Handgun at 18?

[N3rday]

I know you have to be 21 to purchase a handgun from an FFL i.e. a gun shop or whatever, but I think I recall someone saying that it was legal for a non-FFL to sell you a handgun privately since, after all, it is legal to own (keyword, own) a handgun at age 18.

Is this true?

edit: Yes, I'm aware my parents could buy me one legally buy that probably won't happen.

 

[WhiteKnight]

AFAIK, at least here in NC it's illegal for any pistol transaction to take place without a "pistol permit" card switching hands. Private sales - same way.

I do believe a pistol can be given as a gift to an 18 year old, and I don't see why said 18 year old couldn't be so happy that he gives a monetary gift back to giver.

 

[wasrjoe]

I know you have to be 21 to purchase a handgun from an FFL i.e. a gun shop or whatever, but I think I recall someone saying that it was legal for a non-FFL to sell you a handgun privately since, after all, it is legal to own (keyword, own) a handgun at age 18.

It's what I've been told on here before.

 

[N3rday]

I'm in Texas, and there is no pistol permit card in this state to the best of my knowledge. Thanks for what you've given so far, but still need more details!

 

[jefnvk]

Well, I'm 18 and I got two. I got one as a gift, and bought another in a PPT. MI has the pistol permit cards.

I think the problem you'll run into is state laws.

 

[psyopspec]

Age 20 here. I've owned 4 guns since turning 18. Two were gifts, two were bought, legally, through private face to face sales.

Your suspicions are correct. You're good to go with a private sale, federal law wise. If you don't get the response you're looking for from a TX resident on this form, you may be able to ask a trusted gunshop owner (if you know any), or research the laws yourself.

http://www.packing.org

That site is a great place to start, and if they don't have the laws you're looking for, they will have links to your state laws specifically.