Is it legal in the state of Indiana for a felon to own black powder for hunting or self defense?
It depends on the felony.
My understanding is that it is legal for a felon to possess a muzzleloader, however, it cannot be loaded. It is also legal for a felon to possess an "antique firearm" (pre-1898) as it is exempted from the definition of firearm. Felons CANNOT posses ammunition.Is it legal in the state of Indiana for a felon to own black powder for hunting or self defense?
...Technically, under the 2nd Amendment a felon should be able to possess any type of weapon...
Before I came to this conclusion, I would have to know the history of how felons in possession of weapons were treated under the law at the time the 2nd Amendment was proposed and ratified and any discussion thereof.
If we start arguing for a definition of Constitutional rights without tying that argument to historical context, we are doing the same thing as the left...and we might as well just white-out the amendment process and let judges with life appointments rule us as oligarchs....openly.
Before I came to this conclusion, I would have to know the history of how felons in possession of weapons were treated under the law at the time the 2nd Amendment was proposed and ratified and any discussion thereof.
Very true...I spent a lot of time studying that period in history....Self educated but very in depth...Days at the SAR and Filson Club in Louisville...My library of 18th century first person accounts is one of the best around...I'm just nerdy about that time period...I have never seen anything that would indicate criminals could not legally have guns at the time of the Constitutional Convention...Based on the Federalist Papers, Thomas Jefferson's Note's, and various journals I have read that it was just assumed outlaws would have guns....And that citizens would have them as well...If they caught someone stealing a horse, white, black, or red, that person was hanged by the neck...No mention made of whether they possessed a firearm...They expected they would possess one...Horse thievery (heck just living back then, especially around here) was a dangerous occupation...
"One hand on the plow, one hand on the rifle" was a common expression in Kentucky and Southern Indiana until about 1816 or so....
IMHO
The Founder's Second Amendment Stephen P Halbrook
This book covers this question well. The founders believed that felons should be denied their Second Amendments right. I do believe that felonies did not encompass what they do today.
If it uses #11 or so percussion caps yes it's fine for a felon. If it utilizes shotgun primers thats a big NEGATIVE. Shotgun primers are the same as possession of Ammo to the ATF when it comes to felons and they can be charged.
And a felon is a felon in their eyes. Like trying to say they're only a little bit pregnant. It don't exist
There's some powerful air rifles out there, or crossbows. Or expungement.