'Firearm' Defined

Shotgun693 · May 24, 2012, 08:48 PM

I heard an ATF Agent say that pneumatic rifles fall under the definition of Firearms under Federal Law. The gun in question is a .357 rifle. This would be new to me. Anyone have info or know where is would fall in statute?

**Brian Pfleuger** · May 24, 2012, 09:09 PM

The BATF definition is found in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3)

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/921

Shotgun693 · May 24, 2012, 10:15 PM

I just don't see where this applies to pneumatic rifles.

Don H · May 24, 2012, 10:48 PM

ATF agents can be mistaken.

FrankenMauser · May 24, 2012, 11:18 PM

Some states define air rifles as firearms, but Federal Code does not.

Nickel Plated · May 29, 2012, 12:46 AM

Yep, as far as the feds are concerned, if it doesn't use fire then it's not a "firearm". If it does use fire then it MAY be a firearm.

Aguila Blanca · May 29, 2012, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Yep, as far as the feds are concerned, if it doesn't use fire then it's not a "firearm". If it does use fire then it MAY be a firearm.

And then it may depend on which law you're reading, and what the context is. Many laws include their own definitions, either at the start or at the end, and a definition from one law may not be applicable to another law -- especially if the other law includes its own definitions.

May 24, 2012, 08:48 PM	#1
Shotgun693 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2011 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 959	'Firearm' Defined I heard an ATF Agent say that pneumatic rifles fall under the definition of Firearms under Federal Law. The gun in question is a .357 rifle. This would be new to me. Anyone have info or know where is would fall in statute?

May 24, 2012, 09:09 PM	#2
Brian Pfleuger Staff Join Date: June 25, 2008 Location: Central, Southern NY, USA Posts: 14,523	The BATF definition is found in 18 U.S.C. 921(a)(3) http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/921 __________________ Still happily answering to the call-sign Peetza. --- You do not HAVE a soul. You ARE a soul. You HAVE a body. -C.S. Lewis He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose. -Jim Eliott, paraphrasing Philip Henry.

May 24, 2012, 10:48 PM	#4
Don H Senior Member Join Date: May 9, 2000 Location: SLC,Utah Posts: 2,706	ATF agents can be mistaken. __________________ Don http://www.utahconcealedcarry.com/forum/

May 24, 2012, 11:18 PM	#5
FrankenMauser Senior Member Join Date: August 26, 2008 Location: 1B ID Posts: 5,401	Some states define air rifles as firearms, but Federal Code does not. __________________ "Such is the strange way that man works -- first he virtually destroys a species and then does everything in his power to restore it."

May 24, 2012, 10:15 PM	#3
Shotgun693 Senior Member Join Date: September 3, 2011 Location: Poteet, Texas Posts: 959	I just don't see where this applies to pneumatic rifles.

May 29, 2012, 12:46 AM	#6
Nickel Plated Senior Member Join Date: January 17, 2010 Location: Brooklyn, NYC Posts: 359	Yep, as far as the feds are concerned, if it doesn't use fire then it's not a "firearm". If it does use fire then it MAY be a firearm.