Legal Information

Is what IMA sells Legal?

Yes. International Military Antiques, Inc observes all Federal, State and Local laws. Everything for sale on ima-usa.com is completely legal to own, trade, transport and sell within the United States of America. Every musket, rifle, display machinegun, machine gun parts set and gun sold by IMA, Inc is engineered to be inoperable according to guidelines provided by the US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF). Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns manufactured prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering. IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Gun magazine laws, concealed weapons laws, laws governing new made display guns, airsoft guns and other items vary greatly by Nation, State and Locality. IMA works diligently to be aware of these ever changing laws and obeys them accordingly. However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to be in compliance of laws that govern their specific location. By placing an order, the buyer represents that he/she is in compliance with the law and will utilize the items in a lawful manner. All orders are subject to acceptance by IMA Inc, which reserves the right to refuse any order. We assume no liability associated with misuse of our products.

Antique Guns

IMA considers all of our antique guns as non-firing, inoperable and/or inert. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns made prior to 1899. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering because they are not legally considered firearms. No FFL, C&R or any license is required to posses, transport, sell or trade Antique guns. All rifles and muskets sold by IMA that were manufactured prior to 1898 are considered Antiques by the US BATF (United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms). Therefore, all of IMA's Antique guns may be shipped to all US States and most nations around the world.

These antique guns are not sold in “live” condition. They are sold as collector’s items or as “wall hangers”. Any attempt at restoring an antique gun to be operational is strongly discouraged and is done so at the risk of the customer. By purchasing an antique gun from IMA you thereby release IMA, its employees and corporate officers from any and all liability associated with use of our Antique guns.

Deactivated Display Machineguns

The US Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (BATF) have approved all display machineguns sold by IMA. Each is engineered to be non-operational in a number of ways. The deactivation design for each weapon varies, but most commonly, we use a new made solid steel or aluminum receiver in place of an operational receiver. A receiver is the portion of the machinegun that houses the mechanical parts that are responsible for firing the weapon. A common analogy we like to use is this; a display receiver is to a machinegun as a solid engine is to a car. The car’s engine may look and feel like an operational engine but, it is totally solid, no moving parts, there is no way to get it to run.

Machinegun Parts, Part Sets & “Demilled” Receivers

Machinegun part sets aren’t ever complete. People cannot assemble a working machinegun from an IMA parts set. In accordance with federal law IMA does not include the prohibited portion of the machinegun as outlined and determined by the BATF. Generally, the prohibited section is either the receiver or side plate. IMA occasionally offers “demilled” receivers. A “demill” or de-militarized receiver has been cut according to exact specifications outlined by the BATF to ensure that the receiver cannot be reassembled operational condition. Many collectors prefer demilled receivers for the original markings and historic value. On some weapons IMA uses welded demilled receivers to assemble a display machinegun. Whenever this method is used we do so under strict accordance and approval of the US BATF to ensure that the weapon cannot be converted to a functional firearm.

Integral Machinegun parts such as barrels, bolts, pieces of receivers, side plates and others are not available for export. Residents of Washington State may not purchase any machinegun parts unless they are to be used for the manufacture or repair of legal registered semi-automatic firearms. Please fax us with a signed statement indicating the purpose of your purchase. Residents of New Jersey State may not purchase any machinegun parts.

Federal Firearms License (FFL) and Curio & Relic (C&R)

In general terms, IMA does not sell firearms that require an FFL or C&R. However, when the occasion arises, we require that a Valid FFL or C&R be on file. We are aware of the recent changes in ATF policy allowing FFL licensees the ability to fax or scan copies of their licenses and submit them. However, it is also strongly suggested by the BATF that we verify these licenses on the FFL EZ Check system. Due to privacy issues, C&R licenses are not listed in FFL EZ Check system. Therefore, it is our company policy to only accept signed ink original copies of C&R licenses by postal mail. We will only accept signed faxed or scanned clean images of FFLs. Every FFL will be verified through the FFL EZ Check system. C&R holders must mail an ink signed copy to: C&R Purchases, IMA Inc, 1000 Valley Rd, Gillette, NJ 07933.

High Capacity Magazine Laws & Restrictions

Due to State & Federal law we do not ship magazines that exceed the following capacities to these locations:

  • California: 10 round maximum.
  • Colorado: 15 round maximum.
  • Connecticut: 10 round maximum.
  • Hawaii: 10 round maximum.
  • Illinois: 15 rounds Chicago & Aurora. 10 rounds for Oak Park & Cook.
  • Maryland: 20 round maximum.
  • Massachusetts: 10 round maximum for all magazines.
  • New Jersey: 10 round maximum for all magazines.
  • New York: 10 round maximum for all magazines.
  • Washington, D.C.: 10 round maximum for all magazines.
  • International: We do not export any magazines.

Airsoft Guns

You must be over 18 to purchase an Airsoft gun. It is the responsibility of the customer to be in compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws and regulations.

US Domestic Locations where we do not ship (due to local law):

  • Chicago, IL Zip Codes: 60607-26, 60628-34, 60636-41, 60643-49, 60651-57, 60659-61, 60663-64, 60666, 60668-70, 60673-75, 60677-82, 60684-91, 60693-99, 60701, 60706-07, 60803-05, 60827
  • Washington DC
  • Jonson City - Tennessee Zip codes: 37601, 37602, 37604, 37605, 37614, 37615
  • All five boroughs of New York City

International Locations where we do not ship (due to import law):


  • Australia, Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, United Kingdom, Malaysia, Singapore

New Made Replica Guns

Every new made replica gun sold by IMA has a red plug inserted in the muzzle of the barrel as required by US LAW. Removal of this red plug is prohibited and is in violation of federal law. IMA will not accept the return of any new made replica gun should ithe red plug be missing or show signs that the red plug had been previously removed.

Some replica guns are not available for export or in some US locations. Our new made replica display guns can never be engineered to fire a live round therefore no license of any kind is required for purchase.

Why are these legal?

  • No new made replica gun is able to be converted to chamber a round nor fire live ammunition, and as such, has been declared a “Non-Gun” by the Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco Firearms and Explosives (BATFE).
  • Each new made replica gun is manufactured overseas and wouldn't be importable if it didn’t conform to BATF approved designs.
  • Each is built from the ground up as replica non-gun weapon and contains no actual gun parts whatsoever.
  • Each new made replica gun is 100% legal for transfer, ownership and export (IMA elects not to ship these internationally). However, certain locations in the USA do restrict commerce of detailed replica weapons. Be sure to check your local laws before ordering, as you will be responsible for any infractions.
  • New made replica guns cannot be shipped to WASHINGTON DC, MA, CT, WI, NYC, (in NY, CA & KS must be used for Theatrical Purposes Only) these locations either restrict or prohibit commerce in imitation firearms that are replicas of modern firearms. We can only ship modern replica firearms to these jurisdictions under certain circumstances. Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding specific restrictions in these areas.