Black powder firearms and Cali law

[TonyNorCal]

It's my understanding that black powder firearms do not require an FFL transfer (as those regulate cartridge firearms).

Correct me if this is mistaken. And if correct does this apply to black powder handguns as well?

Thanks

[dadoody]

You can buy a black powder gun over the counter and walk out the door with it after money is exchanged.

I'd like to see the media try and change this buy going in and doing a story about it. Then they can cover the history of black powder guns. Maybe bring up the fact that Lincoln was killed with one. It would be amusing.

[socalguns]

No it wouldn't be amusing

[bu-bye]

Its my understanding that only front loading black powder guns don't need to go through an FFL. There are some rear loading black guns that must go through an FFL.

[Telpierion]

An antique does not need to go through an FFL. Black powder doesn't make it an antique. Most muzzle loaders are antiques regardless of age. There are some exceptions like one which can be configured as muzzle loaders and cartridge firearms. Any cartridge firearm must be made prior to 1898 to be considered an antique.

[Ericthenorse]

It has nothing to do with it being an antique.. you can go right now and buy a new black powder rifle or pistol right now and be able to take it right home with you... What matters is how it is loaded, and what it is loaded with.. Some pistols can be adapted to fire a cartridge, but you would still have to load your own ammo, because smokeless ammo would blow it up. What you CAN do after you own it has nothing to do with it. All black powder guns can be gotten from a dealer or mail-order with no DROS...

[Telpierion]

It has nothing to do with it being an antique..

No, it being an antique has everything to do with it.

you can go right now and buy a new black powder rifle or pistol right now and be able to take it right home with you...

The reason you can do that is because they are classified as antiques and therefore, are not considered firearms.

What matters is how it is loaded, and what it is loaded with.. Some pistols can be adapted to fire a cartridge, but you would still have to load your own ammo, because smokeless ammo would blow it up.

If it fires cartridge ammunition it is not considered an antique and it must go through an FFL unless, it was actually manufactured prior to 1898. Whether it fires black powder or smokeless powder is irrelevant.

What you CAN do after you own it has nothing to do with it.

Wrong, if it can fire cartridge ammunition, by design it is not an antique unless, it was actually manufactured prior to 1898. Now if you make modifications to allow it to fire cartridge ammunition you would effectively be manufacturing a firearm. That is a whole different can of worms to be opened up.

All black powder guns can be gotten from a dealer or mail-order with no DROS...

No, only black powder guns which are antiques, and not all of them are, can be gotten from a dealer or mail-order with no DROS.

[blacklisted]

No, only black powder guns which are antiques, and not all of them are, can be gotten from a dealer or mail-order with no DROS.

Are we talking about muzzleloaders here? Because I'm pretty sure antique status is irrelevant.

[Telpierion]

Are we talking about muzzleloaders here? Because I'm pretty sure antique status is irrelevant.

Muzzleloaders have antique status regardless of age and their antique status is what exempts them from going through an FFL. The exception is muzzleloaders which can be configured to fire cartage ammunition by switching out barrels or some other method. They are firearms and must go through an FFL, unless they were made prior to 1898.