Looking to Buy a Handgun But I’m 19

[Justinww11]

Hey guys I have a question relating to the legality of me owning a handgun at 19. I know this is a common topic but I haven’t really found part of the answer I’m looking for.

I want to buy a handgun here soon to practice with that I will eventually end up CC’ing when I turn 21. The only way I know to buy a handgun at my age is at a gun show. I know it is technically legal for me to do so but if I do end up buying one, can I get in trouble with the law for having it? Either in my truck while going to my farm or in other instances.

It just seems almost black market to “under cut” federal law in this way even though the gun show method is well known.

Also I am from KY

 

[Jeff H]

Only way I know for someone under 21 to own a handgun is for it to be gifted to you. You can not buy one. At a gun show or from a gun dealer legally.

 

[Justinww11]

Only way I know for someone under 21 to own a handgun is for it to be gifted to you. You can not buy one. At a gun show or from a gun dealer legally.

I thought it was illegal for say my dad to buy it for me

 

[GRIZ22]

You can't buy a handgun from a FFL until 21. A few states allow someone to buy a handgun at 18. That would have to be a private sale. Having anyone purchase one from a FFL for you would be a straw purchase.

While some states will allow you to buy a handgun via a private sale fewer will allow you to carry it around in your vehicle. You would have to research firearms transport laws in your state.

 

[entropy]

I thought it was illegal for say my dad to buy it for me

That would be him gifting it to you.That is legal. Pick the gun beforehand, and have him go to buy it alone. That removes all illusion of impropriety. The gun is his legally until you turn 21.

 

[Justinww11]

You can't buy a handgun from a FFL until 21. A few states allow someone to buy a handgun at 18. That would have to be a private sale. Having anyone purchase one from a FFL for you would be a straw purchase.

While some states will allow you to buy a handgun via a private sale fewer will allow you to carry it around in your vehicle. You would have to research firearms transport laws in your state.

So I could find an individual that is selling one and purchase it legally? Also not talking about carrying it all the time in my truck just when I’m going to the farm to shoot.

 

[Justinww11]

That would be him gifting it to you.That is legal. Pick the gun beforehand, and have him go to buy it alone. That removes all illusion of impropriety. The gun is his legally until you turn 21.

So could I pay him for it when I turn 21?

 

[GRIZ22]

So I could find an individual that is selling one and purchase it legally? Also not talking about carrying it all the time in my truck just when I’m going to the farm to shoot.

All of that depends on which state you live in.

 

[entropy]

So could I pay him for it when I turn 21?

You could do so at 21, correct. Be sure to study the laws of your State concerning transport of pistols.

 

[Sistema1927]

Check the laws of your state, and get proper legal advice rather than depend upon anonymous internet strangers.

Getting it wrong, and obtaining a felony, will haunt you the rest of your young life.

 

[Justinww11]

You could do so at 21, correct. Be sure to study the laws of your State concerning transport of pistols.

Only thing I could find within Ky law is that you have to have a License to CC. Otherwise it’s fair game if you are 18. This is just what I read. Not sure how accurate.

 

[GRIZ22]

That would be him gifting it to you.That is legal. Pick the gun beforehand, and have him go to buy it alone. That removes all illusion of impropriety. The gun is his legally until you turn 21.

All of that depends on what state he lives in.

If you gift something it is no longer yours. It becomes the property of who you gift it to.

Possession of a handgun and what age that can be done at is also a state issue.

Without knowing what state he lives in makes it impossible to give definitive answers.

 

[Justinww11]

All of that depends on what state he lives in.

If you gift something it is no longer yours. It becomes the property of who you gift it to.

Possession of a handgun and what age that can be done at is also a state issue.

Without knowing what state he lives in makes it impossible to give definitive answers.

I’m from KY

 

[Jeff H]

Read up: Handgunlaw.us

 

[Justinww11]

Seems like the safest bet is to just have my dad purchase it. In the end it wouldn’t make much of a difference it seems like

 

[GRIZ22]

I’m from KY

Seems like the safest bet is to just have my dad purchase it. In the end it wouldn’t make much of a difference it seems like

I know very little about gun laws in KY. They seem to leave too many things to interpretation from what I've read.

Okay, if you feel you're mature enough to have and/or carry a handgun you're mature enough to research what the law says in KY. If you can't understand it then you need to buy some time from an attorney.

"It wouldn't make much difference it seems like" will be no consolation if your decisions wind up with you and your dad as cellmates.

 

[Justinww11]

I know very little about gun laws in KY. They seem to leave too many things to interpretation from what I've read.

Okay, if you feel you're mature enough to have and/or carry a handgun you're mature enough to research what the law says in KY. If you can't understand it then you need to buy some time from an attorney.

"It wouldn't make much difference it seems like" will be no consolation if your decisions wind up with you and your dad as cellmates.

What I was meaning by that last statement was that whether he owned it or I somehow was able to buy it I would still be able to shoot it on my farm when i wanted to. Who possesses it doesn’t matter much to me now being that I cannot concealed carry at my age anyhow. Would just like to practice with it for when that time comes!

 

[edwardware]

Okay, if you feel you're mature enough to have and/or carry a handgun you're mature enough to research what the law says in KY.

This, right here.

20 minutes of Googling NRA's state summaries and KY's public RSAs would have answered this. Failing to do your own basic research does not reflect well.

 

[Justinww11]

This, right here.

20 minutes of Googling NRA's state summaries and KY's public RSAs would have answered this. Failing to do your own basic research does not reflect well.

Yes I understand. I was just looking for clearance because I get confused between state and fed laws and how they apply in each situation

 

[GRIZ22]

Yes I understand. I was just looking for clearance because I get confused between state and fed laws and how they apply in each situation

Easy answer to that. First, you have to read the entire law. Federal law trumps state law. State law can be more restrictive but not contrary to Federal law.

"Clearance"? If you get jammed up saying you got "clearance" from an on line forum is not going to do anything for you.

 

[Justinww11]

Easy answer to that. First, you have to read the entire law. Federal law trumps state law. State law can be more restrictive but not contrary to Federal law.

"Clearance"? If you get jammed up saying you got "clearance" from an on line forum is not going to do anything for you.

More like some guidance, just used the wrong word. I appreciate the feedback and would rather play it clean than leave questions

 

[GRIZ22]

More like some guidance, just used the wrong word. I appreciate the feedback and would rather play it clean than leave questions

Keep in mind if you get "guidance" you need to verify it on your own.

Remember you'll need someone to buy "handgun" ammo for you until you're 21.

 

[Justinww11]

Keep in mind if you get "guidance" you need to verify it on your own.

Remember you'll need someone to buy "handgun" ammo for you until you're 21.

Is handgun not the proper term?

More specifically I’m looking at 9mm

 

[bearcreek]

More like some guidance, just used the wrong word. I appreciate the feedback and would rather play it clean than leave questions

Honestly man, getting advice about stuff like this from folks on an internet forum is rarely a good idea. The sources you should be looking at are the official ones, not what we tell you here. State and Fed gun laws are confusing, that's for sure, but getting opinions on a forum will only muddy the waters further. Now, if somebody gives you a link to the actual official sources for the information you seek, then that can be useful, but don't take people's word for it just because they're on a gun forum. Remember, anybody with an internet connection and third grade level reading ability can sign up and express their opinion on these types of forums. That's not to denigrate anyone here, it's just the truth.

All that being said, look up Kentucky statute 527.100

 

[bearcreek]

Is handgun not the proper term?

It is. The quotes were because of the ridiculous Federal law that says that people who are under 21 cannot buy "handgun" ammo. The problem is, very few calibers are totally exclusive to handguns. All of the common handgun calibers like .22 LR, .380 9mm, .40 S&W, .45 ACP etc. have carbines and/or rifles that are chambered in them too. So you can legally buy .22 LR ammo for a Ruger 10/22, for example, but not for a Ruger MK2, even though the ammo is exactly the same.