Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Guns and Ammo => Topic started by: Recurve-Elk on March 07, 2011, 04:02:01 PM

Title: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: Recurve-Elk on March 07, 2011, 04:02:01 PM: Hey guys! It's been awhile, been busy with school and college applications. I turned 18 last month, and this means I can buy ammo! Or so I think. I was reading that there is often a restriction on handgun loads. So here is my dilemma. I have a hi point 9mm carbine, and I don't know if I can legally buy 9mm rounds because it is considered a handgun round. Anyone know if I can buy 9mm ammo?

Shotgun and .22 rounds are fine for an 18 year old to buy right?

Thanks! Hope everyone has been doing well!
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: quadrafire on March 07, 2011, 04:06:26 PM: Not sure
Try calling a sporting good store to see if they have restrictions.
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: cryfowl on March 07, 2011, 04:16:00 PM: 18 is the magic number.
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: bobcat on March 07, 2011, 04:45:27 PM: You have to be 21 to purchase handgun ammuniton, which includes 22 rimfire.

The age to purchase shotgun shells and rifle cartridges is 18.
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: machine on March 07, 2011, 04:47:59 PM: 21 for 9mm
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 07, 2011, 04:54:53 PM: Quote from: cryfowl on March 07, 2011, 04:16:00 PM
18 is the magic number.

Show me in RCW where it says you need to be 18 to purchase ammunition of any kind.

Local towns and municipalities may impose an age limit, but to my knowledge Washington state does not have a law restricting the sale of any ammunition to minors.

Stores may have policy. But not law that I'm aware of. Stores in Whatcom county have sold shot shells to my 16yr old throughout the year. While that is not tipically handgun ammunition, he has also purchased rimfire ammunition that could be fired in a handgun or rifle. So, to be a law against selling handgun ammunition to a minor yet allow rifle or shot ammunition to be sold to a minor would certainly struck down in the courts as there are many long guns that are chambered for traditionally referenced handgun ammunition.

-Steve
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: bobcat on March 07, 2011, 05:04:46 PM: I think Steve is right. I don't know what I was thinking when I said 18 was minimum age for rifle and shotgun ammo. I used to buy shotgun shells all the time when I was under 18. Not sure about handgun ammo though. It very well could be just store policies that require one to be 21 in order to purchase handgun ammuntion. I remember a couple times when I was under 21 and went to buy 22 ammo and was turned down because they said I had to be 21 to purchase "handgun" ammuntion. (even though it may have been for a 22 rifle)
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: Recurve-Elk on March 07, 2011, 05:10:10 PM: Dang, I am confused now.

This sucks if I can't get the 9mm. Because at CWU (Where I am planning to attend school) You can store your guns at the police station, but can't store ammo. Can't store ammo on campus either, So you have to buy ammo as you need it. So essentially there is no way for me to get ammo. Unless I wan't to drive 2 hours to pick some up from home, but that wouldn't be economical as I would have to use it all because I have no way to store it.

Bummer.

I guess Ill just have to ask a company that sells ammo to get an affirmative.
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: washelkhntr on March 07, 2011, 05:12:56 PM: Under federal law, it is illegal to sell (1) long gun ammunition to anyone under age 18 and (2) handgun ammunition to anyone under age 21 (18 USC 922(b)(1), 27 CFR 478. 99(b)). According to BATF, a licensee may sell interchangeable ammunition such as a . 22 cal. rimfire to a person less than age 21 (but age 18 or older) if the dealer is satisfied that the ammunition is for use in a rifle. If the ammunition is intended for use in a handgun, the 21-year-old minimum age requirement applies.

18 USC 922:
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/h...2----000-.html (http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/h...2----000-.html)

27 CFR 478.99
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...7cfr478.99.htm (http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...7cfr478.99.htm)

Clear as mud
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: boots on March 07, 2011, 05:36:37 PM: Must be 21 to buy handgun ammo, 18 for the others.

The Bi-mart in Ellensburg IDs for all ammunition purchases
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: Recurve-Elk on March 07, 2011, 05:41:42 PM: Quote from: washelkhntr on March 07, 2011, 05:12:56 PM
According to BATF, a licensee may sell interchangeable ammunition such as a . 22 cal. rimfire to a person less than age 21 (but age 18 or older) if the dealer is satisfied that the ammunition is for use in a rifle.

18 USC 922:
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/h...2----000-.html (http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/h...2----000-.html)

27 CFR 478.99
http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...7cfr478.99.htm (http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2...7cfr478.99.htm)

Clear as mud

So this means they "could" sell 9mm because it is interchangeable. I will call the ellensburg bi mart and ask, this is killing me.

edit - Tried to call, nobody answered. Ill try again later.

PS upon further research, I have read that 9mm can be sold to 18 year olds because it is considered interchangeable. If the 18 year old can supply proof that it is for a rifle, Such as the rifle manual. It is also very subject to the stores policy. Some will take proof and sell 9mm, some won't.
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: boots on March 07, 2011, 07:16:08 PM: Quote from: Recurve-Elk on March 07, 2011, 05:41:42 PM

So this means they "could" sell 9mm because it is interchangeable. I will call the ellensburg bi mart and ask, this is killing me.

edit - Tried to call, nobody answered. Ill try again later.

PS upon further research, I have read that 9mm can be sold to 18 year olds because it is considered interchangeable. If the 18 year old can supply proof that it is for a rifle, Such as the rifle manual. It is also very subject to the stores policy. Some will take proof and sell 9mm, some won't.

I currently go to CWU and from my personal experience Bi-Mart will ID on 9mm ammo (i tried when I was underage). You may be looking into it too much. you will undoubtedly meet people that are over 21 that will not have a problem buying it for you.....as well as any other product that may have an age limit of 21 :chuckle:
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: Bob33 on March 07, 2011, 07:33:17 PM: Here is the official ATF link: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/licensees-conduct-of-business.html#age-requirements (http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/licensees-conduct-of-business.html#age-requirements)

Q: Does a customer have to be a certain age to buy firearms or ammunition from a licensee?
Yes. Under the GCA, long guns and long gun 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 478.99(b)]
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 07, 2011, 09:47:19 PM: Damn federal law! :'(

-Steve
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: carpsniperg2 on March 07, 2011, 10:13:47 PM: Now we know for sure :IBCOOL: Thanks Bob!
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: CP on March 08, 2011, 11:26:47 AM: 18 if you use it in a rifle
21 if you use it in a handgun

9mm can be used in either a rifle or a handgun, so if they ask what you are going to shoot it out of you answer …
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: JackOfAllTrades on March 08, 2011, 06:14:40 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on March 07, 2011, 10:13:47 PM
Now we know for sure :IBCOOL: Thanks Bob!
:yeah:

I'll admit, not something I keep current on. I haven't purchased anything other than rimfire ammo over the counter in ore than 25 years. 'Components', is a different story though! :chuckle:

-Steve
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: bobcat on March 08, 2011, 06:38:22 PM: Quote from: JackOfAllTrades on March 08, 2011, 06:14:40 PM
I'll admit, not something I keep current on. I haven't purchased anything other than rimfire ammo over the counter in ore than 25 years. 'Components', is a different story though! :chuckle:

Same here. But it's not because I don't ever buy ammo- it's because it's been 22 years since I've been 21. :yike:
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: sportsbud on March 10, 2011, 04:00:19 AM: I wounder so if we say the ammo is for use in say a hipoint 995 carbine would they let us? as I know some people that have hipoint carbines, and I wouldn't mind being able to get ammo to shoot it.
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: oneezreiter on March 10, 2011, 05:14:32 AM: Since you are using it a carbine it would be legal to buy, your best bet may be to talk to some of the non chain gun stores and explain what you're shooting. They just have to be seasonably satisfied=ed that you are using it in a rifle.
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: MHWASH on March 10, 2011, 05:44:42 AM: Wal-Mart used to ask if it was for a longon or handgun.
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: sportsbud on March 10, 2011, 05:55:18 AM: Quote from: MHWASH on March 10, 2011, 05:44:42 AM
Wal-Mart used to ask if it was for a longon or handgun.

I work at walmart and for .22lr it asks that but when you ring up 9mm luger or .45acp or other interchangeable ammo it says "is the customer 21?" so that is the policy. (personally im a cashier and if the kid says it is for a carbine I would sell it to him since that is legal...)
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: Recurve-Elk on March 10, 2011, 06:57:43 PM: Hmm well sounds like it is a store to store kind of a deal. I guess Ill just walk in to some store and give it a shot. I could ask this, "what kind of 9mm ammo would you recommend for a carbine?" That would at least make them aware right off the bat its not for a pistol.
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: bobcat on March 10, 2011, 07:14:35 PM: That's kind of a stupid rule, where if the customer just has to say it's for a rifle then the ammo can be sold, but if they say it's for a pistol it can't. Do they also take the customer's word for it when they say they are 18, or 21, or do they ask for proof?

I don't know anybody who has 9mm rifle. I'd bet money that 99.99% of the ammunition sold in 9mm is for handguns and not rifles.
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: Suncrest Sniper on March 10, 2011, 07:36:10 PM: The rifle rule applies. My buddy bought a Hi-Point 9mm carbine and he's only 20. We went and bought 9mm ammo for my Ruger P95 and his carbine at the the Post Falls, ID Cabela's where he bought his carbine and they pulled the same crap on him. Once he said it was for his Hi-Point that he had bought from them a month ago they simply let him buy his ammo.

SS
Title: Re: Age to buy 9mm ammunition
Post by: rgalanti21 on March 18, 2011, 02:43:04 AM: 21 sadly