Gun Kits

[LONG REACH]

Hi Folks,
Could anyone enlighten me on the legality of gun kits in this country, are they allowed, or prohibited ?
Because it's something I would really like to do, as I'm as much into the engineering side of cap & ball revolvers, as I am shooting them (even though I've just started ) So any help with my question, will be very much appreciated !!! Cheers.

All the best
Baz

[Jim McArthur]

Don't take this as legal advice, for sure, but I would think that they would be legal: so far as you are not making a pistol from scratch, or introducing any element (like a cartridge converter cylinder) that would turn it into a prohibited item.

However, you might need FAC permission to buy the kit in the first place.

Jim

[LONG REACH]

Hi Jim, Thanks for the reply.

What I should have said was, "what is the legal position of importing gun kits into this country, and if there's any problem in getting them put onto your FAC , if you can import them" ?

[Jim McArthur]

I'd bet you'd need FAC permission to own the muzzleloader in question, first.

Then, the legality of importing the weapon kit....hmmm, that's interesting.

Since muzzleloaders (unlike low-powered air guns) ARE controlled: I have no idea whether buying the kit (or a completed gun) from a foreign seller would be legally tantamount to buying the same thing from a UK dealer, as a consumer purchase: or whether it would require a gun dealer / importer license.

Jim

[LONG REACH]

Hi Jim,

Yes I would need an FAC to own one, but what I need to know is, are the kits actually legal to bring into this country ?, as a firearm needs a serial number here, so do they have them ?
I thinkI should get in contact with our local firearms liason officer, I think he should know, what do you think ?

All the best
Baz

[Jim McArthur]

Contacting your FEO would surely be the best idea. However, I understand that some of them will tell you "no you can't!" just to be on the safe side, so you probably should NOT take a negative response as gospel.

Dealers (at least, their sales staff) also often don't know what they're talking about.

I once had a gun store in Nevada refuse to sell me a gun shortly after I'd moved there: "Sorry, Sir, you have to be a resident here for six months before you can buy a gun; state law."

Six months later - "waiting period up!" - I very happily went into (another) gunstore, said happily that "now I was eligible" - only to be told that there was no such law, and that I could have bought a gun the day I became a state resident.

Some time later, I learned the apparent source of the first saleman's misconception. Nevada law DOES require you to be a state resident for at least six months before you can qualify to buy a hunting or fishing license at the lower rates set for state residents!


As far as the serial number: that could be a problem. If the kit comes from the US, it (being BP) wouldn't be legally a "firearm" under US federal law, so wouldn't be required to have a serial number.


There's a Thread in the "Rimfire/Centerfire..." Forum called "Importing from the US (Or Not)" that might have some useful info.

Cheers!

Jim