Age requirement to buy ammo?

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ThatGuyHank

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So I was browsing Gunbroker to buy some surplus 7.62x25 for a Yugo m57 that I have. Saw a good deal and as always I read that little blurb that all sellers have about legalities or them just ranting and I saw that it said "Must be 21 or older to purchase Handgun Ammunition" and not being 21 I was rather distraught. I went to another similar auction and it instead said "Must be 18 years or older to purchase ammunition".

So, I looked into it further and checked MidwayUSA and the requirement is to be 18 no matter the kind of ammo. AimSurplus requires you be 21 for all and Cabela's is 18 for rifle and shotgun ammo and 21 for handgun ammunition. This is all very confusing, I've never read anything about this being a law or is it just the dealer/sellers personal decision? And what if I have a pistol calibre rifle like the Kel-Tec sub2000 or a Thompson reproduction? I just wanted to make some of you aware and to hear your thoughts on the subject as I'm a bit unhappy that I can't snatch up certain ammo deals because of my age :(
 
I think the general rule is 18 for rifle/shotgun ammo, and 21 for handgun, but I could be wrong. I've been to big box retailers that have asked me if I was going to shoot .22LR through a rifle or handgun at the time of purchase.
 
It is what it is, I also get asked if I am going to be shooting .22lr out a pistol or a rifle, hand gun rounds like 9mm and the rest are 21 or over where I'm at. It sucks....
 
Federal regs are that one must be 18 to purchase rifle ammo and 21 to purchase handgun ammo. ANyone selling handgun ammo to someone below 21 is in violation of Federal law.
It's a gun law. It doesn't have to make sense.
 
Federal regs are that one must be 18 to purchase rifle ammo and 21 to purchase handgun ammo. ANyone selling handgun ammo to someone below 21 is in violation of Federal law.
It's a gun law. It doesn't have to make sense.
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it is also nothing new ... next we can have a wal-mart clerk thread followed by a 9/45 thread
 
next we can have a wal-mart clerk thread followed by a 9/45 thread
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Followed by a Bud's thread, a what to get the wife thread, and a what's the best ammo for a 642 thread.
 
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Eighteen for rifle or shotgun ammo, 21 for handgun. The problem here is that many cartridges are used in both, even the 7.62x39 mentioned. This online retailer has no way of knowing what it is going to be used in. It is a stupid, impractical and unworkable law, but laws, once entrenched - especially for over 40 years - are much harder to repeal than get enacted. At least since 1986 you don't have to register the sale.

Your best bet is to sweat out the next two or three years, turn 21, and then the age restriction is lifted. I know it seems to take forever to get up there, but believe me, it starts getting faster from then on. :D
 
Thats funny because I can remember buying ammo at like 12 with my lunch money that was all change.
I bought it from my Shop Teacher who was our NRA small Bore Rifle Coach.
and Ummmmmmmmmmm we shot it in the gym.
My how times have changed and I feel so much more safe and free.
 
Federal law: 18 for shotgun and rifle, and 21 for handgun. The standard Walmart question... rifle or handgun?

Never cared for this requirement, but it has been Federal law since 1968.
 
I agree that it is ridiculous in the extreme. Once you are old enough to be drafted and die for your country all other restrictions based on age should be null and void but that's just me. This is our government at it's worst but there is still no place I'd rather live than rite here. Just wait it out it'll be over before you know it.
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22-rimfire said:
Federal law: 18 for shotgun and rifle, and 21 for handgun. The standard Walmart question... rifle or handgun?

Never cared for this requirement, but it has been Federal law since 1968.
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Only for those with FFls. Non licensed dealers have no such restriction under Federal law. There may be State laws thay affect other dealers.
 
EOD Guy said:
Only for those with FFls. Non licensed dealers have no such restriction under Federal law. There may be State laws thay affect other dealers.
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Not exactly true. Non-licensed ammunition dealers and Joe Private Citizens are generally prohibited from selling ammunition suitable for use only in a handgun to those under 18 years of age by 18 USC 922 (x).

Ammunition dealers who also hold FFLs fall under 18 USC 922 (b)(1) which is 18 for ammo intended to be used in a rifle/shotgun and 21 for ammunition intended to be used in a handgun.

LOOPHOLE:
I don't know of any ammunition that is suitable for use only in a handgun.
 
And what if I have a pistol calibre rifle like the Kel-Tec sub2000 or a Thompson reproduction?
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You're pretty much SOL...

A buddy of mine went through that with his 1927 Thompson. I never got to see it, because he sold it (at a loss) due to being ticked off about not being able to buy ammo for it.

IIRC, he bought an AK variant and a couple cases of wolf with the money.

It's a gun law. It doesn't have to make sense.
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Yep.
"I'm sorry, we cant you sell you a box of ammo for the PCC you got last week, but we can sell you an AK and 2,000 rounds of ammo for it."
 
22-rimfire said:
Federal law: 18 for shotgun and rifle, and 21 for handgun. The standard Walmart question... rifle or handgun?
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Even Walmart can't keep their standard, standard.

My recent experience buying some 45Auto went like this


Clerk "It's gonna ask for your license here in a sec"
Me "Well what if I'm shooting it in a rifle?"
Clerk "They don't make a rifle in 45 Auto"
Me "Sure they do, it's called the Thompson Sub Machine Gun" (I know, a SMG, not "rifle", but at this point, it's moot)
Clerk Blank stare "You don't see those around here"



I really really wanted to push the subject and give the man a hard time and not produce my license, as he was called for me, and upon walking to the counter was grabbed by another customer of which he walked off and helped first instead of explaining that he was on his way to help me first. BUT, I was buying it for a handgun.

And, I'm 27, look 27, sound 27. The only place I ever get carded in Utah for beer or ammo, is Walmart... go figer.
 
NavyLCDR said:
Not exactly true. Non-licensed ammunition dealers and Joe Private Citizens are generally prohibited from selling ammunition suitable for use only in a handgun to those under 18 years of age by 18 USC 922 (x)
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That's true, 922(x) covers sales or transfers to juveniles (those persons under 18 years of age). I was referring to 922 (b)(1), which covers FFLs and sales of handgun ammunition to adults under 21 and I wasn't thinlking about sales to those under 18.
 
Walmart employees are instructed to card everyone to cover the company's butt. They don't always. In the case of tobacco and alcohol products, I believe they are supposed to card anyone they think may be under 40 years old.
 
It would be really easy for the internet ammo dealers who possess FFLs to comply with the statute, all they would have to do is have two checkboxes, one of which must be checked in order for the order to be completed:

I certify that the ammunition I am purchasing is to be used in a handgun and I am over 21 years of age.

I certify that the ammunition I am purchasing is to be used in a rifle or shotgun and I am over 18 years of age.

Problem solved, rather easily.
 
Walmart employees are instructed to card everyone to cover the company's butt. They don't always. In the case of tobacco and alcohol products, I believe they are supposed to card anyone they think may be under 40 years old.
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I'm 30. I never get carded.

:(
 
I think there should be a separate catagory for Wally World "Rants". I even got "Carded" when purchasing a box of 22LR's. The poor guy got confuzzeled when I asked if he ment my DL or Medicare card. :)
 
I always thought that 21 for handgun ammo was ridiculous.

Me: I'd like to buy a box of 9mm.

Store: Sorry your only 20 years of age, we cannot make a sale to you.

Me: Hmmm ok, then in that case I'll just take a box of .50 BMG. You know, the stuff that punches thru armor plated steel at 1000 yards...
 
If you really want to throw the average Walmart gun counter employee for a loop, when they ask "Is this for a rifle or pistol?". just look them in the eye and say "Machinegun".

Phaser is funny too.
 
I was in Sportsmans Warehouse this past week, buying some .38 Spl. ammo. When I got to the counter, the first question the "kid" asked me was, "Whats your date of birth?" I wondered what this was about, so I asked him, "Why do you need that info for?" He said, "Anyone who buys ammo needs to answer this question, or I can't make the sale." I gave him the info he needed, completed the transaction......... what really threw him was when I handed him the 39 cents in change, so I could get an even dollar back, he couldn't do it without calling the manager over and asking him how to figure this out! DUH ! By the way, I'm 62, with all of the silver hair, I surely don't look 17 anymore.
 
If you really want to throw the average Walmart gun counter employee for a loop, when they ask "Is this for a rifle or pistol?". just look them in the eye and say "Machinegun".
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I just shrug and point out the quantity ... when I'm buying 6 550 round bulk packs I really don't have a specific plan for every single round in the cart, I just want to get it home without ripping the bottom of the bag or my shoulder joint.

If that doesn't stop the silly questions, "tactical macaroni pictures" generally does the trick.
 
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