Handgun Ownership Under 21

[Noseknot]

I'm 18 and a new gun owner. As of now I have a pretty basic collection. One AR, one 870, a few .22s, the works. However, the obvious hurdle to owning a handgun is the federal restriction on purchasing a handgun from a licensed firearms dealer when you're under the age of 21. Buying a handgun from a private seller, however, is totally legal.

 Sadly, that limits my options dramatically. I can't have a gun from a listing shipped to me since that would require an ffl transfer, so I am limited to sellers in my area. Even then, most of the listings I've seen in my area explicitly demand a HCP, which, being under 21, I can not obtain. 

 I'm aware for many people this is to protect themselves in the event the buyer is a criminal, but this comes off as really hostile to any 18-20 year olds who want to exercise their gun rights. If I can buy an AR easily I fail to see why it should be so difficult for me.

[DWARREN123]

Some laws are strange. You can buy a rifle or shotgun from a neighboring state but not handguns.

 

[DaveTN]

Some of us can’t sell to you because we hold a C&R.

[hipower]

2 hours ago, DaveTN said:

Some of us can’t sell to you because we hold a C&R.

Really? I wasn't aware of that, but I admit I know next to nothing of the whole C&R setup.

[DaveTN]

34 minutes ago, hipower said:

Really? I wasn't aware of that, but I admit I know next to nothing of the whole C&R setup.

18 U.S. Code § 922. Unlawful acts
(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;

[chances R]

1. A gift 

2. join military 

3.  Find a willing seller through your contacts

[tnhawk]

You can save your money and count the days until you're legal to purchase a handgun.  I remember a time when I could carry automatic weapons in uniform but I still can't buy them.

[hipower]

50 minutes ago, DaveTN said:

18 U.S. Code § 922. Unlawful acts
(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;

Thanks, DaveTN. That does it. I've got to read up on C&R though. Although what little I do know suggest that the firearms I purchase, or might purchase in the future are not of the category to make having a C&R license worthwhile to me.

[Alleycat72]

Before the NFA changes you could be in a trust that owned a machinegun. That gave an 18 year old the ability to use any NFA in the trust. I'm not sure if it has changed, but a handgun can be transferred in just like anything else. 

[DaveTN]

20 minutes ago, hipower said:

Thanks, DaveTN. That does it. I've got to read up on C&R though. Although what little I do know suggest that the firearms I purchase, or might purchase in the future are not of the category to make having a C&R license worthwhile to me.

You used to get an FFL discount with some online vendors, I don’t think many do that anymore. Or if you are buying old surplus stuff, it keeps you from going through an FFL. I haven’t used mine much over the years, but for $10 a year; I’ve kept it.

[Garufa]

40 minutes ago, hipower said:

Thanks, DaveTN. That does it. I've got to read up on C&R though. Although what little I do know suggest that the firearms I purchase, or might purchase in the future are not of the category to make having a C&R license worthwhile to me.

Anything made before 1970 is C&R. 

However putting that into practical use is another matter.