Open carry flintlock

[Rangefogger]

Anyone know the legality of open carry when it comes to flintlock rifles? I’m in Illinois (hope to move soon) and was just curious, as I hear flintlocks either originals or replicas are not considered firearms. Not planning on doing this, just curious.

 

[SOLANCO]

Anyone know the legality of open carry when it comes to flintlock rifles? I’m in Illinois (hope to move soon) and was just curious, as I hear flintlocks either originals or replicas are not considered firearms. Not planning on doing this, just curious.

At the federal level they are not considered to be firearms for regulatory purposes.
But each of the 50 states will have its own opinion and laws on this. Counties and municipalities may weigh in also. You may want to research your prospective move.

 

[kyron4]

Just because something is legal doesn't mean you should do it. I feel you could draw a lot of attention, some good and some bad. All it takes is someone to call it in and say "man" with "gun" and " in public" and you may have a swat team face plant you on the pavement . Worse if they lie and say you're pointing it at people. Sure, it's legal, sure, you'll be cleared and released, but not a good day in my book. It sucks, but it's the world we live in my friend.

 

[SOLANCO]

kyron4 above correctly points to the need for common sense. I am in a rural area of Pennsylvania. If a state trooper saw me walking with my flintlock odds are he might want to ask to shoot it. But if I walked down Broad Street in Philadelphia there would be a race between the thugs and the police to take it from me.

 

[Sam squanch]

Illinois considers replica muzzleloaders as MODERN guns. Last I heard, you need a FOID to possess one. Antique guns are supposedly not regulated as firearms, but I would not go waving one around unless you are hunting or target shooting. The closer you are to Chicago, the worse it gets…..

 

[alcessapiens]

kyron4 above correctly points to the need for common sense. I am in a rural area of Pennsylvania. If a state trooper saw me walking with my flintlock odds are he might want to ask to shoot it. But if I walked down Broad Street in Philadelphia there would be a race between the thugs and the police to take it from me.

Well, all but one thug… unless you reload fast.

 

[Will]

" Go ahead, make my day. "
Dirty Harry.

 

[andy52]

Illinois? where is that? I live in Missouri and the state to the east of me is the state of Chicago..... . Just kidding, Sam squanch pretty much gave you most of the answers.

 

[RMH]

Michigan considers "any weapon from which a dangerous object may be shot or propelled by the use of explosives, gas, or air as a firearm". The exception is .177 caliber BB guns. I can't imagine Illinois is any more lenient.

 

[Brokennock]

Begs the question,,,, why would you?

 

[user 49399]

Unless going hunting or to a gun range or a reenactment or something similar, why would you?

 

[Comfortably_Numb]

One of my friends in Illinois was pulled over for speeding and got the third degree for having a flintlock jeager in his truck not in a case. I got the hell out of Illinois in 96. I hate even driving over there as I can't have a loaded pistol in the cab. Ridiculous!

 

[Dale Allen Raby]

That little dude sitting on your shoulder whispering things to you is known as the "Good Idea Fairy". In the UK, he is known as "The Emperor Mong". In this case, when the police are smashing your face into the sidewalk, breaking your gun into a hundred pieces and stomping on your gonads, this little b@stard will have vanished "poof" in a cloud of pink mist, leaving you to explain all by your lonesome.

When I am forced to travel someplace on the other side of Illinois, I generally go around it through Iowa and Missouri. The laws of that state and the attitudes of most people in the North half of the state are so ludicrous it makes you think you are in a foreign country... the Peoples Republic of Chicagoland perhaps.

We have "open carry" in Wisconsin and I tried it briefly... but I got much more attention of the negative kind than I care to deal with, so I got a concealed carry permit and don't carry openly in heavily populated regions any longer. When I travel out of state, I generally carry a muzzleloader in my trunk just so I have SOMETHING to shoot if I have to. These days you are much more likely to get pulled over and have your car searched because the officer smelled marijuana or saw you with a gun than you are to actually need a gun while you are driving an automobile. The automobile is generally much better at getting you away from a bad situation than the gun is.

Most cops are relatively decent and honest individuals. Some are simply "Barney Bad@sses" who were bullies in high school and liked it so much that they became cops so they can continue to push people around legally. When dealing with police, you have to assume that at least one of them is as likely as not to be the latter version. That sort might do all kinds of nasty things to someone carrying a "gun" in public... who caused the 911 call which interrupted Officer Bad@ss' lunch at the free doughnut shop where he was attempting to coerce a waitress into doing something to avoid getting arrested for something else.

I've dealt with both types.

 

[andy52]

One of my friends in Illinois was pulled over for speeding and got the third degree for having a flintlock jeager in his truck not in a case. I got the hell out of Illinois in 96. I hate even driving over there as I can't have a loaded pistol in the cab. Ridiculous!

Illinois has changed its laws a little, if you have a concealed permit you may carry it in your vehicle or if you stay in it or 15 feet from it if you're getting gas. If you don't have a permit what you said is correct.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Here in washingrad muzzle loaders are the same as firearms according to the commies in charge.
They just banned all semi autos and are working on anything over 50 cal. They dont know the deference between the two.

 

[bud in pa]

Being that I am not in business or trying to sell something, I don't advertise anything I do.

 

[Juice Jaws]

Begs the question,,,, why would you?

He said he wasn't going to do this, was just wondering about it.

 

[waksupi]

I'm glad I live here in Old America, where it is common to be armed, and cops don't give you a second look if you choose to open carry.

 

[Grenadier1758]

When in Illinois, my muzzle loading firearms are in a case. I'm not about to carry a modern forearm in Illinois.

 

[Rifleman1776]

It is pointless to debate the legality/illegality or right/wrong of doing something like this. It all depends on your location, the attitude and training of law enforcement officers, the attitude and beliefs of the prosecuting attorney. You may be right. But you may have to go through the handcuff, booking, overnight in jail, attorney expense and court routine before you are let free for not breaking the law. It ain't right, but that is the way it is. I wouldn't tempt fate.