fear of 18-20

[yosimitesam92]

hello everyone, Im new to the site, and I know similar topics have been posted, but why do most private sellers believe that it is illegal to sell a handgun to a 18-20 year that is a law abidding citizen and has no mal-intent for use of the handgun and is a resident of texas (im saying texas because I assume most of the readers here are from texas). I own a taurus .38 caliber revolver and a smith and wesson 40 caliber semi automatic but have been looking for a 1911 from either spring field or kimber. Im 19 and more times than not I get told that it is illegal for anyone under 21 to posses a handgun let alone buy and am told not to contact the seller ever again. what causes this? I know from not only my dads knowledge as a CHL carrier and NRA memeber but from local police departments and even state officials that it is legal for a 18-20 year old to buy a hand gun but is not entitled to the same privledges as a CHL by any means. I do know that this 18 - 20 rule does not apply to FFL dealers by law.

Can anyone help me figure out this situation and what has people so angry whenever A person in my age group ask to buy a gun from them in a private sale?

Thank you very much

 

[majormadmax]

I dunno, you'd have to ask a seller why he/she feels that way; but if I had to wager a guess I would say it is because they aren't familiar with the laws. Also, since it is not legal for a FFL to sell handguns to individuals under 21, they believe it's the same for private sales...

Cheers! M2

 

[Mikewood]

Most people spend their lives avoiding the law. They avoid cops, obey laws and "stay out of trouble". Also it might be legal but it's agen tha law. So what do you do? You have to find a sympathetic seller. One who knows the law and will help you. Parent, uncle, guys on the board. Have you tried the want to buy section?
Good luck.

 

[Charlie]

Welcome to the forum!

 

[yosimitesam92]

I havent tried the buying sections thank you very much though

 

[hkusp1]

Hit up south Dallas they will sell anything to anyone.

 

[TxDad]

I would think its most stores policy. And any ole Joe that walks in and sees this might think its the law. My best guess. Going hand and hand with what Majormadmax said about them not familiar with the laws.

 

[yosimitesam92]

No luck I just searched through 50 pages of adds for guns and out of everything I was interested in it was either sold or no one would sell. thanks though guys. unless someone is selling a 1911 I might be gone off of here for a while

 

[zembonez]

Many people assume that it's not cool to sell to someone under 21 because it's the law for retailers. It's just that they don't know the law.

 

[yosimitesam92]

even if you bring legal documentation or offer to go up to the police station to verify that the sale is legal?

 

[TexasRedneck]

Wait....you joined today - and because you couldn't find a gun you wanted now....you're gonna leave?

Don't take this wrong....but one thing that age brings is patience - and that's something that ANY gun owner needs to have, because it reflects the level of maturity needed when you own a gun. I would respectfully submit that you need to take things a bit slower, and tell us a bit about yourself. There's a BUNCH of folks here that could well decide to offer you a decent deal on a gun once we get to know you and get the feeling that you're ready to take on the responsibility of gun ownership.

At this point we know VERY little about you - and that's generally not good. You don't even tell folks where you live - but yet you want us to help you find a gun?

Think about it.....

 

[Marlowe]

Heck, I'm awfully glad nobody would sell me a pistol when I was 18. Heck, I thought I was a big-time man of the world, legal adult: In hindsight now, I was an immature punk. I'm sure somebody in their 60's would look back and say the same about 46 where I'm at now..

 

[yosimitesam92]

no no, i didnt mean as in I was leaving the forum, i meant I was gonna stop bothering you guys so hard and lay low for a minute. im sorry to make it seem like I was being impatient. Im currently attend college outside of houston but live off campus. im originally from amarillo. anything you want to know just ask. sorry to come off as pushy and impatient

Wait....you joined today - and because you couldn't find a gun you wanted now....you're gonna leave?

Don't take this wrong....but one thing that age brings is patience - and that's something that ANY gun owner needs to have, because it reflects the level of maturity needed when you own a gun. I would respectfully submit that you need to take things a bit slower, and tell us a bit about yourself. There's a BUNCH of folks here that could well decide to offer you a decent deal on a gun once we get to know you and get the feeling that you're ready to take on the responsibility of gun ownership.

At this point we know VERY little about you - and that's generally not good. You don't even tell folks where you live - but yet you want us to help you find a gun?

Think about it.....

 

[M. Sage]

Maybe they're the same people getting bills of sale whenever they buy or sell...

 

[yosimitesam92]

Is a bill of sale even legally needed? I've always just viewed it as a reciept of who you got it from.

 

[shooterfpga]

No luck I just searched through 50 pages of adds for guns and out of everything I was interested in it was either sold or no one would sell. thanks though guys. unless someone is selling a 1911 I might be gone off of here for a while

patience. and theres other houston websites you can look through or post ads lookin for stuff.

 

[majormadmax]

no no, i didnt mean as in I was leaving the forum, i meant I was gonna stop bothering you guys so hard and lay low for a minute. im sorry to make it seem like I was being impatient. Im currently attend college outside of houston but live off campus. im originally from amarillo. anything you want to know just ask. sorry to come off as pushy and impatient

Don't sweat TRN, he's about a hundred years older than you are and can't remember back to the 1920s when he was young'un!

I think we realize you are anxious to get a pistol but as someone who is halfway between you and TRN I can tell you that patience will be your best course of action. There are deals to be had and folks that will sell pistols to you, but understand that with private sales the seller drives the game and if he/she feels uneasy about any aspect of the sale, then it's his/her prerogative to not go through with it.

I collect AKs which have been going up dramatically in price over the past few months (a Romanian WASR-10 used to be easily found under $400, not they're over $500); but I have still scored some really nice rifles at great prices because I was in no rush. And considering that I didn't start gun collecting until six years ago, and I've made up for a lot of lost ground during that time, you'd think if there was anyone in a rush it would be me.

So my best advice is to save your money and keep your eye out for that 1911 that catches your eye. By the way, I commend you on your desire for that particular model, I have a couple of them (and TRN has a boatload!) and I wish I was as knowledgeable about this great pistol when I was your age!

Cheers! M2

p.s. And bills of sale are not only NOT required in Texas, most folks on here detest them (including myself). But if I found a great deal on an outstanding firearm I really wanted, it's not something I personally would let stop me from getting it. Others feel more strongly about it...

 

[GPtwins]

I've never written a bill of sale for a gun and I sold too many of them in the past. Now I just keep them and shoot them.

 

[TexasRedneck]

Is a bill of sale even legally needed? I've always just viewed it as a reciept of who you got it from.

No - they ain't required, an' as the GayFlyboy noted, they ain't much liked by most, either. But, tell you what - you stick around, get to know folks (an' let them get to know you), an' I'd be willin' to bet that sooner or later someone'll come along that'll know the laws AND you (by watching you here), an' will be happy to sell to ya.

Gotta tell you - your response to my previous comments proved a LOT in my mind, at least - that you're mature enough to discern comments that are meant to be constructive, and rather than responding with some punk 'tude, you actually replied to it in a manner that was both in line with the original comments AND thoughtful - which I appreciated. Hell - *if* I had a .45 I'd be willing to let go of, I'd have no problem sellin' it to ya!

But wait...there IS one other caveat *I* would (personally) have....do you still live w/your folks, or are you on your own? If you were living with your folks, I'd want their "okay" - because while you're legally an adult, you have to respect their property. And if you are, that's another possible avenue - ask them to buy it FOR you (give 'em the $$$) if there's no other way via a private seller that actually knows the law.

And tell ya what...stick around for a month, lemme see the cut of yer jib - if you continue as you are, I might just have a RIA .45 you could talk me into sellin' to ya.....

 

[TexasRedneck]

Don't sweat TRN, he's about a hundred years older than you are and can't remember back to the 1920s when he was young'un!

Man - some folks sure do like ta be all tacky....

So my best advice is to save your money and keep your eye out for that 1911 that catches your eye. By the way, I commend you on your desire for that particular model, I have a couple of them (and TRN has a boatload!) and I wish I was as knowledgeable about this great pistol when I was your age!

It ain't no "boatload" - shucks, ah've only got 'bout a canoe full!!