Thanks in advance to anyone who can help me out with this question. If you have prior experience or cite sources, that'll help me a lot.
I've been thinking of purchasing a handgun for a friend. Unfortunately, my friend is under 21. I know only I can legally purchase a handgun, and he cannot as that's federal law. But at least in Ohio, it's legal for someone under 21 to possess a handgun (as far as I know and have experienced). It gets a more complicated: I'm an Ohio resident, so if I buy my handgun and use an FFL I must buy my handgun in Ohio. I know I can buy a handgun just from any store/show and not have to deal with the FFL crap (still a background check), but in Michigan you must apply for a permit to purchase a handgun (what a ridiculously stupid law!), so even if I don't use an FFL I'll mostly likely be buying within Ohio
So... can I purchase a handgun in Ohio and gift to someone under 21 who is a resident of Michigan (and who'll have to register the handgun)?
2007-11-21 14:34:35 · 8 answers · asked by figgypower 3 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
It IS legal to purchase a firearm as a gift as long as the person who purchases the firearm completes the ATF form 4473 and passes the background check. They can NOT "gift" the firearm to anyone who would be prohibited from owning a firearm, other than their minor child. Legally, the firearm would still be "owned" by the original purchaser, in that case.
If the person who receives the firearm as a gift is actually prohibited by law from owning a firearm (a felon for example), the person who purchased the firearm is subect to a $250,000 fine and up to 10 years imprisonment.
2007-11-21 17:33:07 · answer #1 · answered by outdoors.guy54 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yep, this looks like it could get you in tremendous trouble.
1) Straw Purchase
2) Providing a minor with a handgun
3) Transfering a weapon across state line without a FFL.
Ask yourself a couple of questions, 1) why does your friend want a handgun he is not able to possess. 2) Is it worth it to spend up to 20 yrs in the can and lose your right to own firearms for life. In other words, just don't do it. When he turns 21, purchase a gift certificate that he can use to purchase his hand gun legally.
John
2007-11-22 10:01:03 · answer #2 · answered by lorangj 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, it is possible, federally, your allowed to private purchase(not from gunshop) or be gifted a handgun at the age of 18, but many states have made 21 the minimum age, it really depends on which state you live in and it's laws. zak is wrong, you can have someone else purchase the handgun and then they can gift or sell the gun to you if your 18, this is helpful when you don't want to risk buying a gun from a stranger, so you have someone you know buy a new handgun and then they either gift or sell it to you, completely legal, you just need to be in a state that allows under 18 private purchases or gifting.
2016-05-24 23:34:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you want to gift it to him he will have to get a permit to purchase, since the aquisition would be considered a purchase, and he has to 21 to get the permit.
You will have to wait until he is 21. It is also illegal for you to "sell" a firearm to your friend in MI from OHIO, and you will have to ship it to him through a licensed gun dealer, and the dealer will have to obey all the Federal as well as state laws.
2007-11-21 14:45:03 · answer #4 · answered by Gray Wanderer 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is illegal to purchase a firearm for another person. This is called a "straw sale". Also, a person under 21 is not legally able to own a handgun, in any state.. Buying a gun for another person in another state and transporting it to them is also another federal offense.
2007-11-22 09:26:18 · answer #5 · answered by randy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I was talking with a firearms dealer ( in Florida ) recently & i asked the same question, but without the age thing, I was told that it is illegal, to buy a firearm ( be it pistol, rifle or shotgun ) to be meant solely as a gift.
Even that being said, if by chance you do give someone a gun & someone happens to get shot with that weapon the registered owner can be held responsible in the shooting
2007-11-21 15:06:59 · answer #6 · answered by Roger W 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Even though this might be legal, it would be too much hassle to even mess with. Just let your friend wait a couple of years until he is 21.
2007-11-22 06:44:06 · answer #7 · answered by flucolax35 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in Michigan and first of all I think that is a bad idea, and secondly I do not think that is legal. If your friend just waits a couple years, you can legally buy them a gun.
2007-11-21 14:42:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋