PLEASE, sign this petition.

A Muzzleloader Is Not Considered A Firearm In America.

Modern muzzleloaders are considered “antique firearms” as they are replicas of pre-20th Century designs, with certain other limitations.

In fact, the Gun Control Act of 1968 defines an antique firearm in Section 921(16) as any firearm manufactured before 1898, including those with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar ignition system. Replicas of such firearms are also considered antiques as long as the replica is not “designed or redesigned to use rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition.”

http://guide.sportsmansguide.com/adventures/muzzleloader-considered-firearm/

But this is not the case in Australia, despite the fact that there has never ever been a mass shooting involving a single muzzle-loading gun in history! Why has there never been a mass shooting using a muzzle-loading gun? Simply because it is not possible; assuming the gun actually fires the first time (& the shooter manages to hit someone!), by the time the shooter has reloaded, everyone would have fled the area! Criminals & killers DO NOT use these guns; they only ever use modern breech-loading guns!

Ignorance & gun paranoia is behind the poor drafting of gun control legislation; both the general public & the government employees are to blame for poor insensible pointless laws concerning muzzle-loading guns of all types, & we, the muzzle-loader enthusiasts are the ones that are disadvantaged! Please, do the research; educate yourselves before supporting this law against the purchase & use of muzzle-loading pistols on private property. This is NOT a weakening of firearms law; this is a correction of a firearms law. PLEASE, sign this petition & give us a fair go.

https://www.change.org/p/to-the-honourable-the-speaker-and-members-of-the-legislative-assembly-of-new-south-wales-in-parliam-muzzle-loading-pistols-to-be-placed-on-a-less-restrictive-licence/u/23507459

PLEASE SIGN my petition: Fair and sensible firearms legislation for muzzle-loader users.

https://www.change.org/p/members-of-the-legislative-assembly-of-new-south-wales-fair-and-sensible-firearms-legislation-for-muzzle-loader-users?recruiter=29128190&utm_source=share_for_starters&utm_medium=copyLink

"To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly of New South Wales in Parliament assembled".

PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES.

Parliament House
6 Macquarie Street,
Sydney, NSW 2000.

assembly@parliament.nsw.gov.au

The Petition of Keith H. Burgess.
President of the New England Colonial Living History Group.

Brings to the attention of the House the matter of firearms licensing in relation to muzzle-loading pistols (percussion locks excluded).

At this present time, working replica (replicas of original 17^th and 18^th century antique muzzle-loading pistols) muzzle-loading pistols of the lock types matchlock, wheellock, tinderlock, doglock, snaphance, and flintlock can only be owned by a person possessing a category H gun licence, and these pistols can only be legally fired on a registered gun range. This requirement excludes the use of these antique replicas for Living History and Historical Re-enactment purposes. It also excludes the use of these antique replicas for use as a back-up safety for muzzle-loader hunters hunting on private property who are hunting with single shot muzzle-loading rifles or smoothbores.

Historical Re-enactment groups and Living History organisations have re-enactment rules which preclude the use of live ammunition and preclude the use of a ramrod during any and all re-enactment displays. There is also a permit requirement; this permit is for historical re-enactment organisations wishing to conduct an historical re-enactment event involving the possession and use of firearms by participants. Clause 61 - Firearms Regulation 2006.

Replicas of muzzle-loading pistols of the lock types mentioned are slow to load and require a good deal of knowledge and training to ensure the workability of this type of gun. Ignition even when used by a competent person can not be guaranteed. Therefore these muzzle-loading guns are not suitable for criminal use.

The undersigned petitioners therefore ask the Legislative Assembly to change the licensing requirement for these replica antique muzzle-loading pistols (percussion locks excluded) from the present category H class licence to the category B class licence.