Depending on the age (antique?), this may not even fall under the ATF definition of "firearm" and therefore would not need to be declared!

Firearms in many definitions include the term "portable".  This is not intended to be portable, I don't think!

All-in-all, common sense should prevail.  Let the guy have his cannon!!   

Seriously is it considered a firearm?

Keep in mind, from up to a few years ago until now, Maui TSA agents are not the brightest.  A couple of years ago, one TSA agent and supervisor gave me a lot of static and made a big deal out of a Glock punch tool on my key ring.  The embossed Glock logo is what made them enforce the "for firearms" issue.  These 2 guys must have been a member of their high school drama club back in the day.  The body language, facial expressions and over all attitude made me chuckle and wanted to just push there buttons even more.  In the end they gave me the option to surrender the item or head back to the counter and ask for a box to check it in.  I ended up bumping into a friend of mine who is a porter at the airport, asked him if he would be working at a particular time later that week and tossed it to him.  From what I gather the job must be really boring.  One must get a hard on once something exciting and/or chance to be on the news happens.

My favorite TSA remembrance was them confiscating the tiny 6" crescent wrench I used to fly with on diving trips.  i carried it for last minute hose tightening checks.

Attempted to get them to articulate what was so evil and threatening about an adjustable wrench no bigger than my hand.  They could not of course.

Should have quipped something about dismantling the airplane in flight, but that might have invited a cavity search.

  ... another fine example of why the TSA is a waste of tax dollars....  and as they grope the cannon owner, terrorists slips by.....

::)and as they grope the cannon owner, terrorists slips by.....

Speaking of which, has there EVER been a reported stopping of a terrorist plot/attempt/probing in the history of the TSA?

I am sure they would claim they can't talk about it, but my gut tells me no, they have done nothing but act as a jobs creation for rejects from fast food jobs.

The TSA is a waste of 40 billion dollars a year, and a lot of perfectly good air.

but they found a cannon!

must be portable , even a machine gun that is not portable is not regulated under NFA.

but since it fires loose powder it is not a firearm.

must be portable , even a machine gun that is not portable is not regulated under NFA.

but since it fires loose powder it is not a firearm.

Got to say Suka, you got bigger huevos and more patience than I to test the gubmint limits about all these BS laws

I just wait for a decent place to shoot what I have..............

The term "firearm" is defined in the regulations in 27 C.F.R. § 53.11 to mean any portable weapons, such as rifles, carbines, machineguns, shotguns, or fowling pieces, from which a shot, bullet, or other projectile may be discharged by a projectile. There are no regulations or published rulings defining the term "portable." However, ATF has issued a number of private letter rulings interpreting the term "portable" to mean that the firearm is capable of being carried by a person.




Cannon can be ruled as a Destructive Device (such as Tanks, howitzer, etc) , but never a firearm!

27 CFR 53.11

Firearms. Any portable weapons, such as rifles, carbines, machine guns, shotguns, or fowling pieces, from which a shot, bullet, or other projectile may be discharged by an explosive.



NOT portable, NOT a firearm , NOT subject to taxation!         NFA is a Tax

How about this?  If he's a Hawaii resident, he should take it to the police department to register as a firearm. When the police tell him it's not a firearm, and that he is not required to register it, ask for a letter to that effect. 

Not sure he'll be flying with it again, but I would at least plan a trip to the local TSA office and file a complaint for not properly enforcing the laws.

Did anyone stop to think that the cannon might be stolen from a historic site?

Did anyone stop to think that the cannon might be stolen from a historic site?

Yes