In NC you can buy amuzzle loader over the counter without any paperwork and you can mail it via regular postal mail and is not considered a fire arm. There may be other rules regarding Felon's not sure.

A ML is considered a firearm in just about every state. There for one with a felony charge is unable to posses, house, carry or purchase any type of fiream, this includes bows as well. Also in many states its illegal to purchase a firearm if you have a restraining order, but you can posses one.

A friend of mine is a convicted felon, he checked directly with the BATFE in Washington, DC, he was told that he could in fact own muzzle loading guns because they're considered "primative" and not the same as cartridge firing arms. He is prohibited from being in possession of any gun that fires a self contained metallic cartridge, including shotgus, but not muzzle loaders. There is no federal restriction against him owning archery gear. though some states may have their own restrictions.

It is considered a firearm, but a premitive weapon.

Kevin hit it.

Does not apply to guns like the TC Encore which can swap out a centerfire barrel.

Like someone said - not all felons/felonies are created equal.
I think the ban should only apply to violent felonies.

I think there is a time when their rights are restored though. Just because someone had a felony conviction doesn't necessarily restrict them from ever owning a weapon. I know a fellow who had a felony conviction when he was young. He wasn't able to hunt for a few years, now he is. He buys guns the same as you or me without any problems. Of course his felony was not a violent crime, I'm sure that a violent crime conviction would be another story all together.

My point is that we are certainly not lawyers or ATF agents so I would suggest that we not spout off at the mouth like we know what the heck we are talking about on this issue. When in doubt ask a lawyer.

Due to some unfortunate events during my misspent youth I am a convicted felon. I hunt with a muzzelloader as well as with a bow. In Texas it is legal. I have contacted ATF about traveling to other states and they told me as long as it does not use centerfire primers it is legal. So a sidelock percussion or flinter is legal according to ATF. I have no idea how someone could say owning a bow is illeagal. It is certainly not a firearm. In Texas the law states that it is legal for a convicted felon to be in possesion of a circa 1899 or replica of a circa 1899 muzzleloader. I have contacted the Texas Dept of fish and game and double checked. They told me the statute that the legislature passed to make it legal. I don't have it here on hand at work but if anyone needs to know it PM me and I'll find it for you. EDIT: for what its worth my felony was a violent crime involving a gun. I went to prison for it and it is still legal for me to hunt with my sidelock MLs.

No convicted felon may posses or control a firearm, It is a Federal Law, It doesnt vary from state to state........They can bow hunt but that is it. A felony stays on your record for ever unless it happened as a juvenile, then after you turn 18 years of age then it is sealed. There are no exceptions to the rule, not even if there exonerated. I think I would know, unless I have been arresting people for nothing.........
Brett

Well why would an ATF agent tell me otherwise? I guess it has to do with the discription of "firearm". When I get home I'll look up the Tx statute and post the info.

EDIT: I just looked it up. Texas penal code statute 46.01 makes it legal. If that is in conflict with Federal Law I'll take my chances and have my day in court.

Also, why can a convicted felon walk into a store and buy a sidelock ML with no background check? I guess they left that out of the Federal Law. I bought on of my guns at a shop owned by the local precinct constable. Wiley's Gun Shop in Van Zandt county Tx. I asked him about it. Did he just sell me the gun so he can arrest me later? I don't think so. That was 3 years ago and he hasn't come after me yet.
Cabela's will sell me a gun through the mail without a background check also.

Same in FL.....