.22 handgun?

Question

I live in massachusets and when i turn 15 I might get a fid card(firearms idenifications card) and it said you can cary non-large capisity rifeles and shotguns would a small smoithand wesson .22 lr handgun be considered a rifel? and would a .22 be a good self- defence gun???

I read that you need a gun class. I am responsible. And also the law if 18 years old or 15 with parental signiture.

Answer 1

burnzwater is ignorant of the law.

In MOST states, 18 is the legal age to carry a handgun. In fact, 14 states issue CCW permits to 18 year olds:

Maine*
New Hampshire*
Montana
Indiana*
Vermont
Alabama
Delaware
West Virginia***
Iowa**
Kansas+
Maryland++
North Dakota*
South Dakota
Wyoming***


*Non-resident permits as well
**Non-resident permits as well, w/ conditions
***if job-related/specific circumstances
+issues permits to private detectives
++issues resident & non-resident permits, but w/ conditions, hard to obtain

Check with your state and local laws, most states allow you to carry at 18 (openly) if you legally own/have access to your firearm. Many shooting ranges allow 18 year olds to shoot pistols by themselves. Also, you can shoot at the pistol range if your parent/guardian over 21 goes with you.

Best of luck, and check your local and state laws on this issue.

Answer 2

I don't know what the rules are in Mass. but a .22 isn't a good self defense weapon also you are 15 and have no business carrying a gun at all if you cant even spell in the first place. Non large capacity shotguns and rifles are just that .....they can not carry a large capacity of rounds. A hand gun isn't a rifle BTW. and you are still a minor and as far as i knew minors cant carry handguns at all much less any weapon defines as a weapon in your state for any reason.

Answer 3

A .22 is not a self-defense gun.

A handgun of any caliber is not permissible with a FID card. Not even a b.b. gun. It is a quick way to get a police man made at you.

15? Wait a while. When you are old enough to join the army, you are old enough to carry a gun.
.

Answer 4

Whatever you do don't listen to the jackass that said a .22 round will drop before the neighbors house, that is not true. I have hit targets from around 100 yards no sweat with my .22 rifle. You should research this somewhere that has the true facts. Check your local laws, they very from state to state and county to county. When talking about firearms you should only ask people who know the facts. Don't be polluted by the stupidity of others. diggerm82 has obviously never even fired a .22 or he would know the round will go past the neighbors house.

Answer 5

get your fid card it shows you are at least trying to be responsible...good for you....as you know already it is a pistol(you even called it a handgun)....so far as self defense goes ..anything smaller than a 9mm is a statical loss as far as stopping with one shot...at a 9mm you have about a 70% chance...anything smaller it drops to 30% or less...so it just means you have to shoot more and be a better shot...if a 22 is all you have it is better than nothing...if that is what you carry,than that is what you should practice with....go see a professional for concealed carry permit training....also...check out where you live...Mass. is a big anti-gunner state...you have some pretty tight laws...

Answer 6

Before you go carrying weapons around, please learn to spell. At 15, do you really need a self defense gun? Anyway, I don't think any state lets anyone under the age of 18 own a handgun.

Answer 7

you cant carry a pistol legally until you are 21 in any state its a federal law. the .22 is not a good self defense gun. it is just too small of a caliber. go with a .40 S&W or sig sauer. a .38 is a close second.

live in western PA, and damn proud of it <((((><

Answer 8

Been a casual target shooter / instructor over the years.
The firearms ID card will allow you to purchase the sporting arms you mentioned.
A pistol is a concealable handgun & definitely not a rifle.
The S&W .22 cal is fine for target shooting & might be legal for hunting small game in your state .
As for self defense, the best thing to have is good sneakers to get away from a bad situation.
If you are really interested in shooting sports, check in w/ a local gun club or police dept to get proper firearms training .
Carrying a pistol esp, a .22 , for self defence ( even if legal ) is just an invitation to trouble.

Answer 9

Why exactly does a 15 year old need to carry a handgun (.22 or otherwise) to begin with? First of all, it is illegal for someone your age to carry a handgun. Secondly, you will more than likely be killed carrying a .22 around when everyone else is packing 9mm and above.

Answer 10

well, no. it isnt considered a rifle. "small capacity" has to do with the amount of rounds the pistol/rifle will hold, not the caliber. people dont hunt with .22 caliber handguns because it has no stopping power which is why it isnt a good self defence weapon.