TC McQuade
NES Member
"Saturday Night Specials" / FFL3 / Gun Control Act of 1968 / Handgun Control Act of 1970
I've been trying to learn about the "Saturday Night Special"category of a firearm/handgun and to best of my ability to research these I have found very little information on them.
"Saturday Night Specials" are a cheap low quality low cost imported handgun which appear to be no different than any other firearms, in the eyes of the ATF or states, as far as I can tell. In the late 60's it appears that the Feds outlawed the importation of "Saturday Night Specials" but did not outlaw the ownership/possession/transfer of such a firearm. I've found some auction site selling them in recent years. It appears that they have a limited/low appeal to gun owners with the exception to collectors or a small minority of gun owners.
New York Times has an article from 1970 implying that they are illegal however it appears that the article is incorrect and inaccurate.
The ATF has no information on the Gun Control Act of 1968 or the Handgun Control Act of 1970 (Mentioned in the New York Times article linked above, which I don't think actually exists)
1. My question is; most if not all imported SNS are over 50 years old which would make it appear that a FFL3 holder can purchase one out of state and bring it back / or have it shipped to their collection in their home state. States do not appear to have any laws regarding these nostalgic relics from yesteryears. Am I missing anything?
2. Unrelated to the subject above. Is a Black powder revolver 50+ years old considered a handgun under Federal law ( Mass does not consider a Black Powder whatever to be a firearm) and follows the same rules of other FFL3 holder rules? And a Black Powder newer than 50 years old follows fed laws of any newer firearm/handgun. There is no exception to a black powder handgun.
I've been trying to learn about the "Saturday Night Special"category of a firearm/handgun and to best of my ability to research these I have found very little information on them.
"Saturday Night Specials" are a cheap low quality low cost imported handgun which appear to be no different than any other firearms, in the eyes of the ATF or states, as far as I can tell. In the late 60's it appears that the Feds outlawed the importation of "Saturday Night Specials" but did not outlaw the ownership/possession/transfer of such a firearm. I've found some auction site selling them in recent years. It appears that they have a limited/low appeal to gun owners with the exception to collectors or a small minority of gun owners.
New York Times has an article from 1970 implying that they are illegal however it appears that the article is incorrect and inaccurate.
The ATF has no information on the Gun Control Act of 1968 or the Handgun Control Act of 1970 (Mentioned in the New York Times article linked above, which I don't think actually exists)
1. My question is; most if not all imported SNS are over 50 years old which would make it appear that a FFL3 holder can purchase one out of state and bring it back / or have it shipped to their collection in their home state. States do not appear to have any laws regarding these nostalgic relics from yesteryears. Am I missing anything?
2. Unrelated to the subject above. Is a Black powder revolver 50+ years old considered a handgun under Federal law ( Mass does not consider a Black Powder whatever to be a firearm) and follows the same rules of other FFL3 holder rules? And a Black Powder newer than 50 years old follows fed laws of any newer firearm/handgun. There is no exception to a black powder handgun.