Posted: 11/30/2006 6:53:03 PM EDT
| A friend of mine who is 19 asked me about the legality of his parents buying him a handgun. I am under the impression that its legal to own (or at least possess/use) a handgun if you are over 18, you only have to be 21 to purchase one. He has a rifle of his own already, but wants a handgun to take to the range as well. |
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From ATF FAQ: (B14) May a parent or guardian purchase firearms or ammunition as a gift for a juvenile (less than 18 years of age)? [Back] Yes. However, possession of handguns by juveniles (less than 18 years of age) is generally unlawful. Juveniles generally may only receive and possess handguns with the written permission of a parent or guardian for limited purposes, e.g., employment, ranching, farming, target practice or hunting. FWIW, IMO a <21 person should not take full possession of a handgun. His parents should keep it locked up where he cannot take possession without their consent. If he's going to take it to the range by himself, I would do what the AFT suggested- written permission stating that he'll be handing it back to the parents for safe keeping after the target practice. Bottom line, got to make every effort to make it appear that it's not a straw purchase. |
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Ohio Revised Code (2923.21) states "(A) No person shal do any of the following: ... furnish any handgun to a person who is under twenty-one years of age, except for lawful hunting, sporting, or educational purposes ... under the supervision or control of a responsible adult. (Emphasis added.) Similar paragraph regarding selling the handgun to someone under 21. -- Chuck |