Handgun at 18?

[AE92Guy]

I've gotten different answers to this question. I just turned 18 and want a handgun. I just bought my first rifle but I'm really itching to get my own handgun. I know it's illegal to buy one under 21, but I've read online that one can be gifted to you by a family member. I've asked multiple people at my local shops and ranges and they all say there is no workaround and that there's no hope. There is no way I'm getting a handgun until I'm 21. There are also people all over the Internet that say I can. It wouldn't be a straw purchase because my dad has a Ruger P97DC he's been planning on giving to me for a while. Can anyone give me a straight answer to this?
Side note- The rifle I got is the new model of the Ruger PC9 with the free float barrel, and Mlok handguard. The rifle is a 9mm but I've been told you can not buy handgun caliber ammo under 21 either. I have some rounds that I got from my dad, but it's gonna run out soon. Is this rule true? If it is it's ridiculous. I can buy the rifle but I can't buy rounds for it?

[edgerly779]

Where are you located so we can send you to ffl that can help. At least give county. Why do people hide at least that info.?. Father can gift you rounds.

[AE92Guy]

I'm in Fresno CA

[edgerly779]

OK Thanks hopefully an ffl up there will see this or local who knows ffl will answer.

[Librarian]

Yes, your father can legally give you a handgun if
- you both live in California
- you are at least 18
- you have a Firearms Safety Certificate

You, not your father, must send to CA-DOJ the documentation of that transfer; when I gave a handgun to my daughter, I included a mostly-filled-out form and $20 with the gun.

See the wiki article, http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/in...Family_Members, for the detailed explanation.

A good FFL will sell you 9mm ammo for your rifle.

[mikeyr]

would a Cap&Ball revolver slide under the 18 year old rule, you can buy them online and have them shipped to you. Not proposing it if its not legal...just wondering.

And that is how I bought my first gun when I was 16...of course that was 1974, the laws were different then. I still shoot black powder stuff now.

[NATEWA]

Yes, your father can legally give you a handgun if
- you both live in California
- you are at least 18
- you have a Firearms Safety Certificate

You, not your father, must send to CA-DOJ the documentation of that transfer; when I gave a handgun to my daughter, I included a mostly-filled-out form and $20 with the gun.

See the wiki article, http://wiki.calgunsfoundation.org/in...Family_Members, for the detailed explanation.

A good FFL will sell you 9mm ammo for your rifle.

[plumbum]

I owned 3 or 4 pistol caliber carbines before I was 21, and yes some places were uptight about selling and some didn’t care at all.

Just be patient OP, just because you know how to follow the law doesn’t mean some people (including LE) are going to know you have. Take your time and sometimes it pays to just keep your mouth shut.

[M1NM]

With the new ammo background check kicking out purchases of calibers you don't have registered wouldn't it show that you already have a 9mm?

[C&Rfan89]

^ This is the first confirmed news I have heard of them kicking purchases for ammo calibers you don't have an associated registered gun with. I know they were trying this BS but I thought it got shut down?

[edgerly779]

^^ Do not listen to fud they do not cross reference ammo purchases to firearms you own. M1NM out in left field somewhere.

[Quiet]

Valid CA hunting license is only an exemption to the FSC for long guns. [PC 31700(c)]
^It does not apply to handguns.

[SemperInExcretiaSumus]

OP, join the military, have them finance your move to Free America. Buy all the guns you want while stationed elsewhere. Don't forget where you came from, because it will be a reminder to you of what not to vote for.

In all seriousness, yes, your dad can gift you a gun (immediate family member) and you can buy 9mm ammo, but some FFLs won't do it. And, yeah, it sucks being between 18 and 21, especially now, you can't even buy tobacco anymore. You can smoke it, you just can't buy it.

Just be patient OP, just because you know how to follow the law doesn’t mean some people (including LE) are going to know you have. Take your time and sometimes it pays to just keep your mouth shut.

Hang in there, we're rooting for you. Not all of us "adults" suck. Just make sure you show up at the polls, no matter what you do.

[ar15barrels]

Hunting License only works for long guns.
Handguns require an FSC or one of the other exemptions.

What are the Firearm Safety Certificate requirement exemption codes?

X01 = Special Weapons Permit Holder
X02 = Operation of Law Representative
X03 = Handgun being returned to the owner
X13 = FFL collector with COE (curio and relic handguns only)
X21 = Military - Active Duty
X22 = Military - Reserve
X25 = Military - Honorably Retired
X31 = Peace Officer - California - Active
X32 = Peace Officer - Federal - Active
X33 = Peace Officer - California - Honorably Retired
X34 = Peace Officer - California - Reserve
X35 = Peace Officer - Federal - Honorably Retired
X41 = Carry Concealed Weapon (CCW) Permit Holder
X81 = P.O.S.T. 832 PC (Firearms) Training
X91 = Particular and Limited Authority Peace Officers
X95 = Law Enforcement Service Gun to Family Member
X98 = Valid Hunting License (long guns only)

[ar15barrels]

With the new ammo background check kicking out purchases of calibers you don't have registered wouldn't it show that you already have a 9mm?

The ammo background check does NOT check what calibers you have.
There is nothing in the ammo purchase process that limits you to purchasing only specific calibers.