Allowed to buy a pistol at 18?

[LSchappell]

Hi, I am 18 years old and have started to get into steel shooting. I absolutely love it so far and wanted to buy a Ruger .22 lite. I've read that I CAN get a firearm through a private seller, but it needs to be through an FFL. If it needs to go through an FFL for the sale, will I not be allowed to buy it since I'm only 18? Thanks in advanced.

[knight0334]

For a FFL to transfer anything other than a rifle or a shotgun, you must be 21yo.

The only legal ways for you to receive a handgun are:
1. Given to you by a spouse, parent, or grandparent. (assuming you have no children that are 21yo)
2. Buy/given a gun by anyone else, but said transfer would have to go through a PA sheriff(no sheriffs are known to do it anymore)
3. Have someone die and will the gun to you, or be top dog in the line of succession.

[LSchappell]

Thank you for the info, I appreciate it!

[knight0334]

Thank you for the info, I appreciate it!

You're welcome.

Even though you're allow to owe/possess a "firearm"(handgun, SBS, SBR) in PA. You cant buy one or have one transferred through a FFL.


Your only other option is to make a handgun from scratch. ....from an 80%(or less) receiver and completely manufacture your own handgun. But then you'll be in the situation of not being able to buy ammo for it because you have to be 21yo to buy ammo for a handgun(even if you lawfully own the handgun).

[Fortytwo]

Build an AR pistol then. The clerk at Walmart's sporting goods counter doesn't usually ask if the .223 Rem/5.56mm NATO rounds you are buying "are those for a rifle or a hand gun?"

Besides, isn't it legal for an 18-year old to buy a stripped lower (not an 80% lower, but a 100% lower) from a private seller FTF without going through an FFL? I thought I read it on this forum some time ago. It would be quite a bit simpler than scratch building from an 80% receiver in that case.

[knight0334]

Build an AR pistol then. The clerk at Walmart's sporting goods counter doesn't usually ask if the .223 Rem/5.56mm NATO rounds you are buying "are those for a rifle or a hand gun?"

Besides, isn't it legal for an 18-year old to buy a stripped lower (not an 80% lower, but a 100% lower) from a private seller FTF without going through an FFL? I thought I read it on this forum some time ago. It would be quite a bit simpler than scratch building from an 80% receiver in that case.

Unfortunately, Walmart's policy is now to only sell ammo to 21yo regardless as to what it is for.


And yes, A private transfer of a bare/virgin receiver would be legal.

[gnbrotz]

But then you'll be in the situation of not being able to buy ammo for it because you have to be 21yo to buy ammo for a handgun(even if you lawfully own the handgun).

Does the law actually prohibit the purchase and/or possession, or just bind the seller (I'm looking, but haven't found a solid answer yet)?

Could a generous (older) soul legally *give* handgun ammo to someone under 21?

ETA - my research suggest the prohibition is for "licensed manufacturers or dealers" and prevent them (and only them) from "selling", so I could not only legally give ammo to a 20-year-old, I could intentionally purchase it with the intent to resell it to them, because I am not one of the entities to which the law applies.

I'd welcome a citation to correct me if I'm mistaken.

[knight0334]

Does the law actually prohibit the purchase and/or possession, or just bind the seller (I'm looking, but haven't found a solid answer yet)?

Could a generous (older) soul legally *give* handgun ammo to someone under 21?

ETA - my research suggest the prohibition is for "licensed manufacturers or dealers" and prevent them (and only them) from "selling", so I could not only legally give ammo to a 20-year-old, I could intentionally purchase it with the intent to resell it to them, because I am not one of the entities to which the law applies.

I'd welcome a citation to correct me if I'm mistaken.

Federal law prohibits the sale of ammo for handguns, and handguns, to folks under 21yo.
Federal law prohibits giving/selling/providing handguns to folks under 18 privately, with certain exceptions.

State law prohibits possession of a "firearm" under the age of 18", certain exceptions.
State law requires a proper transfer for "firearms" regardless of age, except certain relations, and except bequest/intestate succession.

I don't believe there is an issue with a person 21yo+ giving ammo to a person that is under 21yo. ....I think.

The way I got around it back when I was <21yo was that I bought reloading supplies and rolled my own. Or my dad/mom/uncles gave it to me. ...mostly loaded my own ammo back then. I was the legal owner of a Colt Python and a S&W 459 before I was 21yo. Jefferson Co sheriff transferred the Python from an Uncle to me. And I bought the S&W privately in Florida(no transfer required there, back then).

[MT1]

For a FFL to transfer anything other than a rifle or a shotgun, you must be 21yo.

The only legal ways for you to receive a handgun are:
1. Given to you by a spouse, parent, or grandparent. (assuming you have no children that are 21yo)
2. Buy/given a gun by anyone else, but said transfer would have to go through a PA sheriff(no sheriffs are known to do it anymore)
3. Have someone die and will the gun to you, or be top dog in the line of succession.

I though it had to be immediate family (parent or spouse). I didn't know grandparents were also allowed.

[knight0334]

I though it had to be immediate family (parent or spouse). I didn't know grandparents were also allowed.

PA's exemption is between spouses, parent/child, and grandparent/grandchild.