Bills
| 3.23.22

Modifying the Definition of "Antique Firearm" (H.R. 1114)

Do you support or oppose this bill?

What is H.R. 1114?

(Updated January 16, 2018)

This bill would change the definition of an “antique firearm” to be any gun that was constructed 100 years in the past. If the bill is passed in 2016, then all guns constructed in or before 1916 would be classified as antique, and when 2017 rolls around, guns built in 1917 would be classified as antiques.

Currently, the definition of “antique firearms” is set at 1898. This means that the bill would effectively classify almost 20 years-worth of guns as antiques.

Argument in favor

All Pre-World War One firearms should be considered collectibles, not weapons. People should be able to share their collections without fear of government intervention.

Argument opposed

The bill would significantly increase the number of guns that could be owned without a permit or another form of registration. This would increase the chance of gun-related injury.

Impact

People who own guns made between 1898 and 1916.

Cost of H.R. 1114

A CBO cost estimate is unavailable.

Additional Info

In Depth: Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), the sponsor of an identical bill in the Senate, argued that the bill would protect the Second Amendment:

“Changing the definition of an 'Antique Firearm' strengthens the Second Amendment and protects our right as citizens to bear arms. By fixing a law that should have been updated years ago, Americans can collect and share these items that are an important part of our nation's history.”


Of Note: The bill would make it easier to obtain old guns that aren’t currently classified as antiques. As NRA-certified instructor Chris Eger points out:

“Antique guns can be bought or sold without a license or federally required background check as they do not fall under the terms of the GCA.” [...] “Under Cassidy’s proposal, collectors, gun enthusiasts and historians would have an easier time obtaining thousands of early military rifles, e.g. the U.S. Springfield 1903 and German Gew 98 Mausers made before 1914.”

The bill has an identical counterpart in the Senate. The House version was introduced 12 days after the Senate version, but neither has made it to a vote in either Congressional chamber.


Media:

Summary by Chris Conrad