Advising 19 Year Olds

[Ripon83]

I teach a class which has a good number of 19-20 year olds that will likely work in LE or security in the future. They can't buy HGs so I advised them to buy lowers and build themselves an AR. A friend suggested I encourage them to go the shotgun route first.

These "kids" have no parents, or family units to speak of. Suggestions?

BTW they seem to get caught up in the anti euphoria and fear never being able to buy what they need in the future. I have chatted to them about the Obama fears, ammo hoarding, pricing and changes. Still what do you tell someone that can't buy a HG for 15 months?

[Exodus343]

Can't buy a stripped lower if your under 21 either....

22lrs! oh wait....

shotgun sounds good, trap shooting, skeet, all sorts of fun

[Rock6.3]

Tell them to invest in reloading equipment.

[Jimmybacon43]

Yeah they can't get a stripped lower until they're 21.

I would normally say a .22 rifle. If they can get ammo I would still say .22 rifle of their choosing.

Shotguns are a good choice too, there just isn't really too much marksmanship involved with that. Clay shooting would be the highest skill activity they could perform with a shotgun.

[Exodus343]

You see how F***ed my generation is OP? I'm one year older than the listed age, and my friends in school are having a hard time enjoying our 2A right, most of them aren't into it because of the cost

it's the cost that turns away most of my peers... sure there are a couple anti gun people but that's because they weren't loved enough when they were little

[surplus-addict]

Build 80%'s. They're easy and it cuts down on paperwork.
Heck, you can build 80% 1911's: not that easy, but you can do it in a garage with a Dremel (you have to build a simple jig, but it's not a big deal) and a drill press. He's 18, so he can own and make handguns, but not buy them.

As a matter of fact, you can make 80% Glock's...

[Area 52]

Build 80%'s. They're easy and it cuts down on paperwork.
Heck, you can build 80% 1911's: not that easy, but you can do it in a garage with a Dremel (you have to build a simple jig, but it's not a big deal) and a drill press. He's 18, so he can own and make handguns, but not buy them.

As a matter of fact, you can make 80% Glock's...

As someone who looked into it as a way to obtain a handgun before 21, I'll tell you that "not that easy" is an understatement. Especially for the type of kids the OP is advising (meaning access to the necessary tools and garage space).

When I was their age, I bought a Mini 14. If I had to do it again, I'd probably get an M&P Sport. As mentioned, they cannot buy stripped lowers. However, they can buy black powder revolvers and cartridge conversion cylinders. That's probably way too out of the box for what OP has in mind, but I like to explore all options.

[Virus55]

I teach a class which has a good number of 19-20 year olds that will likely work in LE or security in the future. They can't buy HGs so I advised them to buy lowers and build themselves an AR. A friend suggested I encourage them to go the shotgun route first.

These "kids" have no parents, or family units to speak of. Suggestions?

BTW they seem to get caught up in the anti euphoria and fear never being able to buy what they need in the future. I have chatted to them about the Obama fears, ammo hoarding, pricing and changes. Still what do you tell someone that can't buy a HG for 15 months?

Come on OP, your "calguns addicted" but you didnt think about them needing to be 21 to purchase a lower. Lol

[Squidward]

Still what do you tell someone that can't buy a HG for 15 months?

I'd tell them to use the 15 months to prepare and educate themselves. Start with;

Joining the NRA.
Take the CA HSC
Enroll in handgun training courses

[ChuckDizzle]

Have them spend the next year learning as mentioned above, and saving. They are going to want a good quality pistol, hopefully one they will own the rest of their lives.

[Ripon83]

19-20

You know there was a question about people under 21 on the HSC and I almost missed it....I haven't been there in a while and really pay little attention to the rules until I realized these kids have no parents, no older brothers, no mentors about firearms. Darn sad actually so I gotta educate myself to help em out.

Come on OP, your "calguns addicted" but you didnt think about them needing to be 21 to purchase a lower. Lol

[Mitch]

You know there was a question about people under 21 on the HSC and I almost missed it....I haven't been there in a while and really pay little attention to the rules until I realized these kids have no parents, no older brothers, no mentors about firearms. Darn sad actually so I gotta educate myself to help em out.

That's great. Are there Appleseed events in your area? Those are great for young folks.

I don't really think AR-15s are the be-all and end-all in firearms. At that age, I think a Ruger 10-22 is a good purchase. Inexpensive to buy, inexpensive to shoot, and lends itself to tuning and customization which:

1) Young people seem to enjoy doing anyway; and
2) Helps teach them more about how firearms work.

A good handgun, if purchased new, is damned expensive. They should wait and save up for one anyway.

[71MUSTY]

Teach then patience and delayed gratification. Both will serve them well.

[haole_50]

Learn OTHER self-defense activities; Judo, Karate, Kung Fu; Knives; Hatchets; Swords. Eventually, YOU will run out of bullets and will need a reliable back-up.