Minor's and the ownership of handguns

[Atrain1]

I know a guy that purchased a handgun for his idiot 19 year old nephew for Christmas. My friend moved away and gave to this kid to hold on to. My question is what is the law on this? The reason I ask is I happen to be close with the people the kid lives with and I do not want anything to happen, either legally or an accident with the smaller kids in the house. So if you could just let me know what the legal standpoint is on this, and yes I have already tried to Google it. Thanks for your input.

[Half Live]

INAL but I think you have to be 21 to buy from a FFL but 18 to own.

[hammer03]

Agreed (also not a lawyer), legal to possess and own, but not to purchase from an ffl. Also not legal to buy "handgun ammo" for.

Get him a nice little handgun safe for a birthday present, so he's more likely to lock it up.

[Clint45]

Idiocy + handguns is a bad mix. I hope it was only a .22 plinker and he lives in an area he can safely shoot it.

[Tinelement]

I was giving a handgun at like 16 yrs old.

I also knew/know firearm safety.

But I'm just a redneck from the Midwest.

What about our underage troops serving? Does the handgun law still apply? I
seriously ask that question cause I don't know.

[Irving]

He is in the clear, and no law was violated unless he can't own for some other reason.

[Gunner]

Just depends on the person.

But in the state of Colorado at the age of 18 you can have a handgun and buy from a Private party. No laws are being broken.

[sniper7]

18 is legal to own for handguns. 21 to purchase from FFL.

might want to express your concerns with the family and tell them he has a handgun and you think for the safety of the other children he needs to keep it locked up and they should be responsible for the supervision of the handgun. if they are unable you should express your willingness to keep it safely locked up and take him shooting so he can learn the fundamentals of safety.

buying a kid a handgun and expecting him to do the right thing and learn safety on his own is the last thing he needs and the last thing that will happen. here is your chance to step up and make a great positive difference in this kids life....potentially saving others, but more than likely making a lifelong safety conscious shooter.

If you decide not to do anything at this point and god forbid something ever did happen I can see how you would put some blame on yourself for not stepping up to the plate when the opportunity arose. at a minimum by voicing your thoughts to the parents. The ultimate responsibility is in their hands and the young adult, but the ultimate failure of that responsibility can very deeply affect the younger children in the home.

[CO-SpAr72]

Sorry im late to the party on this thread but I thought it was illegal to purchase a firearm for another person? How did he legally purchase the firearm for his nephew?

[redneck122]

You can legally purchase a firearm with the intent to gift it to another individual as long as they are not a prohibited person.