‘Antique Firearms’ Targeted in New York State Measure

Carolyn Hileman* | January 12, 2008

Filed Under Liberals, Second Amendment, Unconstitutional Acts

By Randy Hall
CNSNews.com Staff Writer/Editor

(CNSNews.com) - New York has some of the toughest gun control laws on the books, but a new measure being debated in the state assembly would mandate that people who want to buy muzzle-loading pistols or muskets get a permit for “antique firearms.”

According to State Assembly Bill A09543, introduced by Assemblyman Michael Gianaris (D-Queens) on Nov. 30, the measure would eliminate the exemption of antique firearms from regulation and licensing.

The legislation amends sections of New York’s penal law to prevent certain types of firearms known as “black powder rifles” to be purchased without background checks and carried without licenses.

“Currently, because these .50-caliber rifles are muzzle-loaded, they are classified as ‘antique guns,’ and as a result, are exempt from the screening process of other firearm purchases,” the bill says.

Gianaris pointed to two events in recent months that highlight the “danger” posed by these weapons.

The first happened in mid-June, when a New York state trooper was shot in the shoulder while investigating a domestic dispute in northern New York.

While responding to a 911 call, 29-year-old Amanda Reif was seriously injured by a blast from a black powder rifle fired by Steven McCumber, a 45-year-old convicted rapist who was able to purchase the weapon because it was considered an antique and therefore not subject to any permits or background checks.

Despite being seriously wounded, Reif was able to return fire, killing McCumber with a single shot. Reif recovered from her injury.

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