AR-15 Rifle good idea for a minor?

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TheGewehrGuy

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I am building an AR-15 carbine for coyote hunting from scratch, and I was wondering what you believe about a minor (16) doing this. Whether you say yes, or no, I am still buying one, but I just wanted to hear what you think.

I am buying it because I am not sure if I will have the chance in the future to buy one.

I am 16, in college, high school, and I have a job, and I am considering becoming a cop, so I am pretty sure maturity is not an issue with me although it usually is with kids my age.

Do you think its a good idea for a mature minor to keep a rifle in his grandfather's safe for occasional coyote hunting/ target shooting?

What do you think about minors and guns in general?
 
Sounds like a good Father/Son or Big/Little Brother project to me....


If you can afford it and are as responsible with it as you would be a shotgun or bolt action rifle I say go for it. I see zero difference between it and any other gun.


I would love to have a young son/nephew etc to build one with.
 
Age very often indicates immaturity (Im 15 and more than half the kids in my school should never be allowed to touch a gun) but it doesn't sound like an issue for you. Remember safety first and if I were you I would not tell/show anyone in school. Sounds like a great idea, have fun.
 
Gonna move this to rifles, there really isn't a Legal issue with this since the OP says he's going to do it regardless of what anyone says but, might still be a good idea to check into your local state laws, there's a chance you are not old enough to legally have it yet.

Wouldn't want to ruin a career in LE over something like that.
 
You sound mature for 16, but I have to agree with TX... In most states I know of, it is illegal for a minor to own a a firearm. Given that the rifle would be "yours" in deed if not in fact, I'm not sure if your parents/grandparents purchasing this would also count as a straw purchase?? -I seem to remember a recent thread concerning this subject-.

I think your parents/relative over 18 would have to purchase and retain possession of the gun. Once you turn 18 they could gift/sell it to you.
 
At 16, you can't technically own a rifle. I built an AR for my daughter when she was only 9. It's a dedicated .22LR upper on a Spikes Tactical lower. She's now 11 and shoots VERY well. When she's older, and ready to shoot high power, or 3 gun, whichever discipline she gravitates to, then we will build another appropriate upper.

Technically, it's mine until she reaches the age of majority. At that time, it becomes hers.

Point being, if your father/mother will buy the lower for you with the understanding you have 2 years left before it can be yours, the project sound like a fun one.

PS: Pictures or it didn't happen: My Daughter's PINK AR.

picture.php
 
I am building an AR-15 for my son (13) for 3 gun competition. He currently competes with an M&P 9mm in USPSA. I trust him more than most adults because of his training. Shooting matches trains safety and weapon handliong first.
 
i think there may be some misinfo in this thread. in TN, minors can own long guns, no problem.
 
i think there may be some misinfo in this thread. in TN, minors can own long guns, no problem.
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Yeah it varies wildly from state to state and even circumstance to circumstance. TX for example you can't have a rifle at a certain age unless you are involved in an "agricultural activity" then it's fine. Stop participating in that activity (family farm was the original reason) and you become an ineligible person again.
 
A troll perhaps? The OP just joined THR and is "in college, high school"? That sounds odd.

I think the correct answer is that it may well be unlawful in many jurisdictions for a 16-year-old to own/purchase/build a rifle, regardless of whether it's an AR15.
 
in college, high school"? That sounds odd.
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Not odd at all. My best friend in high school is way smarter than any 10 people I know and was taking college course while still in high school. If this young man is as mature as he appears to be I would have no issue with his owning a firearm, as long as it is legal in his area. And nothing says he can't shoot his Grandfather's AR. As Justin said, safety and training are more important than age. I know far too many "adults" that should never be in the same room as a firearm let alone own and use one.
 
taliv said:
i think there may be some misinfo in this thread. in TN, minors can own long guns, no problem.
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Very good point. The FEDERAL law prohibits sales of firearms by an FFL to persons less than 18 years of age. 21 years of age for a handgun. State laws do vary for person to person sales.

In OHIO, the law is pretty clear: No sales of firearms to persons less than 18 years of age. No sales of handguns to persons less than 21 years of age.
 
in college, high school"? That sounds odd.
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My 15 year old is taking classes at his high school that give college credit for some of the basics. I think it's getting pretty common.

When he graduates at 18 he will have 15-18 hours credit, so not odd at all really.
 
I don’t have any problem with it. I was younger than you when I won a 30-06 and O/U shotgun from a public school/FFA sponsored cheese and sausage sale. My Grandmother did have to come to school and sign for the guns though.

Ahh…it was a bit different back then.
 
First, the posts on legality are unfounded. This kid already indicated it would be in his grandfather's gun safe. That leads me to believe that either his grandfather or parents would actually purchase the gun. None of you had guns when you were kids? Come on. When I was a kid I had several guns (starting at 8 with my first .22, added a .410, another .22, .357, kept going...like MOST of us here.)

As for the college/HS thing, doesn't sound like a troll to me. When I was in HS, I commuted to a community college 2 days a week. So did 3 other kids in my class.

To the OP, I support it full on. My only words of advice would be to make sure you follow through on gun safety and don't take other kids your age out shooting. You may be very mature, but many kids your age are not. Furthermore, they may not have any experience with guns and you don't want to learn a lesson in gun safety the hard way. Best to have adults present when teaching/learning gun safety. Get an AR, use it for hunting, don't forget you're not a ninja.
 
My 15 year old is taking classes at his high school that give college credit for some of the basics. I think it's getting pretty common.

When he graduates at 18 he will have 15-18 hours credit, so not odd at all really.
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This, I did the same. You can be in high school while taking college level classes.

Age isn't an issue.

Training is.
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Agree with this 100%

I also agree you should have someone help/mentor you with this project
 
Why would you want to give a 16 year an AR-15? IMO get him a nice .22 that he can shoot under supervision. Not sure why a 16 year old needs a tactical assault rifle. Not saying he'll do anything dumb with it, but just think it's overkill for a kid that age.
 
Not sure why a 16 year old needs a tactical assault rifle.
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An AR15 isn't a tactical assault rifle. It's one of the biggest selling plinkers and hunting rifles in the US today.

Why is a .223 overkill? That has long been considered a "starter" rifle caliber for hunting varmints and even smallish deer.

Don't fall into the trap of identifying the usefulness of a firearm by what it looks like.
 
TexasRifleman said:
An AR15 isn't a tactical assault rifle. It's one of the biggest selling plinkers and hunting rifles in the US today.

Why is a .223 overkill? That has long been considered a "starter" rifle caliber for hunting varmints and even smallish deer.

Don't fall into the trap of identifying the usefulness of a firearm by what it looks like.
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An AR-15 IS considered an assault rifle. And I'm not questioning the caliber, but rather the need for a minor at age 16 to have a semi-auto "assault rifle" that outside of CA and other liberal states have 30 round clips. Who hunts with semi-auto rifles? For you to legally hunt with a AR-15, you need a 5 round clip.

I'm as big of a gun lover as the next guy, but in my opinion (which I'm entitled to), I don't think an AR is the right rifle for a 16 year old.
 
@rjrivero
A Pink AR. That is simply awesome. You've given my to-do list a new bullet when I get kids of age. :D
 
An AR-15 IS considered an assault rifle.
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Wrong.

The AR platform is a semi-automatic rifle. Plain and simple.

Assault rifles are defined as select fire.

And I'm not questioning the caliber, but rather the need for a minor at age 16 to have a semi-auto "assault rifle" that outside of CA and other liberal states have 30 round clips. Who hunts with semi-auto rifles? For you to legally hunt with a AR-15, you need a 5 round clip.
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Need?
Lots of people hunt with AR's.

I'm as big of a gun lover as the next guy
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It doesn't appear that way.
 
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