Age limitations on buying a handgun - 18 vs 21

[allingeneral]

Just a quick discussion topic specifically related to age requirements for purchasing a handgun in Virginia.

age 21 and over can buy a handgun with no restrictions (other than NICS/felonies/etc that everyone deals with)

age 18-20 cannot buy from an FFL, but they can buy from a private seller. All normal personal transaction restrictions apply, including residency requirement and "are you legally allowed to own this firearm" (no felonies, no misdemeanor domestic violence, no drug use, etc).

Regarding long guns - anyone over the age of 18 in Virginia can purchase a long gun from an FFL or from a personal seller.

[KaosDad]

Well, I look at it this way; at 18 you can join the military and be issued a side arm. Why can't you buy the same side arm? Kind of a double standard, or a great recruiting tactic.

[meak99]

Here is the code that prohibits age <18 from posessing or transporting a handung or long gun.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... 18.2-308.7

Is it federal code that prevents an FFL from selling a handgun to anyone under 21?

If so, then I agree with your interpretation, but as you know, IANAL... and I didn't even stay at the Holiday Inn Express last night.

[allingeneral]

Here is the code that prohibits age <18 from posessing or transporting a handung or long gun.

http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504 ... 18.2-308.7

Is it federal code that prevents an FFL from selling a handgun to anyone under 21?

If so, then I agree with your interpretation, but as you know, IANAL... and I didn't even stay at the Holiday Inn Express last night.

THE GUN CONTROL ACT OF 1968, PUBLIC LAW 90-618
TITLE 18, UNITED STATES CODE, CHAPTER 44
Section 922 (Unlawful acts) sub-paragraph (x)

Paraphrased...

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

[meak99]

Then I am having trouble finding the statute that prohibits an FFL from selling a handgun to 18-21 y/o in VA. I can only find what I've referenced, which says as long as you're 18, you can have a handgun or "assault firearm" ...

[SilentServiceVet]

Well, I look at it this way; at 18 you can join the military and be issued a side arm. Why can't you buy the same side arm? Kind of a double standard, or a great recruiting tactic.

My feelings exactly. May be a good recruiting tactic, but I was shooting rifles, pistols, and shotguns from age 9. If anything I was wishing I could fire guns more often after I joined the Navy.

I may get flak for it, but I think the same goes for alcohol. I'd argue that if you're old enough to die for your country, then you should be old enough to drink alcohol -- noting that alcohol is strictly verboten (as it should be) while in theater of operations in war zones. I'd rather, though, that alcohol only be served to those 18-21 who have made the exceptional commitment to serve the military. Have them show a military I.D. and a driver's license and let them purchase. Those who choose not to serve can wait until 21 as the "old enough to die for their country" argument doesn't apply.

[allingeneral]

Then I am having trouble finding the statute that prohibits an FFL from selling a handgun to 18-21 y/o in VA. I can only find what I've referenced, which says as long as you're 18, you can have a handgun or "assault firearm" ...

922 (b)

(b) It shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed 
manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to sell or 
deliver -
    (1) any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the licensee 
    knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than eighteen 
    years of age, and, if the firearm, or ammunition is other than a 
    shotgun or rifle, or ammunition for a shotgun or rifle, to any 
    individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause
    to believe is less than twenty-one years of age;

[allingeneral]

there's a link to the Gun Control Act of 1968 in the upper left menu of the site under "Legal Resources"

http://vagunforum.net/Gun_Control_Act_1968.pdf

[TheBigHeadGuy]

I bought my handgun last week in a private sale.

Im 19.

Im a armed and happy law abiding citizen.

[M1A4ME]

I sure wasn't happy when I found out I could not buy/carry a pistol even though I'd volunteered to join the US Army, been through basic and AIT and could be sent out to kill or be killed at any time.

I bought a Ruger Blackhawk off a buddy (also younger than 21) and my father-in-law talked me into letting him trade it on a Ruger single six for me. When I turned 21 I went out and bought my first 1911. A Colt made in 1917. The prettiest and best shooting 1911 I'd ever fired (the ones in the company armory were okay but they didn't shoot like mine did).

When my sons got big enough I bought a handgun "for them" that they could shoot when we went to the range. My oldest still has his Ruger Speed Six (stainless 4" barrel) and my youngest recently "traded" his Colt Series 70 to me for a Beretta 90-Two in .40 S&W (yes, I took advantage of his ongoing lapse in judgement).

[Kreutz]

As a medic in the Army I carried an M9 Beretta....when I had first gone to the range to qualify with it I was 18 at the time (due to enlisting at 17) and there was actual confusion as to whether or not I was allowed to fire it. Eventually the range officer got the Ok from someone with common sense and I was no longer sidelined. At the time it felt like an hour but it was probably closer to 20 minutes.

Sadly none of the above is made up or exaggerated. I actually lost some shooting time because of my age and the fact it was a pistol.

[Palladin]

Those yoofs, they're perfectly safe with a rifle or shotgun, but give them a pistol and who knows what they're gonna do!