I'd google this but I figure that I'd have to read a bunch of legislative jargon and BS and still find no answer, so my question is simple. In Virginia the law is that you have to be 18 to buy a rifle or shotgun, 21 to purchase a pistol or revolver. As far as I know this is the same all over. Recently, however, I heard from a friend that while you have to be 21 to purchase a side-arm, you only have to be 19 to own one. It seems pretty stupid and wishful thinking, not to mention like a pointless work-around that makes the 21 age seem more like a simple log in the path instead of a brick wall, but is it true?
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Gun Law
- Thread starter TheNewbie
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Rubber_Duck
Member
Yes it is true, depending on the state. I can legally own a handgun (although I don't) myself here in New Mexico, but I can't buy one from a dealer for two more years.
Sunray
Member
Hi. You get to comply with State, Federal and sometimes municipal laws, Stateside. You can't own or transport a handgun in Virginia, at 18, unless it comes from a family member. This comes from the NRA's Virginia gun law site. It doesn't make much sense to me either. I read it as saying you can shoot with your da, but you can't have your own handgun under 18.
"It is a crime for any person to sell, give or otherwise
furnish a handgun to a minor if he has reason to believe
that the buyer or recipient is under 18 years of age, unless
such transfer is made between family members or for the
purpose of engaging in a sporting event or activity. A
person under 18 shall not possess or transport a handgun
or assault firearm."
http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/VASL.pdf
U.S. Federal law says you can't buy a handgun from an FFL holder/dealer until you're 21.
It's so much simpler up here. Incredibly stupid and far more expensive, but there's only one level of stupidity.
"It is a crime for any person to sell, give or otherwise
furnish a handgun to a minor if he has reason to believe
that the buyer or recipient is under 18 years of age, unless
such transfer is made between family members or for the
purpose of engaging in a sporting event or activity. A
person under 18 shall not possess or transport a handgun
or assault firearm."
http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/VASL.pdf
U.S. Federal law says you can't buy a handgun from an FFL holder/dealer until you're 21.
It's so much simpler up here. Incredibly stupid and far more expensive, but there's only one level of stupidity.
ditch_dgr
Member
Virginia Code 18.2-308.7 says:
18.2-308.7. Possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18; penalty.
It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly and intentionally possess or transport a handgun or assault firearm anywhere in the Commonwealth. For the purposes of this section, "handgun" means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand and "assault firearm" means any (i) semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (ii) shotgun with a magazine which will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.
This section shall not apply to:
1. Any person (i) while in his home or on his property; (ii) while in the home or on the property of his parent, grandparent, or legal guardian; or (iii) while on the property of another who has provided prior permission, and with the prior permission of his parent or legal guardian if the person has the landowner's written permission on his person while on such property;
2. Any person who, while accompanied by an adult, is at, or going to and from, a lawful shooting range or firearms educational class, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported;
3. Any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or going to and from a hunting area or preserve, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported; and
4. Any person while carrying out his duties in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of this Commonwealth or any other state.
The link is http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308.7
18.2-308.7. Possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18; penalty.
It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly and intentionally possess or transport a handgun or assault firearm anywhere in the Commonwealth. For the purposes of this section, "handgun" means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand and "assault firearm" means any (i) semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (ii) shotgun with a magazine which will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.
This section shall not apply to:
1. Any person (i) while in his home or on his property; (ii) while in the home or on the property of his parent, grandparent, or legal guardian; or (iii) while on the property of another who has provided prior permission, and with the prior permission of his parent or legal guardian if the person has the landowner's written permission on his person while on such property;
2. Any person who, while accompanied by an adult, is at, or going to and from, a lawful shooting range or firearms educational class, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported;
3. Any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or going to and from a hunting area or preserve, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported; and
4. Any person while carrying out his duties in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of this Commonwealth or any other state.
The link is http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?000+cod+18.2-308.7
NavyLCDR
member
You can't own or transport a handgun in Virginia, at 18, unless it comes from a family member.
That is not what it says. It says "UNDER THE AGE OF 18"
Persons ages 18 to 20 are legal for posession, receipt of a handgun as a gift from ANYBODY (legally able to possess a handgun), and purchase from private sellers according to state laws.
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