Age Limit to Enter Gun Store

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I was driving home today and decided to stop by Gunsport in Centerville, Ohio. It had been awhile since I had been there since their prices had been high in the past. None the less, I decided to check them out as I needed to pick up some 22 and 12 gauge ammo. I walked up to the door and saw a hand written sign saying your must be 21 years of age to enter. Being 19 I turned around and left, respecting their right as a private business to refuse service. I'm now going to go and spend my money else where. None the less, I was still surprised by their decision to put up a sign that I had to be 21 just to enter their store. I'm an avid hunter and shooter, a marine reservist who handles class III weapons on a regular basis, and a college student with good grades, hardly the gang banger that the owner of the store seems to think I am, simply because I'm under 21.

I've never seen a sign like this before, and honestly it seemed kind of snobby (the owners seemed to be big Glock and HK fans anyways :neener: ) Are age limits common in gun stores?
 
I've been to a similar store outside of Denver, I had the same reaction you did.
 
Theres not a legal issue that I know of but maybe they are having trouble with some of the local youth. It is foolish if you ask me.
 
Perhaps they only sell handguns. As such no one under 21yo can handle them or buy from them. That might be the reason. I know a few FFLs that only deal with handguns and not rifles.
 
Been there myself.

GunSport sells all types of guns, pistols, rifles, shotguns, ammo and related accessories. The OP didn't miss much considering that GunSport tends to price at the high end of the retail market while having nothing unusual to offer over any other store that I've ever been in.

Don't sweat it, Crazy Uncle Al- You've missed nothing spectacular except for their prices.
 
News to me. Go to any Gun Show and you see kids, young adults. Go to
any box-store that sells ammo/guns you see kids, young adults. That applies to Gun stores here as well.

To bad you didn`t ask...why. Then we`d know.
 
normaly you have to be 18 to handle rifles and shotguns but pistols would be over 21 and you should still be able to go in the store
 
Sounds like they are either scared or lazy, but they are for sure ignorant. If the American military will take 18 year olds, then they should have all the rights that the country offers.
 
I work in the firearms industry and there is no federal law that states that an individual under the age of 21 cannot be in a gun store. Also there is no state law in Ohio that states you may not enter into a gun store. However is sounds like a box store issue. Certain box stores have a set of tighter regulations then state and federal law. Which might be the case.
 
I'm an avid hunter and shooter, a marine reservist who handles class III weapons on a regular basis, and a college student with good grades, hardly the gang banger...

If every 19 year old were like you, the US would be a better place...but again those characteristics are limited.

I work in the firearms industry and there is no federal law that states that an individual under the age of 21 cannot be in a gun store. Also there is no state law in Ohio that states you may not enter into a gun store. However is sounds like a box store issue. Certain box stores have a set of tighter regulations then state and federal law. Which might be the case.

But do you let those under 21 fondle weapons to their delight?
 
Thank you for serving, Uncle Al. Your situation with the gunstore is absurd and should be taken with a large grain of salt, as others have said here you probably didnt miss much. Just express your opinion of that store with your feet and your wallet. Keep in mind there are plenty of 19 year olds with a year of sandbox combat under their belts who cant buy a beer in the local tavern which is another absurdity.
 
Never seen anything like that. I'd never walk into a store with such a sign, being only 18 and all.

I'd never have any fun at all if the gun stores around here did that. I love to go in and just chat up those who are wiser in the ways of guns than I am. :D
 
It's against federal law for a sub-21yo to handle a handgun at a dealer's.

I sure didn't know that. I just *might* have broken that at least every time I go into a gun store. I"m always seeing what I think of grips, sights and such on a latest handgun.
 
a local range near me had a sign refusing people under the age of 21 unless they were in the military or in law enforcement. It made sense, since they were not a gun store that carried anything hunting-related, but still...

I guess some people just don't want to sell an AK-47 to a mall ninja, counter-strike kid, or an idiot who could be trying to buy one with the interest of going out there and shooting at people with it.

I still went in once before my 21st and bought 100 rounds of .223 from them. They still sold it to me. I guess they did not bother me since I came in with the intent of spending money right when I walked in.

It's against federal law for a sub-21yo to handle a handgun at a dealer's

No it is not. It is against the law for a sub-21yo to purchase a handgun from a dealer, but he can still surely possess one, let alone fondle one or check one out. It would be, however, against the law for a sub-18yo to even touch a handgun unless under direct supervision by parent, guardian, and/or qualified instructor.
 
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It's against federal law for a sub-21yo to handle a handgun at a dealer's.

I'm 15 and when my dad and I bought my glock I was able to hold it. Maybe the clerk just didn't know the law.
 
Here is federal law for purchases from the ATF web site which anyone can obtain.

(F6) Does a customer have to be a certain age to buy firearms or ammunition from a licensee? [Back]

Yes. Under the GCA, long guns and long gun ammunition may be sold only to persons 18 years of age or older. Sales of handguns and ammunition for handguns are limited to persons 21 years of age and older. Although some State and local ordinances have lower age requirements, dealers are bound by the minimum age requirements established by the GCA. If State law or local ordinances establish a higher minimum age, the dealer must observe the higher age requirement.

Here is federal law on your .22 ammo

(F7) May a licensee sell interchangeable ammunition such as .22 cal. rimfire to a person less than 21 years old? [Back]

Yes, provided the buyer is 18 years of age or older, and the dealer is satisfied that it is for use in a rifle. If the ammunition is intended for use in a handgun, the 21-year-old minimum age requirement is applicable.
 
C. CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

(Q1): Can a juvenile possess a handgun and ammunition on the business premises of a licensee?

(A1): Juvenile possession of a handgun on the business premises of a licensee for examination or viewing purposes is prohibited pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(x). Under 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1), it is unlawful for a Federal firearms licensee to sell or deliver “any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than eighteen years of age, and, if the firearm or ammunition is other than a shotgun or rifle, or ammunition for a shotgun or rifle, to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than twenty-one years of age.”

Further, 18 U.S.C. 922(x) provides that it shall be unlawful for a person to sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer to a person who the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a juvenile - (a) a handgun; or (b) ammunition that is suitable for use only in a handgun. And, it shall be unlawful for any person who is a juvenile to knowingly possess the same. This subsection does not apply to--

1. a temporary transfer of a handgun or ammunition to a juvenile or to the possession or use of a handgun or ammunition by a juvenile if the handgun and ammunition are possessed and used by the juvenile--
1. in the course of employment, in the course of ranching or farming related to activities at the residence of the juvenile (or on property used for ranching or farming at which the juvenile, with the permission of the property owner or lessee, is performing activities related to the operation of the farm or ranch), target practice, hunting, or a course of instruction in the safe and lawful use of a handgun;
2. with the prior written consent of the juvenile's parent or guardian who is not prohibited by Federal, State, or local law from possessing a firearm, except--
1. during transportation by the juvenile of an unloaded handgun in a locked container directly from the place of transfer to a place at which an activity described in clause (i) is to take place and transportation by the juvenile of that handgun, unloaded and in a locked container, directly from the place at which such an activity took place to the transferor; or
2. with respect to ranching or farming activities as described in clause (i), a juvenile may possess and use a handgun or ammunition with the prior written approval of the juvenile's parent or legal guardian and at the direction of an adult who is not prohibited by Federal, State or local law from possessing a firearm;
3. the juvenile has the prior written consent in the juvenile's possession at all times when a handgun is in the possession of the juvenile; and
4. in accordance with State and local law;
2. a juvenile who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard who possesses or is armed with a handgun in the line of duty;
3. a transfer by inheritance of title (but not possession) of a handgun or ammunition to a juvenile; or
4. the possession of a handgun or ammunition by a juvenile taken in defense of the juvenile or other persons against an intruder into the residence of the juvenile or a residence in which the juvenile is an invited guest.

Therefore, juvenile possession of a handgun on the business premises of a licensee for examination or viewing purposes is prohibited pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(x) as it does not fall within one of the enumerated exceptions.
In every federal law I've ever read, juvenile is a person under the age of 21 years old.
 
I have posted this before in another thread


Juvenile possession of a handgun on the business premises of a licensee for examination or viewing purposes is prohibited pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(x). Under 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1), it is unlawful for a Federal firearms licensee to sell or deliver “any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than eighteen years of age, and, if the firearm or ammunition is other than a shotgun or rifle, or ammunition for a shotgun or rifle, to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than twenty-one years of age.”

Further, 18 U.S.C. 922(x) provides that it shall be unlawful for a person to sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer to a person who the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a juvenile - (a) a handgun; or (b) ammunition that is suitable for use only in a handgun. And, it shall be unlawful for any person who is a juvenile to knowingly possess the same. This subsection does not apply to--

A. a temporary transfer of a handgun or ammunition to a juvenile or to the possession or use of a handgun or ammunition by a juvenile if the handgun and ammunition are possessed and used by the juvenile--

i. in the course of employment, in the course of ranching or farming related to activities at the residence of the juvenile (or on property used for ranching or farming at which the juvenile, with the permission of the property owner or lessee, is performing activities related to the operation of the farm or ranch), target practice, hunting, or a course of instruction in the safe and lawful use of a handgun;

ii. with the prior written consent of the juvenile's parent or guardian who is not prohibited by Federal, State, or local law from possessing a firearm, except--

I. during transportation by the juvenile of an unloaded handgun in a locked container directly from the place of transfer to a place at which an activity described in clause (i) is to take place and transportation by the juvenile of that handgun, unloaded and in a locked container, directly from the place at which such an activity took place to the transferor; or

II. with respect to ranching or farming activities as described in clause (i), a juvenile may possess and use a handgun or ammunition with the prior written approval of the juvenile's parent or legal guardian and at the direction of an adult who is not prohibited by Federal, State or local law from possessing a firearm;

iii. the juvenile has the prior written consent in the juvenile's possession at all times when a handgun is in the possession of the juvenile;

iv. and in accordance with State and local law;

B. a juvenile who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard who possesses or is armed with a handgun in the line of duty;

C. a transfer by inheritance of title (but not possession) of a handgun or ammunition to a juvenile; or

D. the possession of a handgun or ammunition by a juvenile taken in defense of the juvenile or other persons against an intruder into the residence of the juvenile or a residence in which the juvenile is an invited guest.

Therefore, juvenile possession of a handgun on the business premises of a licensee for examination or viewing purposes is prohibited pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 922(x) as it does not fall within one of the enumerated exceptions.

http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/2008shotshowfaq.htm


Freakshow beat me by seconds
 
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