Political Crossfire Forums

RooK · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 2006 Location: SE Kentucky

I was just curious where people stand on the legalities concerning black powder firearms, modern or traditional. Do you think they should be less regulated when compared to modern smokeless weapons? If you think guns should be banned, would you make exceptions for these firearms?

Just for perspective: In most states, you can buy a black powder firearm through the mail with no background check or questions asked. It arrives at your door and you go on your way. Much similar to the way modern firearms were treated before the GCA in the '70s.

bigstick61 · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:07 am Post subject:

I'm against them being regulated. They really aren't regulated at all Federally, and few States have regulations regarding them, and in those cases things like how to ship it or having to be 16 to buy, etc. In fact, in every State, including my home State of California, non-cartridge firearms can be legally carried concealed as they are not considered firearms or weapons by law, and I do carry one when I go to certain places (Colt revolver, .44 cal.).

Otacon · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 2:10 am Post subject:

Who actually uses them anyway? Even if they were used, leave them alone. They are fully protected by the second amendment...

TNBiologist · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 962 Location: Tennessee

Otacon wrote: Who actually uses them anyway? Even if they were used, leave them alone. They are fully protected by the second amendment...

I actually use them. I hunt with a Tompsom Center Hawken during muzzleloader season and have used a .32 cal mountain gun for squirrel. They are chalenging due to having only one shot (takes a while to reload one), a good one is aqurate out to about 75 yards, and try hitting a game animal with one without spooking it. The muzzleloading season here in TN is one of the more popular seasons for deer. It come before gun season so if you want a better shot at getting your big buck you muzzleloader hunt. That being said, no way in h^ll would I use one for defence. Too many things can go wrong. Your powder gets wet=none firing. Your primer falls off=no fire. Your vent hole gets dirty or clogged=no fire. And a second shot is slow to reload.

thundertaker · Posted: Wed Jul 12, 2006 9:07 am Post subject:

It's the storage of the black powder that concerns me. I personally couldn't care less if my next door neighbour owned a muzzle-loading musket or rifle, but I wouldn't like knowing he had a big barrel full of gunpowder stored next to my wall....

Ragnar Danneskjold · Joined: 11 Oct 2005 Posts: 2628 Location: Mulligan's Valley

thundertaker wrote: It's the storage of the black powder that concerns me. I personally couldn't care less if my next door neighbour owned a muzzle-loading musket or rifle, but I wouldn't like knowing he had a big barrel full of gunpowder stored next to my wall....

if he screws your house up, shoot him. :wink:

RooK · Joined: 16 Jul 2004 Posts: 2006 Location: SE Kentucky

thundertaker wrote: It's the storage of the black powder that concerns me. I personally couldn't care less if my next door neighbour owned a muzzle-loading musket or rifle, but I wouldn't like knowing he had a big barrel full of gunpowder stored next to my wall....

What about handloaders that own pounds of smokeless powder? They aren't as sensative as black powder, but can cause the same results under certain circumstances. There are also less-sensative black powder substitutes: Pyrodex, Triple Seven.

TNBiologist · Joined: 31 Jan 2006 Posts: 962 Location: Tennessee

thundertaker wrote: It's the storage of the black powder that concerns me. I personally couldn't care less if my next door neighbour owned a muzzle-loading musket or rifle, but I wouldn't like knowing he had a big barrel full of gunpowder stored next to my wall....

Good point. here in the US anyone that has more that 50 pounds of black powder is required by law (black powder sales are tracked) to have it stored in a seperate building a certain distance from any other structures and in a government certified storage bin. These bins are made so that it is almost impossable for the powder to ignite and even if it goes off are rated to withstand the explosion. Myself, I don't need anywhere near that much powder. I usually have around a pound (it is sold in one pound cans). I keep it in a metal military surplus ammo can in my garage. Never even had a worry about it going off. Black powder must be ignited with a heat source greater that 400 degrees C. I do not have anything in ny home other than my oven that can get that hot and I am not about to store black powder in an oven. A fire could set it off if it is buring hot enough but there are more important things for my neighbors to worry about, like the fire spreading to their homes.

perdidochas · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 15424 Location: Florida

RooK wrote: I was just curious where people stand on the legalities concerning black powder firearms, modern or traditional. Do you think they should be less regulated when compared to modern smokeless weapons? If you think guns should be banned, would you make exceptions for these firearms?

Just for perspective: In most states, you can buy a black powder firearm through the mail with no background check or questions asked. It arrives at your door and you go on your way. Much similar to the way modern firearms were treated before the GCA in the '70s.

I think all firearms should be allowed to be bought that way.

perdidochas · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 15424 Location: Florida

Otacon wrote: Who actually uses them anyway? Even if they were used, leave them alone. They are fully protected by the second amendment...

Well, most states have special muzzle loader seasons for deer and other game. It's usually somewhat longer than the modern gun season, shorter than the bow season. Sometimes the use of primitive weapons also allows the taking of does during the modern gun season.

perdidochas · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 15424 Location: Florida

thundertaker wrote: It's the storage of the black powder that concerns me. I personally couldn't care less if my next door neighbour owned a muzzle-loading musket or rifle, but I wouldn't like knowing he had a big barrel full of gunpowder stored next to my wall....

There are laws about that.

Rankor and Pissing · Joined: 04 Mar 2006 Posts: 10231

perdidochas wrote: RooK wrote: I was just curious where people stand on the legalities concerning black powder firearms, modern or traditional. Do you think they should be less regulated when compared to modern smokeless weapons? If you think guns should be banned, would you make exceptions for these firearms?

Just for perspective: In most states, you can buy a black powder firearm through the mail with no background check or questions asked. It arrives at your door and you go on your way. Much similar to the way modern firearms were treated before the GCA in the '70s.

I think all firearms should be allowed to be bought that way.

:tu:

perdidochas · Joined: 06 Mar 2006 Posts: 15424 Location: Florida

RooK wrote: thundertaker wrote: It's the storage of the black powder that concerns me. I personally couldn't care less if my next door neighbour owned a muzzle-loading musket or rifle, but I wouldn't like knowing he had a big barrel full of gunpowder stored next to my wall....

What about handloaders that own pounds of smokeless powder? They aren't as sensative as black powder, but can cause the same results under certain circumstances. There are also less-sensative black powder substitutes: Pyrodex, Triple Seven.

Smokeless powder is much more stable, and in a place where pressure doesn't build up, it burns, instead of explodes.

Boneman · Joined: 24 Feb 2006 Posts: 511

Britboy, I thought you said you were neutral?

Wolverine · Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Posts: 11045 Location: Podunk, Colorado

Leave them alone, I doubt they are the weapon of choice for criminals anyway.

Sixgun_Symphony · Joined: 28 Aug 2006 Posts: 155 Location: Land of the Free

Leave 'em alone.

BTW, I have carried a .44 caliber percussion revolver for defense. Also carried a .45 caliber percussion Derringer pistol and I had a brass framed .31 caliber percussion vest pocket Derringer attached to my watch chain.

bigstick61 · Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 2:54 am Post subject:

I currently carry a .44 percussion revolver for defense, being as that is the only way to carry in California without a CCW, which are very hard to get.

lilwolf · Joined: 15 Jun 2006 Posts: 14426 Location: idaho

I have a few black powder weapons and they are a different breed that is for sure and as such they should be left alone from government regs.

I also have a great deal of black powder and if it is stored right and common sense safety is applied there is little danger to blowing your butt away. Thing like "NO SMOKING" is on top of the list.

I also do all of my own reloading and have never had a problem in recent years with being dangerous.
Care and caution is first and formost. Cap and ball guns are the best though... :tu: