Can an 18 year old own a handgun in california?

Question

If his father gave it to him for his birthday? A legal firearm.

I know an 18 year old can take it to the range by himself to do target practice so would it be legal if a father gave the gun to his son?

Is it legal or not?

Answer 1

Two issues here- ownership and legality. Your father can give you personal property, but you can't register a handgun in California unless you're 21. So you're in a temporal limbo. You're not old enough to own it. And one more thing- in California, you can't "give" a gun; you've got to take it to a gun dealer and effect the transfer.

The worried mom is a bit tense. I think if you're asking about owning a gun, you're plenty responsible. I won't automatically assume the worst about you. That's the good part. The bad part is, you can't legally own a handgun until you're 21, no matter what your dad gives you.

Other kinds of personal property don't have an age requirement for ownership. Your dad can give you a bike or a TV or a camera or lots of other personal property. You could legally say, "This is my bike and that's my camera." But no one can legally say, "This is the gun someone gave me" until they register it with the State of California. And you have to be 21 to do that.

If you like shooting, maybe your dad can get you a nice long gun- you need only be 18 for that.

FWIW, I bought my 13-year-old a nice long gun. He isn't 18 yet, so I can't legally transfer it to him. When he gets old enough, we'll do that, since I trust him to be responsible. Till then, we shoot "his" gun when we shoot mine, but it's technically still "my" gun.

Since your dad must think you're responsible enough, why not let him buy the gun in his name, then the two of you could go to the range and shoot "your" gun together? Good dad-son activity.

Answer 2

California has regularly passed laws with only the bare minimum of public notice. The "media" does not advertise said laws, many of which are unconstitutional and most of which are based on comic-book science. This is particularly true of laws that violate the Second Amendment.

We just found out that there is a law against shaking up a soda can or beer bottle. In fact the process of putting carbonated drinks in closed containers is illegal because they are classed as explosive devices. Two kids were arrested for putting dry-ice in plastic water bottles and watching them pop. The State of California has passed a law stating that the release of carbon dioxide gas that increases the pressure in a closed container is "a chemical reaction" (guess they all failed freshman chemistry) and constitutes a bomb.

The firearms laws secreted through have been based on false information just as flawed.

Answer 3

I don't think it's legal in California - only rifles/shotguns.......

http://www.bradycampaign.org/legislation/state/viewstate.php?st=ca#juvposs

California - State law restricts selling or giving handguns to juveniles under 21, and other firearms to juveniles under 18, except for supervised loans of firearms or for limited lawful activities (such as hunting). See also: Juvenile Possession.

Answer 4

You need to take a gun safe test, it 100 (i think) common sense questions and i paid 25 for it, its probably the same where you at. You can also change name on paper work so its in yours and that's about 50 dollars.

Answer 5

NO!an 18 year old has no business especially in cali with a hand gun and were not stupid! We know its you that wants to know and all your gonna do is hurt someone or hurt yourself or get in trouble with it so just forget it! go play with paintball guns. mother's tough love!