Memphis gun show question

[TBjosh]

I am new to a lot of this so I do apologize, I am under 21 (above 18, with a ECL) and curious if I am allowed to / able to purchase a handgun from the Memphis gun show through a private sale, I will be moving to a new city and living in an apartment with me and one other, and would like to have a weapon for self defense.

[Grayfox54]

I may be wrong but, Its my understanding that you may own a handgun at 18, however you can not legally buy one. Frankly, most private sellers at a gun show will be cautious about selling to a young person. I seriously doubt you will find one who will sell to someone under 21. 

If you want something for home defense, consider a shotgun which you can legally buy. 

[chances R]

Private sale to 18-20 yo legal.  FFL =no sale/ illegal.

[gregintenn]

On 4/17/2025 at 6:41 PM, chances R said:

Private sale to 18-20 yo legal.  FFL =no sale/ illegal.

Defies logic, but this is the current law.

[monkeylizard]

The above is correct. Private sales can occur between 2 residents of the same state as long as the buyer is 18+ for handguns. There is no age requirement for private sale of long guns. FFL sales are 21+ for handguns and 18+ for long guns.

Reminder: Private sales MUST go through an FFL unless both buyer and seller are residents of the same state. NO INTERSTATE TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP ON PRIVATE SALES IS ALLOWED W/O USING AN FFL IN THE BUYER'S STATE.

I mention that because you're close to both Arkansas and Mississippi and no telling who you might have show up wanting to sell in Tennessee.

Straight from the ATF:
Age -  https://www.atf.gov/resource-center/infographics/minimum-age-gun-sales-and-transfers
Transfer -  https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/whom-may-unlicensed-person-transfer-firearms-under-gca


 

Edited yesterday at 04:16 PM by monkeylizard