What States' Laws Say About Antique Firearms
There is no hotter trending topic today than our Second Amendment rights to keep and bear firearms. Every day we hear in the news about leftist politicians taking this Second Amendment away from law-abiding citizens. Law-abiding citizens who are responsible gun owners seek gun training and licensing. Law abiding-citizens want to follow the law and do it right. The question remains,

Q. Do you have to have a gun permit owning collectors firearms?
A. A license is your permit to carry a firearm. However, some states say that antique guns do not apply.

Owning new or antique firearms remains a hot topic, constantly bringing to the surface many questions, and sometimes the answers are complicated because each state has its laws and regulations for gun owners that may differ from other states.
Kentucky has the most lenient gun laws and regulations, clearly outlining noted limitations. Because each state has its rules and regulations, it is challenging to decide what is true. It makes no difference if your firearm is modern or antique; states across America say you must have a license for owning any kind of gun, contemporary or antique. You can legally own an antique firearm, but you must have a permit to possess it; there are no exceptions.

Even though you are simply a collector of antique firearms, and you never intend on firing the weapon, today's laws and firearm regulations pertain to your situation. There are a few steps you must take to own that firearm. These steps are as follows. First, you must find out how your state views antique guns. It would be best if you answered the following questions.

Q. What does your state consider an antique gun?

Q. How do you plan to store this antique gun?
Check your gun laws if you want to buy an antique gun or already own one. If you move, you must check the laws of that state as they may be different. If your initial state said you were legal, your new state might not say you are legal.

Examples of State Laws and Regulations
• Some states prohibit you from owning or buying a firearm if you are a convicted felon.

• Some states say that collectors firearms do not apply. But, states differ on what they consider an antique firearm.

• Some states say that a felon may purchase certain types of firearms such as pistols, shotguns, and muzzle-loading rifles that use black powder rather than fixed ammunitions are legal for felons to own.

• Some states say that if these guns were converted to use fixed ammunition, a felon might not own them.

• States differ in their regulations regarding barrel length, flintlocks, and who may hold them.

• Some states exempt antique firearms from licensing and ownership requirements. The federal law defines an antique gun as any gun made before 1898. More modern firearms were produced well after 1898 to mimic an antique gun is considered an antique.

Most states across America follow the federal guideline's definition of collectors firearms. Another explanation is that if the gun was produced at least 50 years ago and production of that gun stopped, it is considered antique. It is best if you speak to an authority on your state's gun laws regarding owning antique firearms, such as state government regulating firearms or a licensed gun dealer in your area, may be your number one choice for information. If you are a felon, your best source of information is a criminal defense attorney.

Licensing of Antique Firearms
Generally, you do not need a license to buy or own an antique gun. If you do not have a permit, this can hamper your ability to transport your gun, such as moving to another state. Not having a license hampers your ability to sell this gun to another person.

You must review the state's transport laws unless you have a curios and relics license, another type of gun license obtained through the AFT for the sole purpose of buying and selling antique firearms. Download the application form on the AFT website. You can sidestep getting a regular gun license through a licensed dealer. One regulation you must abide by is to keep a log of each antique firearm you buy or sell. You must,

• Record the type of firearm
• The model
• The make
• Serial number
• The buyer or seller's name and address

If you are a collector and buy antique guns simply for display in your home, and you never intend on using them, most states explain that you do not need a license. The exception to this law is if you are importing an antique firearm from another country, you must register the gun through a registered firearms' dealer. If the gun is over 100 years old, it is duty-free transport internationally, but you must be able to prove the gun's age with the proper documentation.

There are specific state weapons laws for everything about your antique firearm. Your state regulates and controls how you make the final transfer of your gun. The bottom line is to check with your state regarding their weapons laws before owning, buying, selling, and transporting collector's firearms.