Here's what my research has turned up ... I thought it might be useful for others who are interested.
- non-restricted, so you can call CFC and get it registed (and verified) or do it on-line- all while in the US. Show up at border with printed registration certificate. Easy!
Q1 states that muzzleloaders are not export controlled by the USA. This is Canada quoting US law, however, and I wanted to verify this. Good thing I did, because it's not
true.
- This is a great link I found at the US Department of Justice Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) :
See page 2 "Muzzleoafing Firearms" for great clarification on what muzzleloaders are exempt from the Gun Control Act (GCA), so wouldn't be export controlled
. Here it is:
MUZZLE LOADING FIREARMS
We frequently receive questions concerning the sale
of modern in-line muzzle loading rifles. Several
years ago ATF determined that an in-line muzzle
loading rifle using #209 shotgun primers for
ignition was not an antique firearm and was subject
to all provisions of the Gun Control Act (GCA).
However, the GCA was amended in 1998 and
many in-line muzzle loading rifles are now antique
firearms and are excluded from the provisions of
the GCA.
As defined in section 921(a)(16) of Title 18, U.S.C.
the term “antique firearm” means –
(A) any firearm (including any firearm with a
matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or
similar type of ignition system)
manufactured in or before 1898; or
(B) any replica of any firearm described in
subparagraph (A) if such replica —
(i)is not designed or redesigned for using
rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed
ammunition, or
(ii) uses rimfire or conventional centerfire
fixed ammunition which is no longer
manufactured in the United States and which
is not readily available in the ordinary channels
of commercial trade; or
(C) 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. For purposes of this
subparagraph, the term “antique firearm” shall
not include any weapon which incorporates a
firearm frame or receiver, any firearm which is
converted into a muzzle loading weapon, or any
muzzle loading weapon which can be readily
converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing
the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any
combination thereof.
Many modern in-line muzzleloaders including those
that use #209 shotgun primers for ignition now meet
the definition of “antique firearm” and are excluded
from the provisions of the GCA. However, there are
some muzzleloaders that are still firearms subject to
GCA controls. For example, firearms which can be
switched from muzzleloaders to breechloaders by
exchanging the barrel are still GCA firearms. In
addition, a modern firearm that is altered to function as
a muzzleloader is still a firearm.
The following are some examples of muzzleloaders
that are still GCA firearms:
Thompson Center G2 Contender 209-45
Thompson Center Encore 209-50
The H&R 1871 Huntsman
Rossi S50
Mauser 98 fitted with a muzzle loading barrel
Remington 870 fitted with a muzzle loading barrel
Mossberg 500 fitted with a muzzle loading barrel
Although antique firearms are not subject to GCA
controls, dealers should be aware that ammunition,
including shotgun primers, is still subject to GCA
controls. Persons who are otherwise prohibited from
possessing firearms may purchase and possess antique
firearms; however, such persons are still prohibited
from possessing and receiving ammunition, including
shotgun primers, as provided in sections 922(g) and
of the GCA respectively. Such persons may possess
ammunition for antique firearms such as percussion
caps, minie balls, and 50 pounds or less of black
powder for sporting, recreational, or cultural purposes.
Antique firearms are still subject to whatever State laws
and local ordinances may apply.
A definition I looked up that was helpful for me was "fixed ammunition", which according to the DOD and NATO is "Ammuntion in which the cartridge case is permanently attached to the projectile"
My interpretation of all of this is that most muzzleloaders (regarless of manufacture date) are considered to be an "antique firearm" and excluded from GCA law, as long as they are not easily convertible to fire fixed ammunition, and haven't been firearms that have been converted from fixed ammo firing to muzzleloaders (ie. as in the list above, a Remington 870 shotgun with a muzzleloading barrel stock onto it).
So as long as I pay attention to what muzzleloader I'm purchasing, I should be able to legally purchase and take posession of it in the US, and be able to register it with the CFC and bring it across the border.
One thing I am still confused about is this, from the long US quote ablove it stated I would not be able to purchase shotgun primers in the US, but I could purchase percussion caps. Where does a 209 primer fit into that?
If anyone see any flaws to my thinking - let me know! But hey, you can't blame a guy for trying to do it the right way! I sure can see why so many people just don't bother with buying something in the US.
