age requirement for firearms. (apartment complex, house, purchase)

[booster9]

Hey guys, ive been trying to find out the age requirement for possessing a firearm. i just turned 19 years old, and just moved out of my parents house into an apartment complex closer to school.. theres alot of shady looking people that hang outside at night sometimes, and i think i would sleep alot better knowing i have some better protection than a kitchen knife. would i be allowed to own a handgun to keep in my room?

thanks guys

[theloneranger]

You may own a handgun at 18 but may not purchase one until you are 21, unless in a private sale, and you may not carry one unless you are 21 and have a Concealed Hangun License.

So if you can get someone who is older to purchase the gun for you, you may.

Shotguns may be legally purchased at 18 and I believe rifles as well.

[booster9]

thanks! do i have to go thru any legal crap if my dad buys me one?

[DaveG99]

nope

[momof2dfw]

Originally Posted by booster9

thanks! do i have to go thru any legal crap if my dad buys me one?

No, you can inherit all of the guns you want and no legal bs to bother with.

[txgolfer130]

If you're really that worried, then you shouldn't be looking at handguns. You should be looking at shotguns. If you're not familiar with guns in general, an auto-loader would be the best bet.

[Grainraiser]

If your looking for home protection a 12ga pump shotgun is going to be your best bet for two reason. The sound of a round being pumped will freeze anyone in there tracks. With a shot gun it's just a matter of pointing in the perps direction and pulling the trigger.

[ETex2]

Originally Posted by txgolfer130

If you're really that worried, then you shouldn't be looking at handguns. You should be looking at shotguns. If you're not familiar with guns in general, an auto-loader would be the best bet.

Ooh...whole new can of worms here.

But if you really want a handgun, a revolver and not a semi-auto would be better if you're not familiar with guns in general. I also recommend a pump shotgun if you go that route, since just the sound of racking a shell into the chamber often will scare off intruders or bad guys.

[DaveG99]

take a course on firearm safety. It could save your life.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

The thing about a shotgun is that you don't have to do more that point it in the direction of someone and you will hit them - no aiming skill is needed. But you also may not hit them badly enough to stop them.

The whole point of home defense is to not ever have to get to the point of needing to shoot someone. I like a gun with a laser sight. Seeing that red dot moving on them is a good deterrent - they can't see in the dark to know what kind of gun you've got, whether a .22 or a 9-mil.