Buying handgun ammo

monotonous_iterancy · Feb 17, 2013

I've been wondering about this, it seems like a gray area.

Legally, people under 21 can have handguns, but they can not buy handgun ammo. However, if a 20 year old were to have a lever action or carbine that fired a handgun round, and also have a handgun, when asked whether the ammo they're buying is for a handgun or rifle, could they legally say "rifle", even though some of it may be used in a handgun?

Quiet · Feb 17, 2013

As long as the vendor selling the ammo believes that the 18-20 year old person is using the ammo for use in a rifle, then that vendor can legally sell the ammo to that person.

suemarkp · Feb 17, 2013

Happens all the time for 22LR. Some "kids" don't know that and wonder why the checkout person is asking if this is for a rifle or handgun.

NavyLCDR · Feb 17, 2013

First, the Federal prohibition of selling ammunition for use in a handgun to a person under 21 years of age applies only to FFLs. An FFL is not required to engage in the business of selling ammunition only.

Second, it is a violation of Federal law for the purchaser to lie to the FFL regarding the intended use of the ammunition being purchased, 18 USC 922 (a)(6):

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/18/922

(a) It shall be unlawful—
(6) for any person in connection with the acquisition or attempted acquisition of any firearm or ammunition from a licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector, knowingly to make any false or fictitious oral or written statement or to furnish or exhibit any false, fictitious, or misrepresented identification, intended or likely to deceive such importer, manufacturer, dealer, or collector with respect to any fact material to the lawfulness of the sale or other disposition of such firearm or ammunition under the provisions of this chapter;

splithoof · Feb 18, 2013

Thank you for the legal citation.
As far as I can tell, ALL ammunition is made for long guns.

monotonous_iterancy · Feb 24, 2013

^^ but if someone buys a 550 box of .22s, and has both a rifle and a handgun, then is it lying to say "rifle", even though some of them will probably be used in a handgun?

NavyLCDR · Feb 24, 2013

monotonous_iterancy said:
^^ but if someone buys a 550 box of .22s, and has both a rifle and a handgun, then is it lying to say "rifle", even though some of them will probably be used in a handgun?

What matters is the intended use of the ammunition at the time of purchase. Nothing wrong with buying the ammo and intending to use it all in the rifle, then change your mind later. Also, the age limit/intended use requirement only exists when you are buying the ammo from a licensed dealer, and there is no license required to deal only in ammunition, so if the retail store does not sell guns, they are not likely to be an FFL, and neither are the mail order ammunition dealers that do not sell firearms.

316SS · Feb 26, 2013

NavyLCDR said:
What matters is the intended use of the ammunition at the time of purchase. Nothing wrong with buying the ammo and intending to use it all in the rifle, then change your mind later.

What if I'm buying it as a gift, and I don't know whether the recipient intends to use it in their rifle or handgun? :scrutiny:

BSA1 · Feb 26, 2013

Then you are obiligated to personally deliver the ammunition to that person, accompany them to the range and ensure they fire it through a long gun. And it the interest of protecting them you should test fire the ammo first through their long gun to make sure it is safe...

OR

Go buy them a new necktie.

Buying handgun ammo

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