. Some people seem to have the idea that a muzzle loader or percussion revolver can be carried concealed even if "modern" guns can't; that it is not armed robbery if an "antique" gun is used; that threatening someone with a percussion revolver cannot be punished since the gun is "not a gun."
Nonsense. Those laws don't address the type of gun, and often don't discuss guns at all, using the term "deadly weapon." Anyone who claims a percussion revolver is not a deadly weapon is an idiot and if he or his lawyer bases his defence on that claim he will go to jail.