- Joined
- Nov 8, 2012
- Messages
- 783
I've been trying to find an answer to this for some time.
From my research, the ATF doesn't consider an airgun as a firearm and, thus, it's reasonable to assume that a FFL is not required to make/work on/sell airguns from the Federal point of view.
That said, I know what tends to happen when one "ASSUMES".
While the ATF might not consider an airgun as a firearm, the illustrious State of Illinois does. Here's what the FOID (Firearm Owners ID) law states:
What is the definition of a firearm according to the FOID Act?
"Firearm" means any device, by whatever name known, which is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas or escape of gas; excluding however:
(1) any pneumatic gun, spring gun, paint ball gun or B-B gun which either expels a single globular projectile not exceeding .18 inch in diameter AND which has a maximum muzzle velocity of LESS than 700 feet per second or breakable paint balls containing washable marking colors;
(2) any device used exclusively for signaling or safety and required or recommended by the United States Coast Guard or the Interstate Commerce Commission;
(3) any device used exclusively for the firing of stud cartridges, explosive rivets or similar industrial ammunition; and
(4) an antique firearm (other than a machine-gun) which, although designed as a weapon, the Department of State Police finds by reason of the date of its manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics is primarily a collector's item and is not likely to be used as a weapon.
It's crazy to me to have a law that vaguely describes what a Fiream isn't, but here's my quandary.
Illinois considers some airguns as firearms.
Businesses dealing in firearms are required to have a FFL, but the Fed doesn't require a FFL for airguns.
I know I could legally make and airgun, that Illinois would consider as a firearm, for my own use, but what about for the business of air smithing or sales of airguns that meet the Illinois definition as a firearm ???
Anyone have any insight or reference(s) that would answer my question ???
From my research, the ATF doesn't consider an airgun as a firearm and, thus, it's reasonable to assume that a FFL is not required to make/work on/sell airguns from the Federal point of view.
That said, I know what tends to happen when one "ASSUMES".
While the ATF might not consider an airgun as a firearm, the illustrious State of Illinois does. Here's what the FOID (Firearm Owners ID) law states:
What is the definition of a firearm according to the FOID Act?
"Firearm" means any device, by whatever name known, which is designed to expel a projectile or projectiles by the action of an explosion, expansion of gas or escape of gas; excluding however:
(1) any pneumatic gun, spring gun, paint ball gun or B-B gun which either expels a single globular projectile not exceeding .18 inch in diameter AND which has a maximum muzzle velocity of LESS than 700 feet per second or breakable paint balls containing washable marking colors;
(2) any device used exclusively for signaling or safety and required or recommended by the United States Coast Guard or the Interstate Commerce Commission;
(3) any device used exclusively for the firing of stud cartridges, explosive rivets or similar industrial ammunition; and
(4) an antique firearm (other than a machine-gun) which, although designed as a weapon, the Department of State Police finds by reason of the date of its manufacture, value, design, and other characteristics is primarily a collector's item and is not likely to be used as a weapon.
It's crazy to me to have a law that vaguely describes what a Fiream isn't, but here's my quandary.
Illinois considers some airguns as firearms.
Businesses dealing in firearms are required to have a FFL, but the Fed doesn't require a FFL for airguns.
I know I could legally make and airgun, that Illinois would consider as a firearm, for my own use, but what about for the business of air smithing or sales of airguns that meet the Illinois definition as a firearm ???
Anyone have any insight or reference(s) that would answer my question ???