A couple of generations ago this would not have been news at all. Now, it’s not only news but completely awesome.
After studying the Revolutionary War, students from Craver Middle School in Pueblo, Colorado spent the day at a gun range.
Coordinated by Project Appleseed, a nonprofit that teaches history and marksman ship via The Revolutionary War Veterans Association, the kids were shown gun safety and how to handle a firearm. All of them were allowed to shoot at the range with live ammunition.

 Iron_Captain wrote:
A field trip to a shooting range? What is so special about that? How could people have a problem with that (only if they are Dutch maybe )? In Russia, shooting lessons are a normal part of the school program and just given in the yard.
I guess the US is less gun-crazy than I thought it was. This forum sure is educational

 Breotan wrote:

 LordofHats wrote:
Would have been way cooler with period pieces.

Yes! Muzzle loaded muskets with packs of black powder and freshly smelted lead balls just like in Mel Gibson's "The Patriot".

Bullockist wrote:

I am so keen to shoot some black powder weapons , go bow hunting and get my gun licence. Goddammit Dakka what have you done to me?

1. Can a person prohibited by law from possessing a firearm acquire and use a black powder muzzle loading firearm?
The Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA) prohibits felons and certain other persons from possessing or receiving firearms and ammunition (“prohibited persons”). These categories can be found at 18 U.S.C. § 922(g) and (n) in

http://atf.gov/publications/download/p/atf-p-5300-4.pdf
.
However, Federal law does not prohibit these persons from possessing or receiving an antique firearm. The term “antique firearm” means any firearm (including any firearm with a matchlock, flintlock, percussion cap, or similar type of ignition system) manufactured in or before 1898. The definition includes any replica of an antique firearm if it is not designed or redesigned for using rimfire or conventional centerfire fixed ammunition, or uses rimfire or conventional centerfire ammunition which is no longer manufactured in the United States, and which is not readily available in ordinary channels of commercial trade. Further, any muzzle loading rifle, shotgun, or pistol which is designed to use black powder or black powder substitute, and which cannot use fixed ammunition, is an “antique firearm” unless it (1) incorporates a firearm frame or receiver; (2) is a firearm which is
converted into a muzzle loading weapon; or (3) is a muzzle loading weapon which can be readily converted to fire fixed ammunition by replacing the barrel, bolt, breechblock, or any combination thereof.

See 18 U.S.C. § 921(a)(3), (a)(16).
Thus, a muzzle loading weapon that meets the definition of an “antique firearm” is not a firearm and may lawfully be received and possessed by a prohibited person under the GCA.
In addition, the GCA defines the term “ammunition” to mean “ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or propellant powder designed for use in any firearm.” Because an “antique firearm” is not a “firearm,” it would is lawful for a prohibited person to receive or possess black powder designed for use in an “antique firearm.” Also, the Federal explosives laws do not make it unlawful for a prohibited person to acquire and possess black powder in quantities not exceeding fifty pounds if it is intended to be used solely for sporting, recreational, or cultural purposes in “antique firearms.”

See
18 U.S.C. § 845(a)(5)