For people under 21 wanting to buy a handgun.

[Drakkule]

I was offered a trade for one of my pistols from someone that was under 21 so i checked online to see what everybody thought. Well most say that if it is a private sale/trade it is fine. I wasn't sure so i called the BATFE to make sure and here is what i was told. "It is against federal law for someone under the age of 21 to obtain a handgun, it can be given, but not traded for or bought." I just thought i would pass along what i was told today, i was also told that you can own a handgun if you are under 21 as long as it was a gift. Mods, if this is in the wrong place, please feel free to move it.

 

[JetGirl]

I was offered a trade for one of my pistols from someone that was under 21 so i checked online to see what everybody thought. Well most say that if it is a private sale/trade it is fine. I wasn't sure so i called the BATFE to make sure and here is what i was told. "It is against federal law for someone under the age of 21 to obtain a handgun, it can be given, but not traded for or bought." I just thought i would pass along what i was told today, i was also told that you can own a handgun if you are under 21 as long as it was a gift. Mods, if this is in the wrong place, please feel free to move it.

State and Fed conflict (that's why the age to be able to get a license is 18).
You can, in fact, purchase privately at 18.

 

[Bunnykid68]

State and Fed conflict (that's why the age to be able to get a license is 18).
You can, in fact, purchase privately at 18.

What she said

 

[45calibre]

i think that person was talking about buying from an ffl

 

[Drakkule]

State and Fed conflict (that's why the age to be able to get a license is 18).
You can, in fact, purchase privately at 18.

New development, the ATF just left my house, they arrived right after i posted this. I was just told again that you must be 21 to buy or trade for a handgun, you can own one, but you can not obtain a handgun on your own private or through a FFL, it is a violation of federal law. Now if you will excuse me, i need to change my shorts.

 

[mjrducky]

New development, the ATF just left my house,

Would like to hear more on how that went exactly....

 

[Drakkule]

Would like to hear more on how that went exactly....

Very nice agents, they answered a lot of questions i had. They just wanted to know why i have bought so many handguns this year, mainly having 23 pistols called in at one time throws up a red flag. That purchase plus all the others required a visit.

 

[ralphb72]

That was quick, they must have been watching your posts!

 

[Bunnykid68]

I know several people that have violated that law and purchased handguns then

 

[ralphb72]

Sounds like you need some of us to visit too to try out all those new handguns!

 

[Bunnykid68]

New development, the ATF just left my house, they arrived right after i posted this. I was just told again that you must be 21 to buy or trade for a handgun, you can own one, but you can not obtain a handgun on your own private or through a FFL, it is a violation of federal law. Now if you will excuse me, i need to change my shorts.

Did they tell you which law or did they do like some LEO do when they say conceal carry is the only way you can carry it. I cannot find anything so far that says an 18 year old cannot purchase from an individual, only from an FFL

 

[kludge]

Drakkule, I would like to see the "law" they are referencing. Did they happen to tell you?

It is illegal for an FFL to sell a handgun to anyone under 21. Or a long gun to anyone under 18.

AFAIK, the Federal law is silent on private sales (to a non-prohibited adult person). There are Indiana laws that deal with children (under 18).

I would love for someone to post up if they know any different.

 

[dbd870]

Drakkule, I would like to see the "law" they are referencing. Did they happen to tell you?

It is illegal for an FFL to sell a handgun to anyone under 21. Or a long gun to anyone under 18.

Yep, I would ask them to cite the code.

 

[jbombelli]

I would have told them not to worry - I'm not looking to cut them out of their Mexican or Honduran Cartel business.

 

[MrSmitty]

Very nice agents, they answered a lot of questions i had. They just wanted to know why i have bought so many handguns this year, mainly having 23 pistols called in at one time throws up a red flag. That purchase plus all the others required a visit.

Do you happen to live near Mexico, and were they Draco's?, and did the Batfe let you buy the guns, but tell you sell to Mexican Druglords...who must have no other means to purchase guns than through America?

 

[Scutter01]

From the ATF's own website (yes, they have a FAQ, and yes, I has read it. )

(Note, a "licensee" is an FFL in this context.)

Q: Does a customer have to be a certain age to buy firearms or ammunition from a licensee? Yes. Under the GCA, long guns and long gun ammunition may be sold only to persons 18 years of age or older. Sales of handguns and ammunition for handguns are limited to persons 21 years of age and older. Although some State and local ordinances have lower age requirements, dealers are bound by the minimum age requirements established by the GCA. If State law or local ordinances establish a higher minimum age, the dealer must observe the higher age requirement.
[18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1), 27 CFR 478.99(b)]

Q: To whom may an unlicensed person transfer firearms under the GCA? A person may sell a firearm to an unlicensed resident of his State, if he does not know or have reasonable cause to believe the person is prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under Federal law. A person may loan or rent a firearm to a resident of any State for temporary use for lawful sporting purposes, if he does not know or have reasonable cause to believe the person is prohibited from receiving or possessing firearms under Federal law. A person may sell or transfer a firearm to a licensee in any State. However, a firearm other than a curio or relic may not be transferred interstate to a licensed collector.
[18 U.S.C. 922(a)(3) and (5), 922(d), 27 CFR 478.29 and 478.30]

 

[Stschil]

New development, the ATF just left my house, they arrived right after i posted this. I was just told again that you must be 21 to buy or trade for a handgun, you can own one, but you can not obtain a handgun on your own private or through a FFL, it is a violation of federal law. Now if you will excuse me, i need to change my shorts.

Did they bring your "Mexican Vacation" travel itinerary with them or do you have to arrange that personally for "deniability"?

 

[Drakkule]

I can't find it either, but i won't be taking any chances. I have 4 NFA items in process so i won't be taking any chances. All i know is 2 phone calls, and a personal visit all said the same thing, they could be wrong, but i will not be finding out.

No i don't live near Mexico, N.E. corner of Indiana for me.

 

[ATM]

They were absolutely wrong and would be unable to back up their incorrect opinions with law.

U.S. Code TITLE 18 > PART I > CHAPTER 44 > § 922 (x) governs the lower age limit.

(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.

The term juvenile is defined in (x)(5):

(5) For purposes of this subsection, the term “juvenile” means a person who is less than 18 years of age.

 

[Drakkule]

Thank you for clearing it up. I will still only deal with people over 21, just to avoid any problems, or misunderstandings.