Chapter 135 (H.4885) – Muzzle Loading/Antique Firearms

The following should not be taken as legal advice.

WARNING to hunters and re-enactors without a firearm license!

The exemption for possessing the ammunition for antique firearms/muzzle loaders without a license has been repealed! It is our understanding that possession of black powder (or substitutes), priming caps, musket balls, mini-balls, etc. would require an LTC or FID to purchase and possess. It appears that a non-licensed individual can own the gun, but not anything that would make it fire.

An “antique firearm” or muzzle loader does not include anything:

• Incorporates a firearm frame or receiver.
• Has been converted into a muzzle loading firearm.
• Is a muzzle loading firearm that can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof.
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“Antique firearm”, any firearm or replica thereof manufactured in or prior to the year 1899 if such firearm: (i) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition; or (ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition that is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade; provided, that “antique firearm” shall include any muzzle loading rifle, shotgun or pistol that is designed to use black powder, or a black powder substitute, and that cannot use fixed ammunition, unless the firearm: (a) incorporates a firearm frame or receiver; (b) is converted into a muzzle loading firearm; or (c) is a muzzle loading firearm that can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof.

“Firearm”, a stun gun, pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, sawed-off shotgun, large capacity firearm, assault-style firearm and machine gun, loaded or unloaded, which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a shot or bullet; the frame or receiver of any such firearm or the unfinished frame or receiver of any such firearm; provided, however, that “firearm” shall not include any antique firearm or permanently inoperable firearm.