I was visiting my Uncle a few weeks ago and the topic came up of his .45 Pistol. He said, if it was legal, he would trade it to me for one of my rifles.

The only problem is I am only 20 y/o, and won't be 21 for almost another year.

So, I looked over Chapter 790 of the Florida Statutes and could find no references in relation to a Private transfer of a handgun to a person between 18 and 21. I know, no dealer can sell me one. But, that is a Federal Law. I can't get a CCW, but it would be nice to have a .45 in my collection. I know, in some states (Indiana) anybody over 18 can be given a Handgun by a family member. So, I don't see any Federal Legal issue.

But, on the off chance I may have missed something. Is there any obscure State or Federal Law prohibiting my Uncle from giving me his .45 Pistol ?

I don't know about FL gun laws,and I sure wouldn't want to anything illegal.But unless you tell everyone you meet or do something stupid with the pistol,WHO WOULD KNOW?

According to: "Florida Firearms" by Jon H. Gutmacher " Under Florida and Federal law, any citizen of the age of eighteen years, or more, who is not under some other legal disability, may [i]possess or own a hangun[/i], rifle or shotgun.(his italics)
In other words-- even if it would be illegal to purchase a handgun from a licenced firearms dealer because your not yet 21 -- it may still be legal for you to purchase, or recieve it privately -- as long as your at least 18 years of age, or older, and suffer no other legal disqualification."
This is the Florida firearms law "bible".. 1999 edition. check his website for updates
Cheers  BP
(edited to remove dead link)