Cap 'n Ball sale at Cabelas

[JAB]

The conversion cylinder manufacturers say DO NOT use the conversion cylinders in brass frame revolvers.

Cabela's sends them right to your door. No FFL required.

Thanks for the info, guys.

What's the reasoning for not being a firearm according to the ATF? I'm just curious. I really want a cap and ball pistol now, thanks guys for always bringing up fun things at the worst time.

It has to do with federal government's legal definition of 'firearm'. The way I read it, most muzzleloaders are not considered to be firearms and neither are most cap and ball revolvers. Instead, they are 'antiques' or 'collectibles' - even if they are reproductions. For this reason, felons can legally possess most muzzleloaders, etc. There is a restriction on possession by felons of a black powder firearm that can be readily converted to fire centerfire or rimfire cartridges, however. The ATF actually has a list of 'exceptions' which are black powder guns that are still considered to be firearms for the purpose of possession by felons.

Here is a link to a PDF giving an explanation that comes 'right from the horse's mouth', so to speak (although sometimes I think the ATF is more like a bunch of horse's...well, you get the point.) The part about most muzzleloaders, etc. not being firearms is covered in the first question/answer about felons possessing black powder guns.

http://www.atf.gov/f...-top-10-qas.pdf

I do have to wonder how TN state law interprets cap and ball revolvers and the like. Obviously if one can receive a cap and ball revolver at their place of residence in TN without an FFL then it must not be considered a firearm for the purpose of purchasing one in TN. What I wonder is how far that special category extends. In other words, would it be legal to have a loaded cap and ball revolver in one's possession on school grounds, in a post office, etc. as such isn't a firearm? Would it be legal for a private citizen to mail an unloaded cap and ball revolver via the United States Postal Service? Would a concealed cap and ball revolver (like, maybe, one of the 'pocket models') be exempt from the stupid $500 sign law penalty? Would it be legal to carry a cap and ball revolver 'in public' without a carry permit? Sorry if that reminds anyone of 'he-who-should-not-be-named' but it does make me wonder. I don't even own a black powder revolver and would not 'push' things just because it might be technically legal as that would probably just result in the exemptions being removed. I am simply curious.

Edited May 4, 2012 by JAB

[gjohnsoniv]

I do have to wonder how TN state law interprets cap and ball revolvers and the like. Obviously if one can receive a cap and ball revolver at their place of residence in TN without an FFL then it must not be considered a firearm for the purpose of purchasing one in TN. What I wonder is how far that special category extends. In other words, would it be legal to have a loaded cap and ball revolver in one's possession on school grounds, in a post office, etc. as such isn't a firearm? Would it be legal for a private citizen to mail an unloaded cap and ball revolver via the United States Postal Service? Would a concealed cap and ball revolver (like, maybe, one of the 'pocket models') be exempt from the stupid $500 sign law penalty? Would it be legal to carry a cap and ball revolver 'in public' without a carry permit? Sorry if that reminds anyone of 'he-who-should-not-be-named' but it does make me wonder. I don't even own a black powder revolver and would not 'push' things just because it might be technically legal as that would probably just result in the exemptions being removed. I am simply curious.

I was thinking the same thing, lol.

[Clod Stomper]

Thanks for the info, guys.

It has to do with federal government's legal definition of 'firearm'. The way I read it, most muzzleloaders are not considered to be firearms and neither are most cap and ball revolvers. Instead, they are 'antiques' or 'collectibles' - even if they are reproductions. For this reason, felons can legally possess most muzzleloaders, etc. There is a restriction on possession by felons of a black powder firearm that can be readily converted to fire centerfire or rimfire cartridges, however. The ATF actually has a list of 'exceptions' which are black powder guns that are still considered to be firearms for the purpose of possession by felons.

Here is a link to a PDF giving an explanation that comes 'right from the horse's mouth', so to speak (although sometimes I think the ATF is more like a bunch of horse's...well, you get the point.) The part about most muzzleloaders, etc. not being firearms is covered in the first question/answer about felons possessing black powder guns.

http://www.atf.gov/f...-top-10-qas.pdf

I do have to wonder how TN state law interprets cap and ball revolvers and the like. Obviously if one can receive a cap and ball revolver at their place of residence in TN without an FFL then it must not be considered a firearm for the purpose of purchasing one in TN. What I wonder is how far that special category extends. In other words, would it be legal to have a loaded cap and ball revolver in one's possession on school grounds, in a post office, etc. as such isn't a firearm? Would it be legal for a private citizen to mail an unloaded cap and ball revolver via the United States Postal Service? Would a concealed cap and ball revolver (like, maybe, one of the 'pocket models') be exempt from the stupid $500 sign law penalty? Would it be legal to carry a cap and ball revolver 'in public' without a carry permit? Sorry if that reminds anyone of 'he-who-should-not-be-named' but it does make me wonder. I don't even own a black powder revolver and would not 'push' things just because it might be technically legal as that would probably just result in the exemptions being removed. I am simply curious.

Heh. I "open-carried" a cap-and-ball revolver to school in Junior High on "Cowboy Day" once. I had the Principal's permission beforehand, too, It wasn't loaded, of course. And I was a straight-A student with an exemplary record. And it was a small, rural town. And it was a quarter-century ago.....

I have to stop now. I'm getting depressed.

[JAB]

Heh. I "open-carried" a cap-and-ball revolver to school in Junior High on "Cowboy Day" once. I had the Principal's permission beforehand, too, It wasn't loaded, of course. And I was a straight-A student with an exemplary record. And it was a small, rural town. And it was a quarter-century ago.....

I have to stop now. I'm getting depressed.

I know what you mean. I graduated from Loudon High School, Class of 1989. Even back then I would have thought twice about having a loaded gun on me in school but I carried a pocket knife every day (sometimes the female teachers would ask to borrow it - the male teachers all carried their own.) No one would have thought much about a student having a rifle or shotgun and ammo in their vehicle in case they wanted to go hunting, etc. after school. IIRC, one of the male teachers often had a rifle in a gun rack in the back window of his pickup truck.

I remember one day in middle school when a buddy of mine brought a two-shot derringer to show off to some of us other boys (it wasn't loaded.) None of us were freaked out and, to my knowledge, no one said anything about it to a teacher. We weren't afraid of the gun or what he would do with it - we just thought it was cool and knew he wasn't going to start shooting up the place. It probably wasn't the smartest thing this kid ever did but no one came to any harm over it.

It only took a few, unhinged idiots and a gang of anti-gunners to ruin things for a lot of people.

Edited May 14, 2012 by JAB