March 2006 Page 4

Black Powder Revolver

The Online Magazine and Resource for Black Powder Revolvers

kids use them as marbles. If you’re cleaning up or raking lead from a range, wet it down first to reduce the dust. In you work at a range, consult your local environmental health department to see if you are required to have a lead abatement program. In most states, hobbyists (that’s us) are exempt from lead containment regulations. Casting balls and bullets is a little different, but that’s a topic for another article.

Sources:
California Department of Health Services Bulletin 96-1 “Point Blank – Lead Hazards at Indoor Firing Ranges” www.dhs.ca.gov/ohb/olppp/pntblnl1.htm

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency “Lead in Paint, Dust, and Soil” www.epa.gov/lead/index.html

U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety & Health Administration www.osha.gov/SLTC/lead/index.html
_____________________________
Firearms Laws and Black Powder Replicas
Are Black Powder firearms restricted by Firearms Laws? Well, yes and no. Under Federal Law, no. Replicas are specifically excluded. The NRA provides the following summary of Federal Laws as relates to Black Powder replicas:

“Antique firearms and replicas are exempted from the aforementioned restrictions. Antique firearms are defined as: any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898, and any replica of a firearm as designed above if the replica is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire ammunition, or uses fixed ammunition, which is no longer manufactured in the

United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels or commercial trade, any muzzle loading rifle, muzzle loading shotgun, or muzzle loading pistol, which is designed to use black powder, or a black powder substitute, and which cannot use fixed ammunition.”
Source: NRA-ILA A Citizens Guide to Federal Firearms Laws

While this may be good news as relates to Federal Law, you may be faced with more restrictive State or Local laws or ordinances. Many online retailers list the states that they will not ship to, but these listings may not be totally accurate. I was recently shopping for a Black Powder replica and was informed on one site that the retailer could not ship to California. Knowing that this was not correct, I found the same revolver on another retail site that did not restrict sales to California. The best way to find out what the laws are in your area is to ask. Most law enforcement agencies will be able to give you the straight scoop on owning replicas. You might also check your State Attorney Generals web site. Usually they include information on gun laws. Even though Black Powder replicas aren’t subject to Federal and many State laws, you may still be liable under deadly weapons or concealed weapons laws. The easiest and safest thing to do is find out before you run into trouble. Hey, we’re the good guys right?

(The above is provided for information only and is not intended to be legal advice. If you need legal advice, find a real lawyer)

For more information see:

NRA-ILA A Citizens Guide to Federal Firearms Laws
www.nraila.org/GunLaws/FederalGunLaws.aspx?ID=60

Lead continued

Firearms Laws and Black Powder Replicas
See below

March 2006 Edition

Page 4