Is there a minimum age for owning a pistol or rifle?

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[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is there a minimum age for owning a pistol or rifle?

Posted: 1/2/2006 1:38:31 PM EDT

Somewhere I thought I heard that you had to be 18 to buy a rifle or shotgun and 21 to buy a pistol/revolver? Is that true or did I make it up?

Posted: 1/2/2006 1:43:10 PM EDT

[#1]

(Note: IANAL, this is not considered legal advice, and I may be dead wrong)

To purchase from an FFL-licensed dealer, you're correct.

To own, federally it's 18 for any firearms (21 for NFA), except those given by family members, which I believe you can own however old you are, but they may have to remain the legal property of the adult until you're 18. It's also 18 to purchase any firearms (except NFA) privately.

State laws may differ.

Posted: 1/2/2006 1:43:29 PM EDT

[#2]

true, as long as you use an FFL (new gun). Private sale laws are set by state.

Posted: 1/2/2006 1:46:04 PM EDT

[#3]

Quoted:
true, as long as you use an FFL (new gun). Private sale laws are set by state.

So it could be possible for someone under the age of 18 to legally own a firearm?

Do you an example state where this is true?

I appreciate the help nand I'm not looking for legal advice. I just want to have to correct info before I go putting my foot in my mouth.

Posted: 1/2/2006 1:47:40 PM EDT

[#4]

Texas doesn't restrict private sales by age.

Posted: 1/2/2006 1:50:11 PM EDT

[#5]

Quoted:
Texas doesn't restrict private sales by age.

Correct. So long as you have mom or dad's permission, you can buy a gun from another private individual at any age or receive one as a gift. At 18, you are your own permission.

Posted: 1/2/2006 1:53:05 PM EDT

[#6]

There is no federal law to my knowledge that prohibits a minor from possessing or owning a long gun. In some states (example, AR) it is legal for a minor to posses a rifle. Many states including Florida make possession or ownership of a firearm under 18 illegal.

Posted: 1/2/2006 1:57:36 PM EDT

[#7]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Texas doesn't restrict private sales by age.

Correct. So long as you have mom or dad's permission, you can buy a gun from another private individual at any age or receive one as a gift. At 18, you are your own permission.

Just make sure to correct the gun to "long guns" because Federal law specifically prohibits minors under 18 from possessing a handgun.

Posted: 1/2/2006 2:00:41 PM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Texas doesn't restrict private sales by age.

Correct. So long as you have mom or dad's permission, you can buy a gun from another private individual at any age or receive one as a gift. At 18, you are your own permission.

Just make sure to correct the gun to "long guns" because Federal law specifically prohibits minors under 18 from possessing a handgun.

Show me.

Posted: 1/2/2006 2:09:02 PM EDT

[#9]

To a point you are correct but I should of said to own or purchase. a minor in some instances is allowed to posses a hangun with the parents written permission.

Here is the federal code. 18 U.S.C & 922(x)(1), (5)

(x)(1) It shall be unlawful for a person to sell, deliver, or
otherwise transfer to a person who the transferor knows or has
reasonable cause to believe is a juvenile -
(A) a handgun; or
(B) ammunition that is suitable for use only in a handgun.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person who is a juvenile to
knowingly possess -
(A) a handgun; or
(B) ammunition that is suitable for use only in a handgun.
(3) This subsection does not apply to -
(A) a temporary transfer of a handgun or ammunition to a
juvenile or to the possession or use of a handgun or ammunition
by a juvenile if the handgun and ammunition are possessed and
used by the juvenile -
(i) in the course of employment, in the course of ranching or
farming related to activities at the residence of the juvenile
(or on property used for ranching or farming at which the
juvenile, with the permission of the property owner or lessee,
is performing activities related to the operation of the farm
or ranch), target practice, hunting, or a course of instruction
in the safe and lawful use of a handgun;

Posted: 1/2/2006 2:10:38 PM EDT

[#10]

(ii) with the prior written consent of the juvenile's parent
or guardian who is not prohibited by Federal, State, or local
law from possessing a firearm, except -
(I) during transportation by the juvenile of an unloaded
handgun in a locked container directly from the place of
transfer to a place at which an activity described in clause
(i) is to take place and transportation by the juvenile of
that handgun, unloaded and in a locked container, directly
from the place at which such an activity took place to the
transferor; or
(II) with respect to ranching or farming activities as
described in clause (i), a juvenile may possess and use a
handgun or ammunition with the prior written approval of the
juvenile's parent or legal guardian and at the direction of
an adult who is not prohibited by Federal, State or local law
from possessing a firearm;
(iii) the juvenile has the prior written consent in the
juvenile's possession at all times when a handgun is in the
possession of the juvenile; and
(iv) in accordance with State and local law;
(B) a juvenile who is a member of the Armed Forces of the
United States or the National Guard who possesses or is armed
with a handgun in the line of duty;
(C) a transfer by inheritance of title (but not possession) of
a handgun or ammunition to a juvenile; or
(D) the possession of a handgun or ammunition by a juvenile
taken in defense of the juvenile or other persons against an
intruder into the residence of the juvenile or a residence in
which the juvenile is an invited guest.
(4) A handgun or ammunition, the possession of which is
transferred to a juvenile in circumstances in which the transferor
is not in violation of this subsection shall not be subject to
permanent confiscation by the Government if its possession by the
juvenile subsequently becomes unlawful because of the conduct of
the juvenile, but shall be returned to the lawful owner when such
handgun or ammunition is no longer required by the Government for
the purposes of investigation or prosecution.
(5) For purposes of this subsection, the term ''juvenile'' means
a person who is less than 18 years of age.
(6)(A) In a prosecution of a violation of this subsection, the
court shall require the presence of a juvenile defendant's parent
or legal guardian at all proceedings.
(B) The court may use the contempt power to enforce subparagraph
(A).
(C) The court may excuse attendance of a parent or legal guardian
of a juvenile defendant at a proceeding in a prosecution of a
violation of this subsection for good cause shown.
(y) Provisions Relating to Aliens Admitted Under Nonimmigrant
Visas. -

Posted: 1/2/2006 4:10:36 PM EDT

[#11]

In my state it can be owned by persons under 18 as long as it is given to them by their legal guardians as a gift.

Posted: 1/2/2006 4:11:46 PM EDT

[#12]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Texas doesn't restrict private sales by age.

Correct. So long as you have mom or dad's permission, you can buy a gun from another private individual at any age or receive one as a gift. At 18, you are your own permission.

Just make sure to correct the gun to "long guns" because Federal law specifically prohibits minors under 18 from possessing a handgun.

Not true at all.

Posted: 1/2/2006 4:15:53 PM EDT

[#13]

In Idaho you can privately buy a rifle at 16 without your parents consent, under 16 requires their written consent. Possesion of a handgun you must be 18 in Idaho, or have your parents written consent. Private purchase of a handgun is 18 in Idaho, as is CCW.

-Ben

Posted: 1/2/2006 4:48:05 PM EDT

[#14]

Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Texas doesn't restrict private sales by age.

Correct. So long as you have mom or dad's permission, you can buy a gun from another private individual at any age or receive one as a gift. At 18, you are your own permission.

Just make sure to correct the gun to "long guns" because Federal law specifically prohibits minors under 18 from possessing a handgun.

Not true at all.

Um, I just posted the federal code.

[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Is there a minimum age for owning a pistol or rifle?

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