Ok I live in the the state of Virginia and to my understanding you have to be 212 to purchase a handgun and 18 to possess one. I am looking for a way to get a handgun, but being under 21 I can buy one....I found a website called gunbroker.com and it says that you can buy anything that you can legally own ( which in my case would be a handgun) so would it be illegal for me to get a gun off this website? (Gunbroker.com is similar to ebay but specificlly for firearms) I just want to know it I would be able to buy a handgun from there?
2007-12-12 14:42:00 · 14 answers · asked by hardcore_kid_89 1 in Sports ➔ Outdoor Recreation ➔ Hunting
The only legal way you can acquire a handgun is from a family member. If you get someone to make the purchase for you, you and they are committing a Federal Felony, it is called a "Straw Man Purchase."
If your parents won't purchase the gun for your use, you'll just have to be patient.
Anyone who sells firearms over the internet and makes any attempt at obeying the law will ship only to an FFL holder, who will require a Form 4473 to be filled out, and a NICS inquiry to be made.
If you buy a handgun from your next door neighbor, you will both be violating the law. Him for selling a handgun to a minor, and you for making the purchase.
Like I said, your only legal alternative is to get your parents to make the purchase.
Doc
2007-12-12 16:03:48 · answer #1 · answered by Doc Hudson 7 · 4⤊ 2⤋
Unfortunately, it own't work. Even if you win the bid and send payment, the gun will need to go to a local FFL dealer. In order to transfer the gun to you you would need to be 21 as that this is still considered a purchase. A family member could purchase it, retain ownership, and allow you to use it from time to time without running into legal trouble.
Whatever you do, don't just ask someone to buy it for you. This is a straw purchase. A respectable person won't do it. Gun dealers are pretty good at spotting straw purchases and they are a serious offense. Considering that the Virginia Tech shooting is still in the minds of many people, I could easily see a District Attorney throwing the book at a young adult for an illegal straw purchase of a firearm, thinking it's for the good of the state. -I'm not saying that you would do anything wrong with a handgun, but the "get tough" tactics are going to happen and someone is going to be made an example of how tough the justice system can be.
If you are absolutely sure you want a handgun, talk one of your parents into purchasing it for you. You won't run the risk of doing something less than legal and paying dearly for it.
2007-12-12 18:49:46 · answer #2 · answered by Matt M 5 · 2⤊ 2⤋
No you cannot buy a handgun from gunbroker.com and the reason has already been stated. I would forget about the handgun until you're 21 and instead get a rifle (like a .22) to target practice with.
2007-12-13 08:23:26 · answer #3 · answered by FreakEyeRight 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
For anything off gunbroker.com, you'd have to go off of an FFL to take delivery, you can't have it shipped to your home. That's where you'd have the trouble with being underage to purchase a handgun. If you can, have a family or close friend member purchase the pistol you want, and then give it to you. If that doesn't work, find a hobo who wants a hot meal and have him do it. I know they're down there, I've run into several back when I worked in Virginia Beach. That, of course, is illegal. Having a blackpowder pistol and the means to load it is also illegal in some places if you're not legal to purchase a cartridge-fed handgun.
You can, however, possess a family member's handgun, and as long as it's theirs and not yours, you can take it to the range freely.
2007-12-12 14:57:12 · answer #4 · answered by fishtrembleatmyname 5 · 1⤊ 2⤋
The federal law is 21 to purchase from a licensed dealer. You will probably find that you may purchase one within Virginia from another individual who legitimately owns it.
You do not have to own a firearm to possess it, either. It may belong to a family member who is allowing you to use it. Here in New York, it is very common for family members to cross-list handguns on permits. That allows us the use of them legitimately.
This is why you and your parents pay taxes. Ask someone at the local law enforcement agency for clarification.
2007-12-14 15:29:56 · answer #5 · answered by Tom K 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Any licensed gun sale web-site will only ship to an FFL (a federally licensed dealer) in your state of residence. Typically even at a gun show, if you purchase a handgun there, you can pick it up from a local FFL license holder in your city, so it won't be shipped directly to you.
The problem you might run into when buying a gun and filling out the background check is on the questionnaire section. It states "are you the actual purchaser of this gun" or something to that effect, so whoever is buying the weapon for you will need to answer that question correctly (hint: the correct answer is "YES")
Do you have a close friend or family member who can buy the gun for themselves and then resell it to you on the same day they pick it up? I don't think I would approach anyone outside my personal circle of trust these days and have them assist me in a gun purchase. The penalties are just too high in case something goes wrong.
2007-12-12 15:08:00 · answer #6 · answered by sweetwaterfish 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
If you buy a gun over the internet or out of state, you will have to arrage for an FFL dealer in your area to accept the gun, and if you meet all the federal and local requirements, then the local dealer can transfer the gun to you. But since you are 21, forget about going to a gun shop and trying to buy a handgun.
2007-12-12 23:53:08 · answer #7 · answered by WC 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
You need to contact your local BATF agent and make damn sure,dont take your brother's best friends 1st cousin's word as law. It is my understanding federal law says 21 to own a handgun. DONT TAKE MY WORD CALL AN AGENT. dont get a felony by accident
2007-12-14 13:43:05 · answer #8 · answered by nascarjimbo 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
you have to be 21 to purchase a handgun, you won't be able to purchase one off the site unless you are 21
2007-12-12 15:57:15 · answer #9 · answered by low_hd_rider 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Check into some black powder handguns .You can buy them at 18 .there fun to shoot and they can kill anything a cartridge gun can.
2007-12-12 18:27:53 · answer #10 · answered by wolf 1 · 2⤊ 2⤋