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Handgun age

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xRapidDavex

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May 26, 2008
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In Utah, I thought that you could only purchase a handgun if you were 21 period. Can someone clarify if a person who is over 18 can purchase a firearm as a private sale? Any quotations you have of the law would be very helpful.

Just don't want to go doing an illegal transaction.

Also, what should I check for? If the person seems "upstanding", is that enough to protect me? Do I need to verify they aren't a felon, etc?

Thanks for any help, forum-goers
 
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GeneticsDave

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Oct 24, 2007
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Bountiful, Utah, , USA
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21 years old to buy from a FFL dealer, 18 in a private sale.

You don't have to know that they are not a felon, how could you? You don't have access to those records. As long they don't have any charges that you are aware of, you are fine.
 
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GeneticsDave

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According to 18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1):
(b) It shall be unlawful for any licensed importer, licensed manufacturer, licensed dealer, or licensed collector to sell or deliver-- (1) any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than eighteen years of age, and, if the firearm, or ammunition is other than a shotgun or rifle, or ammunition for a shotgun or rifle, to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than twenty-one years of age;
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This restriction only applies to dealers. As long as you don't know of any criminal background, you may sell to a person 18+ y/o.
Code:
 
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GeneticsDave

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Bountiful, Utah, , USA
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Thanks :)

As far as Utah law goes, look at U.C.A. 76-10-509.9:
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76-10-509.9. Sales of firearms to juveniles. (1) A person may not sell any firearm to a minor under 18 years of age unless the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian. (2) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a third degree felony.
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So in Utah you can't sell to someone under 18 without their parent there (dealers cannot do this, only private citizens, dealers may only sell to 21+ with background check). If they are 18+ you don't need the parent/guardian to be present. This makes sense, heck, at 18 you can enlist and die for your country, but what? You can't buy a gun? Stupid. It would stand to reason that you are considered an adult at 18, now we just need to change the silly FFL and drinking age from 21 back to where it should be.
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althor

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2007
Messages
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Location
West Jordan, Utah, USA
imported post

GeneticsDave wrote:
Thanks :)

As far as Utah law goes, look at U.C.A. 76-10-509.9:
[font="Arial,Helvetica"]
76-10-509.9. Sales of firearms to juveniles. (1) A person may not sell any firearm to a minor under 18 years of age unless the minor is accompanied by a parent or guardian. (2) Any person who violates this section is guilty of a third degree felony.
Click to expand...
So in Utah you can't sell to someone under 18 without their parent there (dealers cannot do this, only private citizens, dealers may only sell to 21+ with background check). If they are 18+ you don't need the parent/guardian to be present. This makes sense, heck, at 18 you can enlist and die for your country, but what? You can't buy a gun? Stupid. It would stand to reason that you are considered an adult at 18, now we just need to change the silly FFL and drinking age from 21 back to where it should be.
[/font]
Click to expand...
You do not need to be 21 to purchase long guns (rifles and shotguns) from a dealer... you only need to be 18. To buy a handgun from a dealer you need to be at least 21.
 
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