2006-11-29 14:07:48 · 16 answers · asked by jun r 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
Generally, rifles and pistols that propel their projectiles with compressed gasses (such as air or C02) are NOT legally considered firearms. That's why you can buy them off the shelf at Wal-Mart with no governmental paperwork.
The word "firearm" includes the word "fire," implying the ignition of a flammable or explosive propellant.
Also, the propellant need not be gunpowder. By the letter of the law, home made PVC spud guns that use spark-ignited hair spray are firearms.
2006-11-29 14:13:02 · answer #1 · answered by Scott A 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Some air rifles certainly are firearms such as the ones that have muzzle velocities approaching that of 22 rifles. More powerful air rifles are possible with not so recent technology. The British has a working air rifle during the war against Napoleon. A small group of riflemen with there guns disconserted the French army when they were fired because there was no smoke.
2006-11-29 14:19:32 · answer #2 · answered by Kenneth H 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I guess it depends on how you quantify it. Everyone automatically assumes that any weapon that fires a projectile by powder, whether black powder or smokeless powder, is a firearm. Which is true. But some air rifles are actually quite powerful. On a trivia note, Lewis & Clark carried a sophisticated (at least for that time) air rifle with them for hunting game. It used a hand-operated pneumatic pump that was within the stock. Supposedly, the Indians were impressed with both its silence as well as its accuracy and deadliness. Plus, you need to look at how the laws are written.
2006-11-29 14:57:08 · answer #3 · answered by Daryl E 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although an air rifle is not a firearm, they are still very dangerous and people have been killed by them. A good 10 pump BB gun can generate over 700 feet per second velocity. This is roughly the same velocity as a military .45 pistol. The projectile from the .45 is far more dangerous because of the weight of the bullet but both guns can kill.
2006-11-29 14:20:25 · answer #4 · answered by Joe J 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No
An air rifle, BB gun, etc is not required to be transfered by a federally licensed firearms dealer.
A firearm expels the projectile via an explosive charge.
Check the ATF website for the definition of a firearm.
There may be age limitations for purchasing.
Be Careful, BB guns can put your eye out.
2006-11-29 14:17:31 · answer #5 · answered by rjf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In Georgia a .177 caliber pellet rifle is considered a firearm. Anything less is not.
2006-11-29 16:09:36 · answer #6 · answered by gablueliner 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if it's powerful enough, at least in the state of Illinois. In 2000 my son-in-law was shooting his at a large grove of trees behind his house, one stray "shot" broke out the back window of a police car parked on the other side of the grove, some 200 yards away! He was arrested and at first charged with felony assault on a police officer with a firearm, but since it was a first offense and an accident, it was later dropped down to petty misdemeanor. he had to pay to replace the window and pay a fine.
2006-11-29 14:34:15 · answer #7 · answered by Daydream Believer 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, to be a firearm the projectile needs to be fired by gunpowder.
2006-11-29 14:09:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not necesarilly. It does qualify as a weapon, but most air rifles do not shoot hard enough to be a firearm.
2006-11-29 14:55:35 · answer #9 · answered by Phillip Bob 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Anything which is not propelled by gunpowder is NOT a firearm.
2006-11-29 23:07:59 · answer #10 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋