by As Tom Gresham often says on Gun Talk, a lie repeated often enough becomes the truth. I think that is Joe Biden’s mantra especially with regard to all things Second Amendment and firearms.
Even though his lie about the Founders not allowing you to buy a cannon was debunked, he still repeated it again yesterday. Joe, Joe, Joe. SMDH.
Even the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives will tell you that you don’t need a license or have to pay a tax to own a muzzle-loading cannon. Moreover, for a $200 tax plus registration, you can own a more modern artillery piece. My friends Cheryl and Danny Todd have one.
So Joe’s Big Lie got me to wondering where I could go if I wanted my very own muzzle-loading cannon. Turns out I didn’t have to look too hard.
Hern Iron Works of Couer d’Alene, Idaho is offering a Model 1861 3″ light artillery rifle for only $3,951. While that doesn’t include the carriage, I’m sure anyone handy with wood could make their own.
Let’s say you want to go a little bigger. Dixie Gun Works has their Civil War Field Cannon with an 8″ muzzle diameter for a little bit more. This steel-lined, cast iron beauty weighs a mere 875 pounds.
If you want something a little smaller but with lots of style, Steen Cannons of Ashland, KY offers their US Model 1857 12-pounder Napoleon in bronze. Price, unfortunately, is on request but Steen has a lot of models from which to choose.
These are all legal and all are working cannons. You just need a supply of black powder, fuses, and some ammunition. If you want an idea of your choices, Wikipedia comes through!
So do the guys on Myth Busters.
If you do buy a cannon, play it safe. We don’t want a Moms Demand Action Against Cannon Violence to be Shannon Watts next new gig.
Sigh… shows how much this administration knows about 2A, and how lousy the speech writers research is…
Not only can you legally purchase and own a cannon, you can make one yourself.
Would that be a “Ghost Cannon?”
Cannons were a really popular project for students in my machine shop class.
My friend Fred Wells, son of the famous Prescott, Arizona gunsmith of the same name, made a great big one (by homemade grass turning standards) that was (and might still be) regularly used during Prescott Badger football games to mark halftime and the end of games.
Oh the Humanity…!!!
I remember Uncle Fred, an uncle-in-law, had made a couple of small ones from large bronze welding rods. He would load them up with blackpowder and newspaper wadding to fire off on Independence Day and New Year’s Eve. He did get some complaints from a couple of neighbors in Key Largo which he ignored.