Some backstory: I purchased a Savage 64 several months ago at Academy, and was allowed to buy 2 500ct bricks of .22LR with it because I purchased the rifle at the same time. Talking to the manager, he said if I came back I would not be allowed to buy more ammunition unless I was 21 or purchased another rifle concurrently. So he suggested the Wal-Mart right across the street if I wanted more .22LR. I was told it was store policy that this was usable as handgun ammunition, therefore they set a '21' age limit.
Since then, I've stopped by that Wal-Mart, as well as Dick's, and Oshman's or Sports Authority, and all have sold me .22LR as I am over 18 (but under 21). Unfortunately, these guys dont have the Federal 500 brick i usually buy, so I usually have to settle for the 333 count for a similar price, or buy it in the 50ct boxes, which adds up rather more expensive.
I stopped by Academy earlier today to pick up a gun case, and stopped by the guy at the gun counter and asked if they had rescinded this policy since I last was in the store. This time the guy (different one than months ago) said it was not store policy but Federal law that .22LR is handgun ammunition, and every place that has sold it to me was breaking the law (basically everywhere but Academy's). I was in a hurry and didn't feel like arguing with him, plus I am not 100% sure on the law regarding this. Despite the specific name of the round, Long RIFLE.
The only ATF regs applicable that I could find (kindof) define a handgun/ammunition:
Handgun. (a) Any firearm which has a short stock and is designed to
be held and fired by the use of a single hand; and
(b) Any combination of parts from which a firearm described in
paragraph (a) can be assembled.
Ammunition. Ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or
propellent powder designed for use in any firearm other than an antique
firearm.
therefore, considering a pistol/revolver could be adapted to fire any regular rifle cartridge, shouldn't all ammunition be considered handgun? and same thing with rifles, so shouldnt all ammunition be considered for rifles? However, I didnt see anything that specifically enumerates .22LR.
so, is .22LR Federally considered handgun ammunition, requiring any purchasers to be 21? I know Texas doesn't specify it as such, but Fed I can't really find anything either.
Since then, I've stopped by that Wal-Mart, as well as Dick's, and Oshman's or Sports Authority, and all have sold me .22LR as I am over 18 (but under 21). Unfortunately, these guys dont have the Federal 500 brick i usually buy, so I usually have to settle for the 333 count for a similar price, or buy it in the 50ct boxes, which adds up rather more expensive.
I stopped by Academy earlier today to pick up a gun case, and stopped by the guy at the gun counter and asked if they had rescinded this policy since I last was in the store. This time the guy (different one than months ago) said it was not store policy but Federal law that .22LR is handgun ammunition, and every place that has sold it to me was breaking the law (basically everywhere but Academy's). I was in a hurry and didn't feel like arguing with him, plus I am not 100% sure on the law regarding this. Despite the specific name of the round, Long RIFLE.
The only ATF regs applicable that I could find (kindof) define a handgun/ammunition:
Handgun. (a) Any firearm which has a short stock and is designed to
be held and fired by the use of a single hand; and
(b) Any combination of parts from which a firearm described in
paragraph (a) can be assembled.
Ammunition. Ammunition or cartridge cases, primers, bullets, or
propellent powder designed for use in any firearm other than an antique
firearm.
therefore, considering a pistol/revolver could be adapted to fire any regular rifle cartridge, shouldn't all ammunition be considered handgun? and same thing with rifles, so shouldnt all ammunition be considered for rifles? However, I didnt see anything that specifically enumerates .22LR.
so, is .22LR Federally considered handgun ammunition, requiring any purchasers to be 21? I know Texas doesn't specify it as such, but Fed I can't really find anything either.