(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Before I start, I want to say that I am not really trying to open up the discussion of an individuals right to bear arms, including what age at which a person may exercise that right. However I realize that discussion may come up. If so, please be respectful. This is a topic many people have very strong feelings on. Lets keep the hate and personal attacks out of this thread.

So I live in Indiana. I am 18 years old. In June of 2015, I discovered that I was able to apply for my License to Carry a Handgun (LTCH). I thought I had to be 21, but after filling out my application, paying my fees, and waiting, I received my LTCH in August. I don't carry much, but I have before and it is nice to know I have the legal option of doing so. When I turned 18, my Dad gave me his .357 magnum revolver, which was passed to him by his older brother. So I have never bought a firearm. This past Christmas, my dad told me that he really needed to replace his personal carry ammunition, as it was old (unsafely so). I went to our local gun dealer, and had a discussion with one of the salesmen about what he was looking for, and after about 30 mins of debating, I decided what to get him. Come to find out when I tried to buy the ammo, I cannot purchase handgun ammo until I am 21, despite having a LTCH. After research, I also discovered I am unable to purchase handguns until I am 21.

To me, this is some seriously flawed logic. I have the legal right to carry a handgun, but cannot technically purchase/own one. My .357 is still in my Dad's name and we were planning on getting it transferred to my name. However, after my discovery, we obviously had to put this off until I am 21. Now the law to carry a handgun was changed from 21 to 18 within the past year, so it is entirely possible that uniformity in the laws simply hasn't happened yet. However this seriously bothered me. Knowing I can't purchase ammo, this also means I cannot go out and practice shooting without my Dad or another adult with me, despite the fact that I can legally carry my gun. It makes no logical sense. I realize I am in a minority since not many people in Indiana have a LTCH who are under 18, but the point in this thread was to ask, is there something I am simply not seeing? What logic justifies an 18 year old being allowed to carry a loaded gun, but not being able to purchase the ammo for it?

Laws like this make me laugh a lot. I do recall awhile back that you had gotten your conceal carry permit and when you told me you were 18 I was blown away, figuratively of course. Honestly, it's probably one of those things where your state officials lowered the age to possess but either forgot about the other laws or they are experiencing some stonewalling from people who don't think you should be allowed to purchase a handgun and ammo until you are 21. This reminds me of the whole shindig about being able to enlist at 18 years of age, but you can't purchase alcohol until you're 21. Regardless, what you are experiencing is the stupidity of the thousands of laws on the books regarding firearms. Unfortunately, people don't realize adding more is not the answer.

You must login or register to view this content.
Image is 5 years old though

Lmfao. That's unbelievably stupid. I guess you could apply that same principle to purchasing 5.7x28 ammo seeing how the P/PS90 uses it. Hell, you could even go as far as 9mm ammo. Well you see I have an AR-15 that shoots 9mm so technically I'm not purchasing this for a handgun. I think we can agree that 90% of the laws already on the books are asinine and more won't help.

I think the law should go to 21 to carry a gun so at least the person can mature a bit more. The person can attain a license after going to gun school for like a week. Teaching them the importance or whatnot. Now, I wish ammo didn't have to almost always kill people but this might sound like a stupid idea. People who are not police officers or whatnot, should have ammo that puts the victim to sleep, instead inflicting grave wounds. I don't know, my logic on guns is not that good, because I know criminals don't give af.