Questions about the legality of owning a Signal Cannon?

Regarding ATF regulations, the term “firearm” means (A) any weapon (including a starter gun) which will or is designed to or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; (B) the frame or receiver of any such weapon; (C) any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or (D) any destructive device. Such term does not include an antique firearm. The term “antique firearm” is defined in 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(16): (16) The term “antique firearm” means— (A) any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; or (B) any replica of any firearm described in subparagraph (A) if such replica— (i) is not designed or redesigned for using rim-fire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or (ii) uses rim-fire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States and which is not readily available in the ordinary channels of commercial trade; or (C) any muzzle loading rifle, muzzle loading shotgun, or muzzle loading pistol, which is designed to use black powder, or a black powder substitute, and which cannot use fixed ammunition. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term “antique firearm” shall not include any weapon which incorporates a firearm frame or receiver, any firearm which is converted into a muzzle loading weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon which can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breech-block, or any combination thereof. Though the United States Code doesn’t explicitly state anything about cannons, muzzle loading cannons which use black powder for propellant are unregulated just like rifles, shotguns, or pistols of the same type. That being said, the types of projectiles which can be fired from a cannon are regulated to an extent by 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(4): (4) The term “destructive device” means— (A) any explosive, incendiary, or poison gas— (i) bomb, (ii) grenade, (iii) rocket having a propellant charge of more than four ounces, (iv) missile having an explosive or incendiary charge of more than one-quarter ounce, (v) mine, or (vi) device similar to any of the devices described in the preceding clauses; (B) any type of weapon (other than a shotgun or a shotgun shell which the Attorney General finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes) by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and which has any barrel with a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter; and (C) any combination of parts either designed or intended for use in converting any device into any destructive device described in subparagraph (A) or (B) and from which a destructive device may be readily assembled. Basically, you can’t have explosive shells for a cannon which have a bursting charge which weighs more than one-quarter ounce (~7 grams) without registering each shell as a destructive device. Certain individual states may have tighter restrictions on cannons and most local jurisdictions will have regulations about where or when cannons can be fired, but the above paragraphs encompass the extent of regulation on the federal level.  

Section 5845(f)(2) provides as follows:
(f) Destructive device. The term “destructive device” means (2) any type of weapon by whatever name known which will, or which may be readily converted to, expel a projectile by the action of an explosive or other propellant, the barrel or barrels of which have a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter, except a shotgun or shotgun shell which the Secretary or his delegate finds is generally recognized as particularly suitable for sporting purposes” 

Section 5845(f)(3) excludes from the term “destructive device” any device which is neither designed or redesigned for use as a weapon and any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety, or similar device. 

In Summary:

North American Cannon's breech loading signaling cannons are chambered to use obsolete black powder cartridges (8, 10 or 12 gauge black powder cartridges) or fuse & loose black powder for muzzle loading cannons and are noise making salute cannons that fires blank cartridges and used for ornamental purposes. Designed specifically per section 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(16) section (B) paragraph (ii) AND section (C)*** Further, North American Cannon signal cannons are classified by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF RULE 95-3) as saluting & signaling devices and not as firearms, weapons or destructive devices per Section 5845(f)(3), which excludes from the term “destructive device” any device which is neither designed or redesigned for use as a weapon and any device, although originally designed for use as a weapon, which is redesigned for use as a signaling, pyrotechnic, line throwing, safety, or similar device.

That being said, each state also has its own rules & regulations regarding buying and using black-powder cannons. It's your responsibility to research your states laws before buying a cannon and cannon accessories. It's recommended you check with local authorities regarding noise ordnance and the ability to purchase black powder blank shells or granulated black powder or substitute (pyrodex) powder. Some states may require cannon purchases go through FFL dealers. NAC is a class 7 FFL dealer and we'll work with your local FFL dealer to ship & transfer your cannon to you.

KNOW THE DIFFERENCE!

Black powder is very different than smokeless powder. Smokeless Powder is used in modern cartridge ammunition. Smokeless Powder has a detonation velocity around 23,000' / second. It is NOT suitable for use in cannons. Using smokeless powder in any cannon not specifically rated for it can cause serious bodily injury or death. Black Powder in comparison, has a detonation velocity around 3500' / second (this changes slightly depending on grain characteristics.) Pyrodex propellant is a suitable product to use in your cannon if black powder is not available.

BLACK POWDER TYPES:

Fg - Typically used for large caliber rifles and cannons. 

FFg - Typically used in older rifles and large powder cartridges.

FFFg - Typically used in antique guns & rifles. 

FFFFg - Typically used for priming flintlocks, blanks & pinfires. 

IT IS NEVER OKAY TO SHOOT PROJECTILES OR SUBSTITUTE SMOKELESS POWDER FOR BLACK-POWDER IN ANY NAC CANNON- DOING SO MAY CAUSE SERIOUS BODILY INJURY, HARM OR DEATH AND MAY BE ILLEGAL!

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