21 years of age handgun rules

[shephard19]

I know it is illegal for someone under 21 to purchase a handgun, but is it illegal to own one if you are under 21?

A bit of trivia: some states allow people under the age of 21 to legaly drink with their parents consent but are not allowed to purchase

 

[Nicodemus38]

atf and federal law require a person to be 21 years of age in order to purchase a handgun from a federaly liscened dealer. however, the minimum age is 18 in order to purchase from momma or daddy, or uncle joe or the guy down the street who wants to get rid of a handgun.

you may still need to be 21 to purchase handgun ammunition, although with the amount of rifles and carbines in pistol calibers, thats a hard thing to proove.

 

[N003k]

All depends on state....

In CT I can purchase handgun ammo as long as they don't believe it's for use in a handgun.

But I can't purchase a handgun in ANY way until I'm 21 AND have an 'eliigibility certificate' or my permit to carry.....two things you can ONLY get at 21....so even though there might have been a federal loophole...the state makes sure there isn't one here.

 

[Country_boy_88]

In sc you can transfer a fire arm between person to person at 18. But if its from a dealer you have to be 21.

Ammo sale is federally mandated at 21. But like said above thats hard to prove.

I believe you do have to be 21 to hold a CWP license.

 

[THE DARK KNIGHT]

Kinda funny, Uncle Sam thinks you're old enough to join the service and go fight in Afghanistan at 17, but he thinks you need to wait four more years to have a beer, buy a lottery ticket or a handgun.

 

[Quiet]

As mentioned before, Federal minimum age to purchase a handgun from a FFL dealer is 21 years old.

The minimum age for ownership depends on the state.

For example, the minimum age to own a handgun in CA is 18 years old.

 

[ScottG1911]

laws are sticky between states. i'm in Ohio, I retrieved my moms handgun once for use in self defense against an attacker. The police had the nerve to try and charge my mom with furnishing a handgun to an underage person. I'm 19 and this happened back in february while I was at her residense. long story short the prosecuter dropped those charges after several statements that I had to go and retrieve the gun rather than had it in my posession.

So you really have to know your state laws. In Ohio it is not illegal for me to own a handgun at 18, however who ever I got the said gun from is in hot water. I can even legally open carry a gun here at 18. it's muffed up I know, but thats your politicians for you.

 

[hub]

The Dark Knight I felt the same way when I was in the Marines. I'm old enough to make a eight year commitment to my country that could potentially cost me physical and mental injury's or even my life. I'm going to be trained to carry rockets, grenades, belt fed machine guns, m16, m9, etc and sent to war to fight but I'm still not old enough to gamble, buy tobacco, beer, liquor, long guns, pistols, or ccw.

Some of those didn't apply to me I joined when I was 19 but honestly I didn't realize exactly what I was getting myself into and I don't think that most do at that age.

Looking back now I have made some foolish decisions before being young and stupid but I think I was still mature enough to understand the responsibility of owning, carrying and possibility of having to use a firearm and the consequences if used in the wrong way.

I did go buy myself a glock 23 on my 21st birthday though. Thankfully the gun shop owner was a pretty good guy and was looking out for my best interest and not just a sale. See young and foolish above. I think I came in looking for a desert eagle or something that was not very ideal for carry purposes but looked cool.

 

[zombienerd]

But I can't purchase a handgun in ANY way until I'm 21 AND have an 'eliigibility certificate' or my permit to carry.....two things you can ONLY get at 21....so even though there might have been a federal loophole...the state makes sure there isn't one here.

003, you need to move to NH

Oh, and long time no see, stop by the "other" boards sometime, and say Hi, eh?

 

[NavyLCDR]

All of the posters that are implying that it is easy to purchase handgun ammunition from a dealer at 18 to 20 years of age by saying that is for a rifle failed to mention that by doing so (lying to a licensed dealer) the purchaser would be committing a felony.

 

[N003k]

Haha I'll try Zombie, I get distracted easily sometimes And I'd love to move to NH or VT, willing to set me up with a nice cushy job and apartment up there though? Lol

And NavyLT, I don't think anyones inferring to directly lie, I know I wasn't. I was just saying I can puchase handgun ammo, so long as the dealer believes its for use in a longgun. Is it a stupid law? Yes..... Are there those that break it? Yes.... Would I directly advocate breaking a law? No.

 

[bigalexe]

In Michigan an individual between 18 and 21 may not purchase a handgun or handgun ammunition. They may receive handgun ammunition as a gift from a legal purchaser, they may not however receive a handgun IIRC due to the fact the handgun is registered and paperwork for a FTF transfer of a handgun is the same as the paperwork for a new firearm purchase.

Also I really think the OP is mistaken about the alcohol thing. As far as I know no such loophole exists.

 

[TexasRifleman]

In Michigan an individual between 18 and 21 may not purchase a handgun or handgun ammunition.

Always interests me. What exactly is "handgun ammunition"?

Pretty much every rifle round I can think of has been put into some kind of handgun at one time or anther. Besides Remington and Thompson-Contender there have been all kinds of custom bolt action handguns.

Just always wonder how this stuff flies.

And the opposite is true as well, .44 Mag and .357 lever actions for example.

I haven't said it in a while, this is a good place for it: "Guns laws are stupid".

 

[NavyLCDR]

Also I really think the OP is mistaken about the alcohol thing. As far as I know no such loophole exists.

Revised code of Washington 66.44.270:

(1) It is unlawful for any person to sell, give, or otherwise supply liquor to any person under the age of twenty-one years or permit any person under that age to consume liquor on his or her premises or on any premises under his or her control. For the purposes of this subsection, "premises" includes real property, houses, buildings, and other structures, and motor vehicles and watercraft. A violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided for in chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(2)(a) It is unlawful for any person under the age of twenty-one years to possess, consume, or otherwise acquire any liquor. A violation of this subsection is a gross misdemeanor punishable as provided for in chapter 9A.20 RCW.

(b) It is unlawful for a person under the age of twenty-one years to be in a public place, or to be in a motor vehicle in a public place, while exhibiting the effects of having consumed liquor. For purposes of this subsection, exhibiting the effects of having consumed liquor means that a person has the odor of liquor on his or her breath and either: (i) Is in possession of or close proximity to a container that has or recently had liquor in it; or (ii) by speech, manner, appearance, behavior, lack of coordination, or otherwise, exhibits that he or she is under the influence of liquor. This subsection (2)(b) does not apply if the person is in the presence of a parent or guardian or has consumed or is consuming liquor under circumstances described in subsection (4) or (5) of this section.

(3) Subsections (1) and (2)(a) of this section do not apply to liquor given or permitted to be given to a person under the age of twenty-one years by a parent or guardian and consumed in the presence of the parent or guardian. This subsection shall not authorize consumption or possession of liquor by a person under the age of twenty-one years on any premises licensed under chapter 66.24 RCW.

 

[General Geoff]

Always interests me. What exactly is "handgun ammunition"?

It's a vague definition. A good rule of thumb would be whether the cartridge was originally designed for use in a handgun. But they sometimes ask about cartridges that weren't, such as .22lr.

 

[TexasRifleman]

It's a vague definition. A good rule of thumb would be whether the cartridge was originally designed for use in a handgun.

Rule of thumb certainly, but that's the problem.

.22 rimfire is the biggest problem that I see around here. Available in so many rifles AND handguns, is it handgun ammo or not?

The .22 Short and Long, for example, were both "originally intended" for use in revolvers yet my son has a pump action rifle that will shoot both.

.22 Long Rifle originally intended for rifles, but most sellers won't sell .22LR to anyone under 21.

Are retailers expected to keep a reference book handy to read the history of all cartridges so they can know if they were originally intended for handguns?

You see the problem here from a legal standpoint. Rules of thumb don't keep you out of potential trouble or allow for the law abiding to do their business.

 

[General Geoff]

I'm not arguing with you, it's a particularly dumb law and is practically impossible to enforce.

.22 Long Rifle originally intended for rifles, but most sellers won't sell .22LR to anyone under 21.

I never had a problem buying .22lr when I was between 18 and 21. Most gun shops sold to me without question, and big box stores like Wal Mart would ask me if it's for a handgun or rifle. This was before I made it a point to reply with, "machine gun," so I answered rifle, and they sold it to me every time.

 

[TexasRifleman]

I'm not arguing with you, it's a particularly dumb law and is practically impossible to enforce.

Oh I know you were not arguing, it just has to be frustrating for a business owner having nothing more than a rule of thumb to go by.

I did have a problem buying .22lr when I was younger. The local "True Value" store where I bought my ammo (no Wal Mart in my town at the time) wouldn't sell any .22 ammo to under 21 out of fear of getting caught up in this mess.

Wal Mart has developed the policy ( I assume it's policy, I see it at most of them) of asking if it's for handgun. I guess their lawyers are satisfied with that. Yet that seems dangerous, depending on a customer to keep things straight.

 

[General Geoff]

It's plausible deniability. It is not wal mart's fault if someone lies to them in order to buy ammo. It's legally the same as using a fake ID to buy beer. Not the beer distributor's fault if the fake ID is convincing.

 

[NavyLCDR]

It's a vague definition. A good rule of thumb would be whether the cartridge was originally designed for use in a handgun. But they sometimes ask about cartridges that weren't, such as .22lr.

HOWEVER, as it applies to the Federal law, the intended DESIGN of the cartridge is of no consequence. The Federal law prohibits dealers from selling ammunition INTENDED to be used in a handgun to person under 21. It could be 30.06 ammo, but if the INTENDED use by the purchaser is for a handgun, the 21 restriction applies.

If the 9mm ammo being purchased is INTENDED to be used by the purchaser in a rifle, the 21 age restriction does not apply.

It's a simple matter for the dealer to cover their butts: just ask if the ammo is intended to be used by the purchaser in a handgun or a rifle, regardless of what type or caliber the ammo is. Answer: handgun - the 21 restriction applies. Answer: rifle or shotgun - the 18 age restriction applies.

Heck .410 shotgun shells can be fired from several handguns.

 

[TexasRifleman]

HOWEVER, as it applies to the Federal law, the intended DESIGN of the cartridge is of no consequence. The Federal law prohibits dealers from selling ammunition INTENDED to be used in a handgun to person under 21. It could be 30.06 ammo, but if the INTENDED use by the purchaser is for a handgun, the 21 restriction applies.

And that's why it's an asinine law, which was my point.

That's like asking someone if they intend to rob a bank with that ski mask they are buying.

 

[ScottG1911]

I was with someone once at walmart, who was over 21 btw. He tried to buy a box or 2 of 40 cal's and the employee asked if it was for a rifle or handgun. He just being honest said a handgun. Now he is over 21 like I said, but the walmart employee refused to sell him the ammo because as we were told, " Walmart does not sell handgun ammo at all " The employee did seem confused when confronted with the fact that most of their ammo they had left was mainly designed for handguns. I think I signted to the guy the 9mm his store had. I told him the only rifle that would shoot it cost in the $3000 range. I kinda deliberatly failed to mention cheaper rifles like the bereta or ruger lol. but I was tryin to make a point that most people buying any handgun calibers were using their ammo in handguns

 

[scythefwd]

Kinda funny, Uncle Sam thinks you're old enough to join the service and go fight in Afghanistan at 17, but he thinks you need to wait four more years to have a beer, buy a lottery ticket or a handgun.

The Dark Night, that isn't true. You must be 18 by the time you graduate either AIT or Basic (I don't remember). You can join at 17, but you won't be shipping anywhere but school until you are at least 18. You won't even make it to your permanent duty assignment, who will be the ones deploying you, until you are 18. The Military will just delay your BASD (basic Activation of Service Date, aka the day you ship to basic) until it is less than 2 months before your 18th birthday. That is unless things have changed in the last 2 years since I got out.

 

[ScottG1911]

No you are correct scythefwd

 

[SteveCase]

Don't you people just love when you can buy more powerful cartridges like .06 , x39 and 5.56 no problem but its when you get those smaller cartridges man watch out