Guys, guys, guys,
I feel like I'm spitting into the wind here.
Now that I'm home I can look up some legal info concerning this issue.
1. It is illegal (Federal Law) for any FFL dealer to Sell a handgun to anyone under 18.
(See:
http://www.atf.treas.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/2000_ref.htm)
2. It is illegal under Federal Law for anyone under 18 to Possess a handgun or handgun ammo except under very limited circumstances.
(See:
http://www.atf.treas.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/i53002.pdf)
3. It is illegal under Utah State law for anyone under 18 to Possess a handgun unless he has permission from a parent or guardian.
(See
http://www.nraila.org/research/19990716-FirearmLawSummary-022.html)
I hate to beat a point home but until Ding is 18 the only persons who can purchase a handgun is Ding's parents. And even if he is allowed to use a handgun purchased by his parents he can only be given the handgun at the range if:
1. He has his parent's WRITTEN permission.
2. He keeps it on his person at all times he possesses the handgun.
Ding - My recommendation to you is the following:
1. Get proficient on a .22 rifle, you can't go wrong with that.
2. With your parent's permission, become a member of a shooting club or group.
3. After being a member for a while see if a senior member of the group can be a mentor for you. Have him speak to your parents. If you want to shoot a handgun you can then do it under his direct supervision.
Good Luck, I hope you enjoy the shooting sports as much as I do. But remember, this is not the 1950's. Since 1968 laws have been put in place that put someone such as you in a dangerous position in regard to firearm laws.
Federal laws: 18 USC 922(x):
(x)(1) It shall be unlawful for a person to sell, deliver, or otherwise transfer to a person who the transferor knows or has reasonable cause to believe is a juvenile --
(A) a handgun; or
(B) ammunition that is suitable for use only in a handgun.
(2) It shall be unlawful for any person who is a juvenile to knowingly possess --
(A) a handgun; or
(B) ammunition that is suitable for use only in a handgun.
(3) This subsection does not apply to --
(A) a temporary transfer of a handgun or ammunition to a juvenile or to the possession or use of a handgun or ammunition by a juvenile if the handgun and ammunition are possessed and used by the juvenile --
(i) in the course of employment, in the course of ranching or farming related to activities at the residence of the juvenile (or on property used for ranching or farming at which the juvenile, with the permission of the property owner or lessee, is performing activities related to the operation of the farm or ranch), target practice, hunting, or a course of instruction in the safe and lawful use of a handgun;
(ii) with the prior written consent of the juvenile's parent or guardian who is not
prohibited by Federal, State, or local law from possessing a firearm, except --
(I) during transportation by the juvenile of an unloaded handgun in a locked container
directly from the place of transfer to a place at which an activity described in clause (i) is to take place and transportation by the juvenile of that handgun, unloaded and in a locked container, directly from the place at which such an activity took place to the transferor; or
(II) with respect to ranching or farming activities as described in clause (i), a juvenile may possess and use a handgun or ammunition with the prior written approval of the juvenile's parent or legal guardian and at the direction of an adult who is not prohibited by Federal, State or local law from possessing a firearm;
(iii) the juvenile has the prior written consent in the juvenile's possession at all times when a handgun is in the possession of the juvenile; and (iv) in accordance with State and local law;
(B) a juvenile who is a member of the Armed Forces of the United States or the National
Guard who possesses or is armed with a handgun in the line of duty;
(C) a transfer by inheritance of title (but not possession) of a handgun or ammunition to a juvenile; or
(D) the possession of a handgun or ammunition by a juvenile taken in defense of the juvenile or other persons against an intruder into the residence of the juvenile or a residence in which the juvenile is an invited guest.
(4) A handgun or ammunition, the possession of which is transferred to a juvenile in
circumstances in which the transferor is not in violation of this subsection shall not be
subject to permanent confiscation by the Government if its possession by the juvenile
subsequently becomes unlawful because of the conduct of the juvenile, but shall be returned to the lawful owner when such handgun or ammunition is no longer required by the Government for the purposes of investigation or prosecution.
(5) For purposes of this subsection, the term "juvenile" means a person who is less than 18
years of age.
(6)(A) In a prosecution of a violation of this subsection, the court shall require the
presence of a juvenile defendant's parent or legal guardian at all proceedings.
(B) The court may use the contempt power to enforce subparagraph (A).
(C) The court may excuse attendance of a parent or legal guardian of a juvenile defendant at a proceeding in a prosecution of a violation of this subsection for good cause shown.
