Handgun question
 

I'm 13 and in the past my dad has bought me shotguns and long rifles. My grandpa has also passed on to me some shotguns and long rifles. My dad has 3 ar 15s. 1 to keep and 2 to sell. I was going to buy one from he but he thinks it is illegal for me to own it. I was also thinking about having my dad buy me a revolver but is it legal for me to own one? Btw I live in Illinois and I do have a foid card. Also the reason I want the revolver is to hunt deer.

Haven't you asked this question before?

Um... No? I have never even asked a question related to this...

No, its not legal to own a handgun under the age of 21.
Its not legal to own a long gun under the age of 18, in any state, that I'm aware of. At 13, you can't even buy ammunition for a handgun let alone a long gun.

From Illinois' FOID FAQs...

"In Illinois you must be at least 18 years of age to purchase a long gun and at least 21 years of age to purchase a handgun."

http://www.isp.state.il.us/foid/firearmsfaq.cfm

I'm sure Illinois has more strict laws but federally you CAN own a handgun but just can't buy 1. I thought the same way until I was proven wrong.

People are confusing the laws regarding PURCHASING firearms with the laws regarding OWNING firearms, and the laws regarding POSSESSING firearms. As defined by state and federal governments, these are 3 different capacities, and have different laws.

Purchasing is well defined: 18 to purchase long guns, 21 to purchase handguns. These laws are well prescribed by every state, and congruent with the federal mandates.

"Ownership" is basically a joke. Since there are no registeries, "ownership" is basically defined by possession and records of purchase. If I buy a gun, then hand it to my buddy and say that it's his gun then legally, it really is his, and henceforth he owns it. So there are, by and large, very few laws written about "owning" a gun.

Possession is the other area where a lot of laws exist. Since ownership is so ambiguous, and what you end up doing with the firearm is what really matters, the POSSESSION is the next regulatory fenceline. These are usually the laws that you have to follow closely as a minor, since you 1) can't buy it, 2) ownership is vague, and 3) you will find yourself possessing the firearms.

It is legal for a parent, in every state that I'm aware of, to purchase or "gift" any firearm to their child. Fairly certain that this extends to direct family members, i.e. grandparents as well, especially in the case of deceased inheritance.

It is not, however, legal, in any state that I'm aware of, for a minor child (under the age of 18) to possess a handgun without parental supervision or consent, and only then in the case of hunting or sporting competition, or in transit to said activities, or an officially sanctioned practice therefore said activities. 18yr olds are able to own and posess handguns for these purposes as well. Doesn't really make sense to make laws about ownership or possession anyway, considering in most states, you have to be over 12 to hunt solo, or in many states, over 16yrs old. You'd also have to be 15+ in most states to be able to drive yourself, or 16-18 in most states to be able to drive an ATV to go hunting. So the point is really moot.

Legally, minor children can't really "own" much of anything, and their property is considered to be that of the parents. Again, the "ownership" is really a moot point. If your parents say you can have it, or that it's yours, then it's yours for all intents and purposes, but legally, it's theirs until you're no longer a minor child, as with your TV, your bed, your house, etc.

As specific examples, I was given my first rifle at 10, my mom purchased my first handgun for me at ~13. I "owned" literally dozens of handguns purchased for me by my parents before I turned 18, the legal age to possess them alone, and 21, the legal age to buy them myself. (Fun fact - I bought 4 Ruger Single Six "Vaquerito" .32 H&R Mag revolvers on my 21st bday, to celebrate finally being legal to buy and trade without my parent's involvement).

So long story short, there are differences in the law for what a minor child can use, possess, "own," or purchase when it comes to firearms and handguns.

But yes, your parents, if they themselves are legally able to do so, can, in ANY state, purchase a handgun and let you use it, and call it yours, then when you come of age, even the state will recognize that it IS yours, based on you claiming and possessing it.

Okay but if I hunt solo with it and a game warden checks me will I be in trouble?

Go No Mercy!

the way I see it is if they give me a foid card to legaly own a gun im going to own one... im also 13

I'm not up to speed on the specific laws in Illinois (trying to remember off the top of my head if that's where you're from?), but yes, in most states if a 13yr old "gets caught" hunting with a handgun without parental, or at least adult, supervision, then they'd be in trouble.

Is 13 even old enough to hunt solo in Illinois? Seems like the law in KS (which is a pretty liberal state about such things) is that you must get a license at age 12, but can't hunt solo until 16, and cannot hunt solo with a handgun until 18. I'd be surprised if communist Illinois allows more lax laws than Kansas.

Simplest solution is to look at your states hunting regulations, call the DNR, and call your local sherriff's office.

Again, I come back to this: how does a 13yr old kid go hunting alone, legally? Can't drive, can't operate ATV's legally, etc etc... I used to ride my bike or ride horseback, but I'm guessing it's not a popular method. And again, it wasn't legal for me to be hunting solo. Never had problems with rangers/P&W enforcement officers, but then again, I knew all of them.

To be 100% to the point and blunt about this, the state doesn't care how you see it. The law is the law, and legally, a 13yr old really can't own jack squat, let alone a firearm. They give you a FOID card so you they can control who can handle/possess certain firearms (remember what I said about possession being the most important dictation of "ownership"?), but that doesn't mean you are "legally" able to own one, since you "legally" can't own much of anything. You're not a legal signor for contractual obligations, you're not a legal voter, you're not a legal driver... You're a minor child, the ward of your parents or legal guardians.

Ignoring those laws is really just a great way to get yourself in trouble, and your parents in trouble. Considering that the penalty for firearms violations/crimes in most states involves you NEVER being able to legally own a firearm again, I wouldn't run much risk by testing the waters. Follow the law.