As I said, antique long guns are actually NOT strictly acknowledged. As such, they fall under normal long gun transfer rules. Theres no issue with OWNING them...where is gets dicey is people thinking they are free to ship and receive them without FFL transfer.
You are not correct as it relates to FEDERAL law - your STATE law may vary. Antique firearms are transferable to individuals without an FFL.
Here's what ATF says about antique firearms - even FELONS can have them - the full document is here -
https://www.atf.gov/file/61721/download - short version below (emphasis mine):
"1. Can a person prohibited by law from possessing a firearm acquire and use a black powder
muzzle loading firearm?
The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) prohibits felons and certain other persons from possessing or
receiving firearms and ammunition (“prohibited persons”). These categories can be found at 18
U.S.C. § 922(g) and (n) in
http://atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5300-4.pdf.However, Federal law does not prohibit these persons from possessing or receiving an antique
firearm.
The term “antique firearm” means any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock,
flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898. The
definition includes any replica of an antique firearm if it is not designed or redesigned for using
rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or uses rimfire or conventional centerfire
ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States, and which is not readily available
in ordinary channels of commercial trade.