Posession of handgun by 18 yr old in CO

[hkOrion]

Okay - so what's the scoop on this. I go into my local shop to shoot, and there's a sign that says anyone under the age of 21 in posession of a handgun is in violation of state law. It doesn't say anything about being supervised or not, so I assume that if you have a legal guardian/parent with you it's okay.

I went and looked up the laws at the CO Burea of Investigations website and the only relevant statute I could come up with was 18-12-108.5. Possession of handguns by juveniles - prohibited - exceptions - penalty. It just goes on about those under 18, but nothing about 18-21 yr olds.

Any clarification on this? I'm old enough that I don't need to worry about this (by about 10 years), but my nephew is 18 and I wonder what the restrictions are for him....

Thanks.

hkOrion

 

[RyanM]

Looks like the sign in the shop is incorrect. You should print out that statute and give it to the owner.

It's also maybe possible that you misread or misremembered, and the sign said it's illegal for people under 21 to purchase handguns?

 

[mattf7184]

You sure it wasnt the required sign that says they cant sell to under 21yos?

 

[hkOrion]

nope -

the wording of the sign clearly stated that it was illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to 'posess' a handgun. I even asked the guy behind the counter and he said that if someone under 21 came in with a gun that they would confiscate it and call the police.

I was under the impression that it was illegal for anyone 18-21 to purchase a handgun, but that they could have it transferred to them. That's how my brother got his first handgun when he was under 18 (back in NY).

Next time i'm in there i'll ask one of the more senior guys and bring in the statute (should be in there tomorrow). I just think it's retarded that these people don't know the law.

hkOrion

 

[jefnvk]

I'd get another opinion. Once, I had a gunshop owner swear that I could CCW at 18.

 

[hkOrion]

I'd get another opinion.

Hence the post. I knew I'd get a multitude of opinions from here. And i'm sure there are posters who know a lot more about CO law than I do...

hkOrion

 

[Standing Wolf]

Gun shops, sad to say, are notorious for misinformation and occasional disinformation.

 

[Ryan in the House]

State law applies for all counties within the state, and as far as I know... all public places within the counties. Maybe the sign was incorrect. You could ask the police about it... I wonder if the shop has ever notified the police when an 18-20 year old possessed a gun? If they did, and the police reciprocated, then we have a problem here.