Are black powder pistols considered firearms?

Answer 1

Yes. Absolutely.

A black powder weapon IS a firearm in terms of the criminal law.

There is some difference in the definitions in the Gun Control Act. Because of the difference in the two in the Gun Control Act, it would be easier for someone to obtain a black powder pistol without attracting attention. However, someone carrying one is going to be considered to have a weapon.

Random House College Dictionary: firearm.... small-arms weapon from which a projectile is fired by gunpowder.

In the sense that they expel a projectile powered by an explosive yes, they are.

However, when you go to The Gun Control Act of 1968, Public Law 90-618 and read the definitions for firearm" and "antique firearm" you find:

Firearm. 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; the frame or receiver of any such weapon; any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; or any destructive device; but the term shall not include an antique firearm. In the case of a licensed collector, the term shall mean only curios and relics.

Antique firearm. (a) Any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898; and (b)any replica of any firearm described in paragraph(a) of this definition if such replica (1) is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional center fire fixed ammunition, or (2) uses rimfire 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.

(C) any muzzle loading rifle, muzzle loading shotgun, or muzzle loading pistol, which is designed to use black powder, or a black powdersubstitute, and which cannot use fixed ammunition. For purposes of this subparagraph, the term "antique firearm" shall not include any weaponwhich incorporates a firearm frame or receiver, any firearm which is converted into a muzzle loading weapon, or any muzzle loading weapon whichcan be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof.Paragraph(C) clearly states a muzzle loading firearm of any type is an antique firearm thus for the purposes of GCA68 a muzzleloading firearm is not legally a firearm. So as far as the GCA of 1968 goes, antiques are not "firearms" in the sense of the normal paperwork involve.