16 year old wants to buy rifle through parent: is that legal??

[shootit]

After placing a "for sale" ad on another site, I have a buyer for a rifle (PA resident also). However, the buyer is only 16 years old and has stated that his mother will buy the rifle from me (and subsequently give it to him). Can I legally sell the rifle to her knowing that it will be given to a person under 18? Is this different from a straw-man purchase? Thanks for any help. PS: this is a private/non dealer sale.

[Zef_66]

I would say no.

If you know before the sale that the rifle you are selling will end up in the hands of someone that is not legally allowded to purchase the rifle, then I would consider it a straw purchase.

Now, it is totally different if you had no prior knowledge that she was going to gift the rifle to her son. If you didn't know anything, then it would be fine. But I don't trust people I don't know, and especially have never met.

Things like this remind me of the "To Catch a Predator" on NBC where the guys are setup online with underage kids. Wouldn't put it past police to do the same thing with firearms online.

But regardless, I would consider this a straw purchase and therefore I wouldn't touch it. Best thing to do is to find the exact statute that forbids straw purchases and respond saying you won't do the sale because it is against the law.

[chesire17201]

IANAL:

BUT.....if he is her son, then she IS allowed to give him the rifle, but cannot buy it with HIS money, read the law, parents can give their children firearms.

[Zef_66]

IANAL:

BUT.....if he is her son, then she IS allowed to give him the rifle, but cannot buy it with HIS money, read the law, parents can give their children firearms.

Yes, this is true. As I stated. But, if he has knowledge that the purchase of the rifle is going to go to someone that is not legally allowded to purchase that rifle his/herself, this it is a straw purchase.

[Steve in PA]

Yes, its legal.

Its just like going down to the gun store and buying little Johnny Jr his first deer rifle.

[Zef_66]

Yes, its legal.

Its just like going down to the gun store and buying little Johnny Jr his first deer rifle.

But as you put it "buying little Johnny his first deer rifle" would imply that you (a parent) are buying the rifle for him. In this case, it has already been said that the youth would be paying for the rifle, but the mother would be signing for it...

Still doesn't seem legit to me and I wouldn't do it. But may be just me...

[markheck1]

Try that at walmart....wasn't there a thread on them refusing to do this?

[jsb889]

Try that at walmart....wasn't there a thread on them refusing to do this?

Highly doubt the kid behind the gun counter, or even the manager, would know the exact law. Probably following the better safe than sorry idea, if anything. Don't count on em to know the laws aside from 18 to buy rifle, 21 handgun.

[D-FENS]

While buying a gun for another person is unlawful. Technically, buying it for your son (under 18 and residing with you) would still be your own possession, right?

/It's pretty fucked up when people are this worried about selling a long arm to another citizen.
//THey've already won

[PisnNapalm]

It's legal. Whether or not you're comfortable with it is a different thing. You're within your rights not to sell. She will simply purchase one elsewhere.