[rec.guns] Gatling gun

paulh@tekcae.cax.tek.com (Paul Hammer) (06/26/91)

What is the net.wisdom on Gatling gun ownership?

1. Is it considered full auto or semi auto?
   (Hey! Where's the trigger?)

   Argument for semi auto: You have to move the crank 
   some for each shot.

2. Is such a device considered an antique for
   law related purposes?

3. Can a person who is not a holder of any particular
   license or permit legally build a functional 
   Gatling gun?

4. What is a good source for technical info relating
   to this device? Public library? Patent office?

-Rick Faltersack
-Not Paul Hammer

cmort@NCoast.ORG (Christopher Morton) (06/28/91)

As quoted from <35975@mimsy.umd.edu> by paulh@tekcae.cax.tek.com (Paul Hammer):

# 
# What is the net.wisdom on Gatling gun ownership?
# 
# 1. Is it considered full auto or semi auto?
#    (Hey! Where's the trigger?)
 
NEITHER.  It's a MANUAL action.

# 2. Is such a device considered an antique for
#    law related purposes?
 
Shouldn't be if it's new made.  If so, it should be treated as a manually
operated firearm, like a Mauser, Sharps, or Winchester. 

# 3. Can a person who is not a holder of any particular
#    license or permit legally build a functional 
#    Gatling gun?
# 
# 4. What is a good source for technical info relating
#    to this device? Public library? Patent office?
# 
There's a good book on the Gatling.  I don't have the title handy.  I can post
if it you want.  Call the BATF for detailed legal explanations. 

-- 
---------------------------------

"Well whose opinions did you THINK these were...?" 

Christopher Morton
{uunet|backbone}!ncoast.org!cmort                      cmort@ncoast.org