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Museums, re-enactors worry over NYC plan to regulate antique firearms

A New York City lawmaker's plan to regulate antique firearms like other weapons could have severe economic repercussions for museums and historical societies around the state and prevent hundreds of living history events and re-enactments staged every year.

If passed in its current form, the proposal by Democratic Assemblyman Michael Gianaris of Queens would make the state the first in the country to require owners of antique guns, black powder weapons and muzzleloading firearms to go through a background check and purchase a license, said Ralph Walker, a legislative specialist with the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association.

"There is great opposition to the bill in its current form because it doesn't recognize the circumstances of museums and re-enactment groups who own and use these firearms for educational purposes," said Anne Ackerson, director of the Museum Association of New York, which represents 260 museums and heritage organizations across New Yor
Read entire article at AP