Wallis,
Your interpretation isn't correct.
You're stumbling over the IF/AND portion of the text.
Let me state it in non-legalese:
IF it is made before 1899, it is not a gun by interpretation of the Federal gun laws enforced by the BATF. Example: I have a 1898 made Lang & Hussey Sidelock Ejector that I am selling. That gun can be shipped to your door with no Federal paperwork and no FFL involved. (its a 12 gauge)
Next part of the law in 18 USC deals with replicas. If I have a colt dragoon pistol replica (percussion cap and ball) it is not a gun by this statute either because it does both of the following A.) replicates a pre 1899 gun, and B.) is not designed for modern ammunition. A+B are necessary for a replica to be "not a gun".
Now if I were to make a replica Lang & Hussey as a perfect clone of my 1898 ejector gun that shoots a 12 gauge shell, that WOULD BE a gun and WOULD BE subject to modern gun regulations. If it were not, you could argue that EVERY Spanish Best shotgun made from 1930 to today is a non-firearm. (they are all based on Holland and Holland lock patents, Anson and Deeley boxlocks, Anson forend plungers, etc. etc.) The point being, every modern double gun is a replica, it replicates a suite of patents that are all pre-1899. Obviously, they are all considered guns because they don't pass both tests: 1.) They are replicas, arguably, but 2.) they shoot a modern cartridge. (passing point 1 but failing point 2 makes the replica a gun subject to modern law)
Last edited by Rookhawk; 02/10/11 11:06 AM.
