Here are the rules of our board. Please follow them.
This board is for the making and shooting of blackpowder mortars and cannons that meet ATF's description of an antique or replica of an antique. You will find Links to ATF's various descriptions in our FAQ's and references posted at the top of the board.
We as moderators will enforce this rule as we understand ATF's definition. We are not Lawyers. We are going to go with what we know and understand. This is for your protection as well as ours. We do not want this forum to become the hunting grounds for rookie ATF Agents trying to make their reputation. The Veterans aren’t going to bother us as they are to busy looking for real crooks.
That being said this is what we accept on this forum.
1. Any firearm not designed or redesigned for using rim fire or conventional center fire ignition with fixed ammunition
and
2. Manufactured in or before 1898...or replica thereof, whether actually manufactured before or after the year 1898
or
3. Any firearm using fixed ammunition manufactured in or before 1898, for which ammunition is no longer manufactured in the United States and is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade.
If you wish to provide us with a letter from ATF defining whatever other device you wish to discuss as an antique we will allow the discussion. Provide the letter first.
We also are not going to have a debate over what the GCA and NFA says or doesn't say. There is already to much misinformation on the internet and we are not going to add to it. Tim and I are not Lawyers and not qualified to give legal advice on the GCA or NFA. Please see your nearest U.S. Attorney for legal advice on the GCA or NFA.
These rules are not subject to debate.
We did make the rules for the board and we are the experts on those rules and we are the final arbiter of them.
When Tim or I post a message that says this is or is not permitted that is the final decision, not subject to appeal. You might send us an off line message and tell us how you think what ever subject is being discussed fits within our rules, but we aren't interested in arguing.
WE will delete any post citing interpretations of the GCA and NFA so they don't become a source of misinformation. Exception, bona fide press releases or legal opinions from an accredited authority concerning our blackpowder cannons. Pointer post directing the reader to the actual law is allowed. This applies to state and local laws as well. Pointer post okay, interpretation no!
Discuss cannons that meet the above rules, don't debate the worthiness of the law on our board.
Just as further point, we have always allowed shotgun blank signal guns, carbide cannons, toy cannons, firecracker and other such traditional noise makers as within the spirit of our board. We have also been directed to include Punt guns. They will continue to be allowed. The exotic and unsafe is not welcomed.
Stokes Mortar Stokes Bowling ball mortars previously were not allowed on this board. Based on a letter from ATF that ban is no longer in effect. Letter posted in this post.
Stokes Mortar