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Air Gun Home Forum Index » General Air Gun Questions and Topics » Definition of a Firearm in the USA    View previous topic :: View next topic  Definition of a Firearm in the USA   Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 10:33 pm rsterne Moderator Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 2998 Location: Coalmont, BC I have been trying to find out if an Airgun is considered a Firearm in the USA.... I found this FAQ on the BATF website: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/firearms-technology.html It seems pretty clear that as far as the Federal Gov't in the US is concerned.... airguns are NOT firearms.... I would suggest anybody interested visit the website and print out a copy of the first question on that page.... Bob _________________ Dominion Marksman Silver Shield - 5890 x 6000 in 1976, and downhill ever since! Airsonal: Too many to count! maybe, maybe not   Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:12 pm Dukemeister Member Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 92 Location: Ontario, Canada Bob, there is an interesting current thread on the Yellow as to whether airguns are firearms for the purpose of insurance. It seems that State and local definitions override the US federal definition, as may be expected. So don't rely on the federal definition, make sure to check local and state law before "crossing the border". _________________ Duke ))))----//----------==   Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:15 pm rsterne Moderator Joined: 15 Jan 2008 Posts: 2998 Location: Coalmont, BC Yes, it says that right in the answer on that page.... Bob _________________ Dominion Marksman Silver Shield - 5890 x 6000 in 1976, and downhill ever since! Airsonal: Too many to count!   Posted: Mon Jan 31, 2011 11:51 pm sniper Silver Status Member Joined: 28 Nov 2008 Posts: 3752 Location: Star, Idaho state to state is different. Crosman is putting us "on the map". what is won't be for long. _________________ I believe in gun control, If there's a gun around I want to be controlling it.......   Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 9:57 am Slavia Moderator Joined: 31 Mar 2008 Posts: 4382 Location: Waseca, Minnesota, USA There is a whole patchwork of state and local definitions that relate to sales, possession, age requirements, and use. Here in Minnesota an airgun can be a firearm if it's used in the commission of a crime, but not a firearm for hunting. The Minnesota constitution has a pre-emption clause, which means local laws have to follow state definitions. While counties and municipalities can't usurp laws regulating sales and possession, they can regulate discharge within their jurisdictions. There is a minor movement in the U.S. that has the potential to make things worse (or better, depending upon where you live). Some maintain that the only constitutional basis for regulating firearms is a clause that allows the federal government to regulate interstate commerce. If an item is legal in a particular state, produced in that state, and sold in that state for use by its people within the state - then they maintain that the feds have nothing to say about it. It's not limited to guns - there is a Minnesota company that wants to make incandescent light bulbs after the federal ban goes into effect. The shooting part of the civil war ended in 1865, but they're still working on the states' rights part. _________________ ¡Listo! ¡Apunte! ¡Fuego!   Posted: Tue Feb 01, 2011 1:19 pm Mark5043 Silver Status Member Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 1379 sniper wrote: state to state is different. Crosman is putting us "on the map". what is won't be for long. I would have to agree with you there. Okay so,an air gun is clearly not a firearm by Federal Definition. However...look at the MAR .177 AR-15 upper.This could get tricky. If you look at the Federal definition closely,any component of a firearm that has the serial # on it IS a firearm in and of itself.Now if we put Crosman's upper on an AR-15 lower and there is a serial# on the lower it's still a firearm no matter what.I'm not very familiar with the platform,so I can't say whether the serial number is on the action,or the lower itself...or both? _________________   Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 6:41 pm oddtodd Silver Status Member Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 2029 Location: Richmond, IN USA The serial number is found on the CO2 tube where it useds to be rolled in the metal. now it made into into the finish somehow by some manner of finish. _________________ Airguns: Two starlings talking "Larry, did you hear that? Larry?? LARRY!!!!"   Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:02 am 1377x Member Joined: 03 Mar 2010 Posts: 38 Location: upper midwest usa i live in the us some cities have ordinances that consider airguns firearms   Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 10:13 am oddtodd Silver Status Member Joined: 30 Dec 2008 Posts: 2029 Location: Richmond, IN USA My local city ordinance locks everything up as a projectile gun. That covers everything from a bb pistol to a 50 cal barrett and including compound bows to even lawn darts. Even a boomerang is a gun here. _________________ Airguns: Two starlings talking "Larry, did you hear that? Larry?? LARRY!!!!"   Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 3:06 pm Mark5043 Silver Status Member Joined: 12 Apr 2009 Posts: 1379 I'm pretty lucky where I am....air guns are not considered firearms in my county...."yet"...just can't discharge in city limits.... _________________ Definition of a Firearm in the USA     Air Gun Home Forum Index » General Air Gun Questions and Topics You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum All times are GMT - 5 Hours   Page 1 of 1   All Posts1 Day7 Days2 Weeks1 Month3 Months6 Months1 Year Oldest FirstNewest First  Select a forum Main Forums----------------AirGunHome Q&AGeneral Air Gun Questions and TopicsPicture GalleryTarget Shooting: Casual, Fun and CompetitionHunting, Pest Control, Varminting People/Events/Airgun Issue Discussion----------------Introduce YourselfThe BS TopicClubs/Events/Regional/Political Airgun Issues Maintenance, Modification and Reviews----------------RiflesPistolsAntique, Collector and Novelty AirgunsBB GunsPellets/AmmoOpticsAccessoriesAirgun Smithing Buy, Sell or Trade Forums----------------For SaleWant to Buy   Note: If you are seeing "Please enter your username and password to log in." 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