My friend's son is 16 years old. I have introduced him to shooting- we've gone to shoot trap several times, and we've gone target pistol shooting several times. His parents do not particularly like guns, but Tom likes shooting and wants to have his own gun. He would like his parents to buy a gun for him with his money- either a .22 cal rifle or a M1 Garand. They may be willing to do this for him. Then he would keep it at my house in my safe. I am happy to keep his gun, but am wondering about any ramifications- legal or otherwise. Do you see any problems with this arrangement? Thank you.
Need advice about young shooter
- Thread starter RM
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I know nothing of the laws in Maryland, so I cannot help you there. But all legal stuff aside, I sure wish someone had been willing to do something like that for me all those years ago.
If his folks have no problem with it, I would think you are OK to go ahead.
I do not think I would give him the combo to your safe, though.
If his folks have no problem with it, I would think you are OK to go ahead.
I do not think I would give him the combo to your safe, though.
SmershAgent
Member
Here's a quick overview of the laws in your state:
http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/StateLaws.aspx?ST=MD
It doesn't look like there's anything that would prohibit the arrangement you've described, especially since his parents would obviously have to consent to it.
http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws/StateLaws.aspx?ST=MD
It doesn't look like there's anything that would prohibit the arrangement you've described, especially since his parents would obviously have to consent to it.
P95Carry
Moderator Emeritus
If you are to be custodian for a while then perhaps useful to put it in your name ... even if paid for by others. It will be ''yours'' but available for use so to speak - under your tutilage. It can at a later date be legitimately ''gifted'' to his folks or him - with due regard for transfer requirements.
As long as you know for sure than there is no reason in a legal sense (per NICs check aspects) for this young man not to be able to shoot ... and obviously it seems you know his folks well... I can't see a major prob ... but that is just my thinking ... no legal expertize whatsoever.
As long as you know for sure than there is no reason in a legal sense (per NICs check aspects) for this young man not to be able to shoot ... and obviously it seems you know his folks well... I can't see a major prob ... but that is just my thinking ... no legal expertize whatsoever.
I would be careful
Seems that if it were bought by you to keep for the young man that it would fall into "strawman" category. Even though you might keep it for a while, your intent would have been to purchase it for another person.
Explore parents buying it themselves. You can probably keep it, (no advice intended), and allow young man to use it under supervision. Make sure of what you are doing by examining laws in your state, and scrupulously avoid even the appearance of a violation. You sure don't want to lose your own right to own firearms. An angry parent could endanger you if they so chose. Don't put yourself in the middle.
Seems that if it were bought by you to keep for the young man that it would fall into "strawman" category. Even though you might keep it for a while, your intent would have been to purchase it for another person.
Explore parents buying it themselves. You can probably keep it, (no advice intended), and allow young man to use it under supervision. Make sure of what you are doing by examining laws in your state, and scrupulously avoid even the appearance of a violation. You sure don't want to lose your own right to own firearms. An angry parent could endanger you if they so chose. Don't put yourself in the middle.
allanschisel
Member
The only part that bothers me is your statement "His parents do not particularly like guns, but Tom likes shooting and wants to have his own gun."
Like Gunpacker said, make his parents buy it and they can let you hold it for them. That way, there is no question of a straw purchase , the gun is on loan to you. If there is ever any kind of hassle among friends, they punish the boy and don't want him to shoot, whatever, you can just let the parents have the rifle back and get out of the situation. They can do with it as they please. This way, you will have no problems with the law or get mixed up in a family squabble.
Allan Schisel
Like Gunpacker said, make his parents buy it and they can let you hold it for them. That way, there is no question of a straw purchase , the gun is on loan to you. If there is ever any kind of hassle among friends, they punish the boy and don't want him to shoot, whatever, you can just let the parents have the rifle back and get out of the situation. They can do with it as they please. This way, you will have no problems with the law or get mixed up in a family squabble.
Allan Schisel
Preacherman
Member
Agreed on ownership - either you buy it, with your money, so that it belongs to you, or his parents buy it, and give you a letter authorizing you to keep their gun in your safe, and allowing you to give it to their son to shoot it (and absolving you of any liability if he does something stupid with it).
<Sigh>... Lawyers!
<Sigh>... Lawyers!
Standing Wolf
Member in memoriam
Within the often ludicrous confines of the law, I'd do my best to encourage the lad. It might be worth your while and his to invite his parents along on a trip to the range: you never know when the accuracy bug will bite.
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