Can I Buy a Handgun?
Hi, I am 18 years old and living in the state of Maryland. I have a clean record and have never been arrested or convicted of a crime. I was wondering if I can buy a pistol/handgun legally. I heard there was background check and waiting period but then I also heard that you have to be 21 to buy a pistol. I thought the age to buy any gun in any state was 18, but Im not sure. Can someone please clear this up for me. -Thanks
0
-
FFL holders can sell neither handguns nor handgun ammunition to persons under the age of 21 by federal regulation. 0 -
Under fed law, it's 18 to OWN a handgun, but 21 to BUY a handgun from a dealer 
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Thanks guys for clearing that up. Looks like Im going to have to get a friend to buy it for me. -Thanks again 0 -
Don't suggest that you do that either as the Form 4473 has a section where the buyer certifies that they are purchasing the firearm for their own use.
If you only have time to do two things so-so, or one thing well ... do the one thing!0 -
As long as your friend dosn't mind spending time in prison. It's on the form that he will have to fill out and sign "are you purchasing this firearm for yourself _yes, _no. If he says no it's no sale, if he says yes (and is buying it for you) he'll be Bubba's wife for the next 5 years.
Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.0 -
Parent=yes
friend =NO
???0 -
It is annoying it should state it in the federal/state law under pistole purchasing permit restrictions.
However it doesnt....
But as others have said since you have to be 21 to buy ammunition, it dictates that somewhere in some legal ramble it does say you also have to be 21 to buy pistole's.
I am in the same fix as you, I will be 21 in august.
So it is however legal to own? Just not legal to buy? I own a few that I bought at a gun show with my dad a few months ago, private transfer no ffl's.0 -
Hercules331, While an 18 year old civilian you are prohibited from buying a handgun but you can enlist in the military and they will issue you a rifle, maybe even a pistol depending what branch and what your duties are. I will not try to understand nor explain it. 0 -
Chorkie, it doesn't matter who does the straw purchase (Parent or friend) it IS illegal. 0 -
Mooseyard, i am not lookin to start a argument, but under the law a family member can legally gift a handgun to someone, this information was given to me by the local district office of the ATF, 0 -
quote:Originally posted by Mooseyard
Chorkie, it doesn't matter who does the straw purchase (Parent or friend) it IS illegal.
In Indiana, persons at least 18 may own a handgun, get a permit to carry if they have a job such as security guard which requires it or a hunting and target permit [transport to field or range unloaded and locked up] but their parent must make the purchase.
Semper Fi
Remember Ruby Ridge.
Experience is the best teacher and usually charges accordingly.0 -
quote:Originally posted by Hercules331
Thanks guys for clearing that up. Looks like Im going to have to get a friend to buy it for me. -Thanks again
This is not a good thing. Prison is not a nice place for 18 year olds.[:0]
Boomer
"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as it is by the obstacles which one has overcome while trying to succeed"
. and the antithesis to this philosophy was uttered by Bill Clinton "I smoked it, but I didn't inhale."[V]
NRA Life Member0 -
Relax... a friend or family member can give you a gun... they can buy one with the intent of keeping it, then decide a month later to gift it to you. 0
Please sign in to leave a comment.
Comments
13 comments