Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins
Again, this is all state by state, and is all over the map. And laws have changed dramatically since we were kids.
Here in Washington, one must be 21 to "own" a handgun, 18 to "own" a rifle or shotgun. When I was a kid, I could "own" a rifle or shotgun at any age, but the law already stated that one had to be 21 to "own" handguns. I could "possess" a handgun if accompanied by an adult, like as a sidearm when out hunting, back packing, fishing a remote stream or lake, etc. I could not, however, "possess" one in town for any reason. "Ownership" and "possession" are two different things, legally speaking here in Washington.
When my sons were young, they could still legally "own" rifles or shotguns, so when given their .22 caliber Chipmunk rifles on their respective sixth Christmases, all was perfectly legal. Even at 12, they could legally "own" the rifles I gave them for deer hunting. Not anymore...
Nowadays that has changed a bit here in Washington. One must be 18 years of age to legally "own" a rifle or shotgun. Kids can legally "possess" rifles and shotguns, like when out hunting, or plinking, so long as they are accompanied by an adult who is of legal age to "own" those rifles.
With handguns the law was revised so that those under 21 years of age can only "possess" one at a shooting range when accompanied by an adult. Technically, if under 21, one can't "possess" a handgun anymore even while out hunting, back packing, or anywhere away from a formal range.
I'm sure other states are different.
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