3. FEDERAL AGE RESTRICTIONS
Federal law prohibits Federal firearms licensees from selling or delivering any firearm or ammunition to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than 18 years of age, and, if the firearm is other than a shotgun or rifle, or ammunition for a shotgun or rifle, to any individual who the licensee knows or has reasonable cause to believe is less than 21 years of age. (18 U.S.C. 922(b)(1), 27 CFR 478.99(b)(1).)
Ammunition interchangeable between rifles and handguns (such as .22 caliber rimfire) may be sold to an individual 18 years of age, but less than 21, if the licensee is satisfied that the ammunition is being acquired for use in a rifle.
Additionally, it generally is unlawful for a person to transfer a handgun to a juvenile (a person less than 18 years of age) and it generally is unlawful for a juvenile to possess a handgun. Exceptions are provided for the transfer of a handgun to and possession by a juvenile for the purposes of employment, ranching, farming, target practice or hunting as provided for in 18 U.S.C. 922(x).
Pursuant to regulations at 27 CFR 478.103, ATF distributes posters to licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealers that caution against the transfer of handguns to juveniles, as well as the possession of handguns by juveniles, in violation of 18 U.S.C. 922(x). The regulations require licensees to display the posters on their premises. Some licensees erroneously interpreted the poster to mean that they may now lawfully transfer handguns to any person over 17 years of age. Enactment of section 922(x) making it unlawful to sell handguns to juveniles (persons under 18 years of age) and for juveniles to possess handguns did not alter section 922(b)(1) of the GCA that continues to prohibit licensees from transferring handguns to persons under 21 years of age.
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