August 2, 2012, 02:07 PM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 22, 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 248
|
Florida Handgun Law
(I really hope this is the right forum)
I was at a gun shop yesterday and some of the guys were talking about 18 year olds legally owning handguns on their own. I am 18 and would really like to own a handgun I did a little digging and could only find that an 18yo can own a handgun if it is purchased privately (non FFL dealer), inhierited, or given as a gift. Is this true?
__________________
'A Vote is like a Rifle; It's usefulness depends upon the character of the User.'-Theodore Roosevelt |
August 2, 2012, 02:31 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 20, 2007
Location: Rainbow City, Alabama
Posts: 7,167
|
Federal law restricts handgun and ammo sales to persons 21 and over only from a licensed dealer. Yes, you can legally purchase a handgun. However, you will not be able to walk into a store and purchase ammo for it until you are 21.
|
August 2, 2012, 02:42 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 22, 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 248
|
But there are rifles and carbines chambered for pistol calibers. Somewhere like Wal-Mart might not care and see it as 'Pistol ammo is for pistols', but Joe at the gun store doesn't know, and he probably doesn't care.
__________________
'A Vote is like a Rifle; It's usefulness depends upon the character of the User.'-Theodore Roosevelt |
August 2, 2012, 02:59 PM | #4 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 16, 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,497
|
Quote:
__________________
"The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott |
|
August 2, 2012, 03:07 PM | #5 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 22, 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 248
|
Quote:
I doubt they'd sell me a box of 9x19.
__________________
'A Vote is like a Rifle; It's usefulness depends upon the character of the User.'-Theodore Roosevelt |
|
August 2, 2012, 06:59 PM | #6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 15, 2007
Location: Outside KC, MO
Posts: 10,128
|
When I was over 18 and under 21 in Florida, I legally purchased a GP100 via private sale.
There is no form 4473 for ammo purchases, as far as I know. So, I am not sure if "straw purchases" would apply in that scenario, but I had friends or relatives who would acquire ammo for me, then, if I could not buy it myself. (Edit: I'm in my 40s now, and still think that status offenses are a load of crap. If an 18 year old is old enough to sign contracts, and be charged as an adult for breaking laws, then it seems weird to say "You are being charged as an adult for being a minor..." Then again, some states charge kids as young as 12 as adults, depending on the crimes charged. Ok, rant mode off.) |
August 2, 2012, 09:45 PM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: May 27, 2007
Location: Ninja Mall
Posts: 818
|
Yea, I believe Federal law prohibits the sale of pistol ammunition to persons under 21. Came across a Florida civil case today, where Walmart was proximately liable for the death of an individual, due to their illegal sale of pistol ammunition to a 19 year old.
__________________
E Pluribus Unum |
August 2, 2012, 09:51 PM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 15, 2007
Location: Outside KC, MO
Posts: 10,128
|
I'm pretty sure Federal law prohibits sale of ammo to persons under 21 by licensed FFL dealers.
That's not the same as making it illegal for adults under 21 to buy or own the ammo. |
August 3, 2012, 12:26 AM | #9 |
Senior Member
Join Date: March 24, 2011
Posts: 730
|
Federal Law does NOT make it illegal for an 18 year old to purchase ammo (or a firearm) The Federal Law makes it illegal for a federally licensed firearms DEALER (and FFL) to SELL pistol ammo to anyone under 21.
That said, you do NOT need an FFL to sell ammo...buy it online from someone that only deals in ammo, and not firearms. |
August 3, 2012, 12:46 AM | #10 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 21, 2010
Location: Central FL
Posts: 1,360
|
Yes, you can own a handgun but cannot buy it from an FFL directly, so it has to be via private sale or given to you. You also have to be 21 to buy ammo IIRC, but you can buy them online or at gunshows.
|
August 3, 2012, 07:48 AM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
From what I understand getting caught with ammo is where the problem starts. Whoever is asking will want to know how you came into possession of the ammo.
__________________
NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be. |
August 3, 2012, 08:14 AM | #12 | |
Staff
Join Date: September 27, 2008
Location: Foothills of the Appalachians
Posts: 13,057
|
Quote:
__________________
Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe |
|
August 3, 2012, 08:36 AM | #13 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
I am quoting this from Jon H. Gutmacher, Esq. book Florida Firearms Law, Use & Ownership.
Page 24, Quote:
__________________
NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be. |
|
August 3, 2012, 08:50 AM | #14 | ||
Staff
Join Date: September 25, 2008
Location: CONUS
Posts: 18,433
|
Quote:
How would this lead to questions if the kid should subsequently be observed in possession of 9mm ammo? |
||
August 3, 2012, 08:52 AM | #15 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 16, 2011
Location: Ohio
Posts: 1,497
|
Quote:
When I got the "pistol or rifle" question, I didn't answer - handed clerk my ID and said "whatever strikes my fancy." Strangely enough, he still pushed the question and there was a prompt on the screen that indicated he had to enter one or the other for the sale to go through. Never did answer, and no idea which he picked for me. Wasn't trying to be difficult, but as I am of age - I don't see what difference it makes what I use it for, to heck with their "recordkeeping" policies.
__________________
"The best diplomat I know is a fully charged phaser bank" - Montgomery Scott |
|
August 3, 2012, 11:41 AM | #16 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 20, 2007
Location: Rainbow City, Alabama
Posts: 7,167
|
Quote:
|
|
August 3, 2012, 05:10 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: June 22, 2012
Location: Florida
Posts: 248
|
Sheesh.
All I wanted was TT-33. So much trouble to get the ammo, that's,assuming I can find 7.62x25 Tokarev.
__________________
'A Vote is like a Rifle; It's usefulness depends upon the character of the User.'-Theodore Roosevelt |
August 3, 2012, 05:12 PM | #18 |
Staff
Join Date: March 11, 2006
Location: Upper US
Posts: 28,675
|
The key here is the local law. Fed law says mut be 21 to buy handgun (or handgun ammo) from an FFL dealer. Many (if not most) states allow for 18-20 yr olds to purchase ammo and sometimes even handguns from private sales/inheritance/gifts, etc.
This is, of course, providing all other local laws are complied with. If your state requires a permit or FOID to buy/posess, then you must have one, before you purchase/posess. A 19 year old seldom faces any kind of problem if he goes to the store and buys a box of 7mm Rem mag. He can also, legally buy a box of .357mag (for his Marlin carbine), priovided he states it is for a rifle, if asked. The key is the local laws, which variy widely. What is legal in Arizona is not automatically legal in New Jersey, for instance. Check your local laws, and act in accordance with them.
__________________
All else being equal (and it almost never is) bigger bullets tend to work better. |
August 3, 2012, 09:09 PM | #19 |
Staff
Join Date: September 27, 2008
Location: Foothills of the Appalachians
Posts: 13,057
|
Aguila has it right. Gun dealers used to fix folks under 21 with a steely gaze and say, "so what kind of RIFLE is this for? No, what kind of RIFLE? Could that be for a Camp carbine, perhaps?"
A couple of years ago, the ATF put out a memo telling us to stop doing that. As long as the buyer volunteers the information it's for a rifle, the sale is OK. At least, under federal law.
__________________
Sometimes it’s nice not to destroy the world for a change. --Randall Munroe |
August 4, 2012, 10:08 AM | #20 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: December 17, 2005
Location: Swamp dweller
Posts: 6,187
|
Quote:
Folks my opinion and I'm saying its not the law JUST MY OPINION, if law does not allow the purchase then the minor ( under 21 years old) could be is trouble for having the ammo and a handgun together. Is the forum getting to the point that if we are not totally correct in our statements and our view points are opposite of others we get this big whoopee-do about things? I'm sorry I even posted a response here.
__________________
NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be. |
|
August 5, 2012, 01:13 AM | #21 |
Junior member
Join Date: May 1, 2010
Posts: 5,797
|
Florida firearm law(s); resources....
I'm not fully aware of the sunshine state's laws or requirements, but for full details, I'd check these websites;
www.Mylicensesite.com www.nra.org www.handgunlaw.us www.myflorida.com www.myfloridalegal.com . The state Div of Licensing handles all W/concealed licenses & G/firearms-security industry issues. Clyde |
August 5, 2012, 03:43 AM | #22 |
Senior Member
Join Date: November 15, 2007
Location: Outside KC, MO
Posts: 10,128
|
Don P, try not to take things personally. (I know, the pot calls the kettle black...)
I think you are wrong, in this case, but I don't think you are malicious or stupid. I think your intentions are good. I doubt others meant anything ill toward you, either. Regards, M |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|