Store owner says it's prohibited.  Not store policy.  He said minors could handle long guns in the presents of a parent or guardian, but not hand guns.  Read the regs and couldn't finds a definitive answer.

Every state has different laws about minors and guns.
Check your Hometown Forum.

Unless state law explicitly forbids it, minors may use handguns under the supervision of a parent or guardian. With written permission, they can even carry and use handguns under certain circumstances - consult the ATF FAQ.

So unless there's a specific state law in MS forbidding it, owner is a bit of an idiot, but it's still his store, so his policy.

If hes wrong politely point it out once you get a state specific answer. He would sell more letting them handle it.

I actually competed in a IDPA type event at the age of 16 or 17. I wasn't even supervised or  accompanied by a parent for the entire time. I think the rules of the event technically required me to be supervised, but they got to know me after a while and ignored it. I carried a permission letter from my parents which was required by state law. I also open carried a pistol, in a public gravel pit, while target shooting. Later, as a 18-21 year old, I open carried a pistol a few times while hiking/camping alone and with friends.


Lots of strange half baked legal interpretations seem to float around the firearms community

ETA: All of this happened in WA during the early 2000's.

Some can handle them pretty well.



Jus' Sayin'

Thanks folks for the input.  The store owned (FFL business store front gun shop) was saying that it was a derivative interpretation of ATF Something about minor couldn't possess a hand gun, therefore, they couldn't handle them in the store.  Kind of like a prohibited person.

Your FFL needs to read 922(x).

His store his rules, but that does not mean it is a law.  I really wish some of these FFL holders would actually read when they get their license, I read and hear so much bullshit going around that is just not true..

his store, his rules. You can try explaining once or twice, but after that you are wasting your breath. Go find a better gunshop.