clubsoda22
member
I am 18 years old and live in the Philadelphia area. I have read the full text of the PA firearms law and found that nothing prevents me from owning this shiny new Taurus 9mm or whatever other handgun I wish to obtain. Here's how I went about it getting it.
First off, all that you have to know is that Federal law does not prohibit anyone over 18 from owning a firearm. Contrary to popular belief, the Brady law does not have any restrictions on age, only GCA '68 does, and that age is 18.
Under PA state law, anyone over the age of 18 may possess (own) a handgun. However, PA state law also prohibits licensed dealers from selling a handgun to anyone under 21 years of age. You may be asking, "How the hell did you get around that!?!" This was actually very simple; I asked my dad to buy the handgun for me!
"But what about laws against straw purchases!?!" Well, they don't apply. PA state law says that when you transfer private party you must have a gun dealer do the transfer UNLESS the transfer is spouse-to-spouse, parent-to-child, or grandfather-to-grandchild.
"What about the Brady law?" The Brady law specifically says that buying a firearm as a gift (obviously to someone who may legally possess it) is not prohibited! It says it right there on that yellow form you fill out when you buy a handgun! Here's a link to one: http://www.titleii.com/pdf/4473.pdf (The yellow form). Look at "important notices" #1.
"But under PA state law you can't buy pistol ammo unless your 21! How about that mister smarty pants!" DUH! I have my dad or a friend by the ammo for me, silly! Getting ammo when you're under 21 is more legal than getting cigarettes when you're under 18! If you're a LICENCED dealer you can't sell pistol ammo to someone under 21, but someone under 21 can own it if it is given to them by an individual other than a licensed dealer, like Dad or your older buddy Tom! With cigarettes, Dad and Tom are committing a crime by supplying a minor (under 18) with cigarettes; by giving a non-minor (anyone over 18) ammo, they have done nothing wrong!
"Okay smartass, I'm a (cop/FFL dealer/Joe blow) and my (fellow officer/other dealer/buddy who's a lawyer of some sort) told me that you're wrong!" Well, I'm not gonna argue that, you acquaintance obviously hasn't done his research! Here are the complete PA firearm laws: http://members.aol.com/StatutesP7/18PA6110.1.html (federal laws can easily be found on google). Take it from someone who has read it, it's a good days read. Have fun! I dare you to find something that says I'm wrong.
First off, all that you have to know is that Federal law does not prohibit anyone over 18 from owning a firearm. Contrary to popular belief, the Brady law does not have any restrictions on age, only GCA '68 does, and that age is 18.
Under PA state law, anyone over the age of 18 may possess (own) a handgun. However, PA state law also prohibits licensed dealers from selling a handgun to anyone under 21 years of age. You may be asking, "How the hell did you get around that!?!" This was actually very simple; I asked my dad to buy the handgun for me!
"But what about laws against straw purchases!?!" Well, they don't apply. PA state law says that when you transfer private party you must have a gun dealer do the transfer UNLESS the transfer is spouse-to-spouse, parent-to-child, or grandfather-to-grandchild.
"What about the Brady law?" The Brady law specifically says that buying a firearm as a gift (obviously to someone who may legally possess it) is not prohibited! It says it right there on that yellow form you fill out when you buy a handgun! Here's a link to one: http://www.titleii.com/pdf/4473.pdf (The yellow form). Look at "important notices" #1.
"But under PA state law you can't buy pistol ammo unless your 21! How about that mister smarty pants!" DUH! I have my dad or a friend by the ammo for me, silly! Getting ammo when you're under 21 is more legal than getting cigarettes when you're under 18! If you're a LICENCED dealer you can't sell pistol ammo to someone under 21, but someone under 21 can own it if it is given to them by an individual other than a licensed dealer, like Dad or your older buddy Tom! With cigarettes, Dad and Tom are committing a crime by supplying a minor (under 18) with cigarettes; by giving a non-minor (anyone over 18) ammo, they have done nothing wrong!
"Okay smartass, I'm a (cop/FFL dealer/Joe blow) and my (fellow officer/other dealer/buddy who's a lawyer of some sort) told me that you're wrong!" Well, I'm not gonna argue that, you acquaintance obviously hasn't done his research! Here are the complete PA firearm laws: http://members.aol.com/StatutesP7/18PA6110.1.html (federal laws can easily be found on google). Take it from someone who has read it, it's a good days read. Have fun! I dare you to find something that says I'm wrong.