You think the government doesn't consider a muzzleloader a firearm
Keep thinking like that and read this for those of you who live in New York State may be interested in a bill that has been introduced into the State Assembly that would require anyone who owns a muzzleloading firearm to have a license for it.
You may read the bill here:
http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=A09543&sh=t
The bill number is A09543
This bill contains no exemptions for historic sites and museums, nor does it
contain any exemptions for living history events, reenactments, educational
programs or purposes, or interpretative events. This bill would require any
owner of such firearms to obtain a revolver/handgun permit. Such permits are
extremely difficult, expensive, and time consuming to obtain. They are
considerably prohibitive of ownership of such firearms. If passed, this bill
would make New York State the only state in the nation regulating black powder firearms, muzzle loading firearms, or antique firearms in such a manner. If passed, this bill would result in New York State possessing more stringent regulations on this type of firearms and training than any other state in the United States of America. In fact, this would institute limitations more severe than Canada currently imposes on these types of firearms.
The Fort La Présentation Association sponsors the annual Founders Day weekend at the Fort La Présentation site in Ogdensburg. This site attracts more than 200 living historians, and thousands of visitors. It makes a major economic contribution (more than $250,000) to the Ogdensburg community (the re-enactor participants alone spend approximately $20,000 directly in Ogdensburg during the weekend). This event is our major publicity event for the ongoing restoration of the Fort La Présentation Association historic site, which is currently progressing on schedule to become a major heritage-tourism economic development for not only Ogdensburg and St. Lawrence County, but for the entire North Country. If this bill were to become law, it would be impossible for the Fort La Présentation Association to host our annual Founders Day event; and our plans to create the Fort La Présentation historic site would be seriously endangered. In fact, it would be impossible for any living historians or re-enactors to enter New York State, from any adjacent state or Canada. Most living historians and re-enactors could not legally own the reproduction weapons that they currently use. This bill, if enacted into law, would eliminate living history events and re-enactments throughout the state. New York State has a rich historical heritage. There are, literally, hundreds of re-enactments and living history events that take place throughout New York State every year; and these events make a major financial contribution to many of New York State’s upstate communities. Tens of thousands of tourists enter New York State every year to learn about the military heritage and history that occurred here; and they contribute millions of dollars to our state’s economy in the process. Just within the North Country, there are numerous such historic and commemorative events held annually. These include several hosted by the Fort La Présentation Association every year; each February a War of 1812 reenactment
in Odgensburg; a large annual 1812 reenactment at Sackets Harbor Battlefield; a Civil War encampment hosted by the St. Lawrence County Historical Society at Canton; regular Fort Drum sponsored living history events; regular 1812 interpretive events at Sackets Harbor battlefield, etc. All of these events would have to be cancelled if this legislation passed.
The hundreds of museums and historic sites within New York State that own
collections of historic and antique firearms would have to disband their
collections, causing catastrophic damage to the history and heritage of the
state, and in fact preventing many of these museums that are military focused such as Rogers Island, Fort William Henry, Fort Ticonderoga and Fort Niagara from further operations. These museums and historic sites, many of which are operated on constrained budgets, would have to expend valuable funds on the management and disposal of their antique and historic firearms collections. This alone would cause many of the smaller sites to close their doors forever. A large number of historic sites in the North Country would be directly and adversely affected. The absence of an exemption for educational activities would prevent historic classes and programs from being presented to our school children; and would eliminate military history as a viable field of study within New York State. The damage caused by this bill to the history and heritage of New York State would be both inestimable and catastrophic. Many upstate communities depend upon heritage tourism as a major economiccontributor. The passage of this bill would cause severe financial challenges to these numerous upstate communities. This bill would be a terrible economic loss to many New York State residents and businesses, and would be a disgrace to New York State’s proud history and heritage.
So yeah, the government is coming for your firearms... bet on it.
