Buying a rifle under 21?

D

Dilbert

New member
I went to a pawnshop today to see if they had anything and I saw a nice Russian SKS. I asked to take a look at it and the guy asked for ID, checked it and then told me I couldn't see the SKS. His reason was that "We can't sell assault weapons to anyon under 21. That's the law." I argued with him for a minute about it, where he brought up things like "that's why Jenson''s closed down" and "Other stores break the law but we don't. I can sell you a hunting rifle or shotgun but not an SKS with a 30 round magazine or an AK or an assault shotgun." Is this the law and if so when did it change or is this guy full of bull?
 
I think you just ran into "We reserve the right to refuse service to.........."
The thing that bugs me is why they don't have the guts to just come out and say it's against their policy intead of trying to blame it on someone else.:mad:
 
That's about what I figured. I guess the moral of the story is if you're ever in Tucson don't go to quick pawn on golf links.
 
The last time I looked you had to be 18 under federal law to buy a rifle and 21 to buy a handgun.

(F6) Does a customer have to be a certain age to buy firearms or ammunition
from a licensee?
Yes. Longguns and longgun ammunition may be sold only to persons 18
years of age or older. Sales of handguns and ammunition for handguns are
limited to persons 21 years of age and older. Although some State and local
ordinances have lower age requirements, dealers are bound by the minimum age
requirements established by the GCA. If State law or local ordinances
establish a higher minimum age, the dealer must observe the higher age
requirement.
[18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1), 27 CFR 178.99(b)]
Click to expand...

http://www.atf.gov/pub/fire-explo_pub/qa.pdf

however he still has the right to refuse your business. Plus if Arkansas state law forbids it.
 
Thanks Eghad, although I'm not in Arkansas anymore, I'm in Arizona now, I guess I should change that. I'm half tempted to print it out and go rub it in their faces.
 
Dilbert: A very wise man once told me that it just makes no sense to tell an idiot that he's an idiot. If the guy at the gun store were as smart as you, he'd probably be on your side of the counter.
 
I'm with the refuse service idea. He probably just got a weird vibe about you and decided he didn't want to sell it to you. You might call it discrimination, I call it gut instinct. Weather he was wrong or right about you is his legal right. He does not have to sell a gun to anyone he doesn't want to. No matter his reason. You're lucky he didn't say "Get the Hell out of here before I call the cops!" Guess whos side they would've taken? His, he reserves the right to refuse ANYONE service. Thank God.
 
Actually, it would depend on his reason for refusing service...

there are certain reasons that aren't legal. Look up Lester Maddox in GA and his place of business. I'm not sure the owner can just decide people of a certain age can't buy an SKS or any other rifle, how would you feel if he decided that age was under 35? or take it one step further... what if he decided only men can buy them... or another step... only people of a certain race?

But I agree... let it go. Spend your money somewhere else. When you argue with an idiot, folks on the other side of the street see one thing... two idiots arguing.
 
how would you feel if he decided that age was under 35? or take it one step further... what if he decided only men can buy them... or another step... only people of a certain race?
Click to expand...

Oh, puleeze! :rolleyes:

Jackass wont sell a kid an SKS and now we're at racisim? Give me a break.
 
It's probably a lot more likely that Jackass-behind-the-counter was just a jackass behind the counter. (With about the same education and i.q. of a jackass.) If his decision to not sell the sks to the guy because of the guy's age, when, in fact, the guy was of legal age, then the jackass was violating the guy's civil rights. Race has nothing to do with it.
 
The last time I looked you had to be 18 under federal law to buy a rifle and 21 to buy a handgun.
Click to expand...
This only applies to sales from FFL holders. State law may well allow private-party sales at a younger age.
 
Thank you for all the replies, now that I know it's legal I still wonder why this jackass wouldn't let me spend hard earned money in his store. Oh well, there's lots of other gun stores in Tucson.
 
In Minnesota you have to have a permit to acquire handguns and 'assault' weapons, and to get that you have to be 21. Catch 22.
 
Oh for the good old says, I was 12 yrs old. put 7.50 on the counter of a Westernfeilds and walked out with a 22 single shot and a box of shorts. that summer i shot many chucks while setting on my ponys back..1952
 
Check your state's laws and make sure this is not prohibited.
If not, call the ACLU and see if they would be willing to help.:D
 
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