Age and Owning guns?

[Bob45]

My son is 20 and is moving out of our house and into his own place. He has several guns, a 22 rifle, a couple shotguns, a muzzleloader and a pistol. All of these guns were purchased by me from various gun stores. Is he legally allowed to own them? Should I do some paperwork to transfer them to him? Am I legally responsible for these guns since the paperwork will show them purchased by me? Thanks

 

[shibumiseeker]

Assuming he is not a felon or convicted of domestic violence or under a restraining order, he is legally allowed to own all of them and you are not required to do any paperwork to transfer them to him.

 

[Maximinus Thrax]

There is no gun registry in IN. You're free to give those guns to whoever you want. The one legally responsible for the firearms is the one who owns/possesses them at the time of something happening.

 

[Slawburger]

If he is 18 or over and not otherwise legally prohibited (serious violent felon, domestic battery, etc) then he can own and possess firearms.

If you are both Indiana residents then you may "gift" the firearms to him without paperwork.

 

[Bob45]

Great. I was just wondering about the pistol. He doesn't have his permit at this time, and I am still a little confused because Ive been told you cant buy a handgun until you are 21. Is this correct that you can own one and carry it with a permit but not buy it?

 

[Slawburger]

Other things to note:

He can apply for an LTCH (License To Carry Handgun) at 18.
He cannot purchase another handgun from an FFL until he is 21.
He can purchase another handgun from a private party is he is over 18 (and not otherwise a prohibited person).

(I know you said he was 20, just referring to the age limits in the Indiana Code)

 

[Bob45]

Thank you very much. I need to get him to get his permit.

 

[Lectric102002]

Thank you very much. I need to get him to get his permit.

Especially since they are averaging less than 2 weeks now.

 

[ATM]

...and I am still a little confused because Ive been told you cant buy a handgun until you are 21...

This is a common misconception. The restriction is actually upon the seller in this case rather than the buyer.

Federal Firearms Licensees are prohibited from selling or transferring a handgun (or ammo for a handgun, whatever that means) to anyone under 21. That restriction does not apply to non-FFL sales, gifts, etc.

As noted, the age to purchase handguns is 18, but the above restriction limits their buying options to other residents within their state. Very few states have raised that age from 18.