Thread: How old does a person have to be to buy or trade a handgun?

This question was asked today, and I want to verify what I believed to be true. How old does a person have to be to buy, sell, or trade a handgun? If it's different based on state (OR, WA, ID), please be specific.

166.470 Limitations and conditions for sales of firearms. (1) Unless relief has been granted under ORS 166.274, 18 U.S.C. 925(c) or the expunction laws of this state or an equivalent law of another jurisdiction, a person may not intentionally sell, deliver or otherwise transfer any firearm when the transferor knows or reasonably should know that the recipient:
(a) Is under 18 years of age;

Source: http://www.leg.state.or.us/ors/166.html

Thank you, that's what I believed as well. I had a person PM me today and tell me he contacted the OSP firearms division as well as the Portland ATF office and they both told him you absolutely had to be 21 years of age or older to purchase a handgun, period.

In Oregon, an 18 year old can purchase a handgun through a private seller so long as the private seller is not an FFL holder.

Source: Oregon Firearms Federation | FAQ's. A Gun Owner's Guide In The Beaver State

Good luck getting a private party to sell an 18 year old a pistol though.

Dang, too late.

For WA it's 18 with specific restrictions until 21. If I recall correctly an ffl can only sell a handgun to someone 21+ so it would have to be private sale.

RCW 9.41.240
Possession of pistol by person from eighteen to twenty-one.

Unless an exception under RCW 9.41.042, 9.41.050, or 9.41.060 applies, a person at least eighteen years of age, but less than twenty-one years of age, may possess a pistol only:

(1) In the person's place of abode;

(2) At the person's fixed place of business; or

(3) On real property under his or her control

That's good guys, I'm happy you're posting this stuff. This needs to be discussed in order to spread correct information and dis-spell misinformation.

Idaho:

Idaho 18-3302A

TITLE 18
CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS
CHAPTER 33
FIREARMS, EXPLOSIVES AND OTHER DEADLY WEAPONS
18-3302A.SALE OF WEAPONS TO MINORS. It shall be unlawful to directly or indirectly sell to any minor under the age of eighteen (18) years any weapon without the written consent of the parent or guardian of the minor. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine not in excess of one thousand dollars ($1,000), by imprisonment in the county jail for a term not in excess of six (6) months, or by both such fine and imprisonment. As used in this section, "weapon" shall mean any dirk, dirk knife, bowie knife, dagger, pistol, revolver or gun.

I would suggest that any one with questions about Oregon gun laws pruchase Kevin Starrett's book Understanding Oregon's Gun Laws.It will answer any question that I have seen posted on this forum.