Handgun Ownership in Virginia

Status
Not open for further replies.

CherenkovBlue

Member
Joined
Apr 16, 2007
Messages
41
Location
Virginia
i am 19 years old and live in virginia, i was recently given an opportunity to "acquire" an HK USP .45 from a co-worker. i know fedral law requires me to be 21 to purchase a handgun from an FFL, but, my co-worker insists that since hes not an FFL, and since i am over 18 years old, i can legally own and posses the handgun, i havent had time to question anyone else yet, but i figured i would see what yall have to say about it. would it be legal for me to own?
 
I know that a gun can be gifted to you at 18 years old... I am also fairly certain you can purchase a gun at 18 if its not a federal dealer.
 
my co-worker wants to sell it, i would love to buy it if its legal to do so

thank you all for your input, i really appreciate it.
 
Virginia state law (a minor, in this case, is <18 years of age):

§ 18.2-308.7. Possession or transportation of certain firearms by persons under the age of 18; penalty.

It shall be unlawful for any person under 18 years of age to knowingly and intentionally possess or transport a handgun or assault firearm anywhere in the Commonwealth. For the purposes of this section, "handgun" means any pistol or revolver or other firearm originally designed, made and intended to fire single or multiple projectiles by means of an explosion of a combustible material from one or more barrels when held in one hand and "assault firearm" means any (i) semi-automatic centerfire rifle or pistol which expels single or multiple projectiles by action of an explosion of a combustible material and is equipped at the time of the offense with a magazine which will hold more than 20 rounds of ammunition or designed by the manufacturer to accommodate a silencer or equipped with a folding stock or (ii) shotgun with a magazine which will hold more than seven rounds of the longest ammunition for which it is chambered. A violation of this section shall be a Class 1 misdemeanor.

This section shall not apply to:

1. Any person (i) while in his home or on his property; (ii) while in the home or on the property of his parent, grandparent, or legal guardian; or (iii) while on the property of another who has provided prior permission, and with the prior permission of his parent or legal guardian if the person has the landowner's written permission on his person while on such property;

2. Any person who, while accompanied by an adult, is at, or going to and from, a lawful shooting range or firearms educational class, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported;

3. Any person actually engaged in lawful hunting or going to and from a hunting area or preserve, provided that the weapons are unloaded while being transported; and

4. Any person while carrying out his duties in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard of this Commonwealth or any other state.





§ 18.2-309. Furnishing certain weapons to minors; penalty.

A. If any person sells, barters, gives or furnishes, or causes to be sold, bartered, given or furnished, to any minor a dirk, switchblade knife or bowie knife, having good cause to believe him to be a minor, such person shall be guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.

B. If any person sells, barters, gives or furnishes, or causes to be sold, bartered, given or furnished, to any minor a handgun, having good cause to believe him to be a minor, such person shall be guilty of a Class 6 felony. This subsection shall not apply to any transfer made between family members or for the purpose of engaging in a sporting event or activity.
 
Actually, it is exactly the same story. You can buy handgun ammo at 18 years old from a private party but must be 21 to buy it from a licensed dealer. Also, just like handguns, handgun ammunition may be given as a gift to an 18-21 year old. This is, of course, assuming state law allows it.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top