Shooting age restrictions

[prgmti]

I visited a couple ranges in the Houston area that have rentals and was told I needed to be 21 or accompanied by someone that was 21 to shoot there, and a couple days later called Carter's country and was told I could shoot on their range regardless of age. Is it because rentals are available that they have that restriction, or is that a statewide thing?

[seamusTX]

Welcome to the forum.

Rules of this sort are all over the map. In some cases, ranges (or their legal advisers) are interpreting federal law about the purchases of handguns too strictly. People under 21 cannot buy a handgun from an FFL, but in Texas there is no restriction on possession of firearms based on age.

- Jim

[prgmti]

That's kinda what I figured, but wasn't entirely sure. I guess I'll just have to stick to Carter's for now. Thanks for the help!

[Jeremae]

some ranges require under 21 to shoot with one of us old fogies because of their(the range's) insurance...

[DParker]

Welcome to the forum.

Rules of this sort are all over the map. In some cases, ranges (or their legal advisers) are interpreting federal law about the purchases of handguns too strictly. People under 21 cannot buy a handgun from an FFL, but in Texas there is no restriction on possession of firearms based on age.

- Jim

Of course there are firearms possession restrictions based on age in TX. From Title 10 of the Texas Penal Code:

§ 46.13. MAKING A FIREARM ACCESSIBLE TO A CHILD.
(a) In this section:
(1) "Child" means a person younger than 17 years of age.
(2) "Readily dischargeable firearm" means a firearm that is loaded with ammunition, whether or not a round is in the chamber.
(3) "Secure" means to take steps that a reasonable person would take to prevent the access to a readily dischargeable firearm by a child, including but not limited to placing a firearm in a locked container or temporarily rendering the firearm inoperable by a trigger lock or other means.
(b) A person commits an offense if a child gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm and the person with criminal negligence:
(1) failed to secure the firearm; or
(2) left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access.
(c) It is an affirmative defense to prosecution under this section that the child's access to the firearm:
(1) was supervised by a person older than 18 years of age and was for hunting, sporting, or other lawful purposes;
(2) consisted of lawful defense by the child of people or property;
(3) was gained by entering property in violation of this code; or
(4) occurred during a time when the actor was engaged in an agricultural enterprise.
(d) Except as provided by Subsection (e), an offense under this section is a Class C misdemeanor.
(e) An offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor if the child discharges the firearm and causes death or serious bodily injury to himself or another person.
(f) A peace officer or other person may not arrest the actor before the seventh day after the date on which the offense is committed if:
(1) the actor is a member of the family, as defined by Section 71.003, Family Code, of the child who discharged the firearm; and
(2) the child in discharging the firearm caused the death of or serious injury to the child.
(g) A dealer of firearms shall post in a conspicuous position on the premises where the dealer conducts business a sign that contains the following warning in block letters not less than one inch in height:

"IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE, TRANSPORT, OR ABANDON AN UNSECURED FIREARM IN A PLACE WHERE CHILDREN ARE LIKELY TO BE AND CAN OBTAIN ACCESS TO THE FIREARM."

[seamusTX]

That law makes it an offense to allow a minor child access to a weapon, other than for certain lawful purposes. It does not make it an offense for the child to have the weapon.

Nothing in the penal code makes possessing a weapon an offense, based on age.

There is a provision in federal law saying that minors must have their parents' written permission to shoot a handgun, but it is enforced only when a criminal gives a weapon to a child for a criminal purpose.

- Jim

[DParker]

That law makes it an offense to allow a minor child access to a weapon, other than for certain lawful purposes. It does not make it an offense for the child to have the weapon.

Nothing in the penal code makes possessing a weapon an offense, based on age.

There is a provision in federal law saying that minors must have their parents' written permission to shoot a handgun, but it is enforced only when a criminal gives a weapon to a child for a criminal purpose.

- Jim

You said that in TX there are no firearms possession restrictions based on age. I did not say it was a criminal offense for anyone under n years of age to possess a firearm, nor any other such blanket statement. I simply demonstrated that your blanket statement was factually incorrrect, and that there most certainly are age-dependant restrictions regarding firearms possession.

[seamusTX]

PC § 46.13 has nothing to do with why ranges won't allow people under 21 to shoot alone.

- Jim

[DParker]

PC § 46.13 has nothing to do with why ranges won't allow people under 21 to shoot alone.

- Jim

Uh...I never said it did.

[Winston33]

I went to Red's Indoor range (south austin location) the other day with with my brother who is under 21 to shoot my new Kimber. Usually there's only a few sentences exchanged but this time they immediately asked for ID, and if we had been there before and what we would be shooting. They wouldnt let him even step onto the range - because I wasnt his legal guardian. I was stunned. They said it was a "new federal law" that cracks down on ranges. Ive been going there for years, and I've even bought a couple of guns there. Needless to say I was very aggravated. Ill be going to some of the less by the book, letter of the law, in your face, ranges from now on.

[seamusTX]

They wouldnt let him even step onto the range - because I wasnt his legal guardian. I was stunned. They said it was a "new federal law" that cracks down on ranges.

Is this a place that makes you buy their ammunition? If so, they have a point. They cannot sell handgun ammunition to someone who is under 21.

I'm not aware of any "new federal law." 18 USC 922 hasn't been amended since the 'NICS improvements" last year. You can view the entire law here: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/us ... -000-.html

- Jim

[NcongruNt]

They wouldnt let him even step onto the range - because I wasnt his legal guardian. I was stunned. They said it was a "new federal law" that cracks down on ranges.

Is this a place that makes you buy their ammunition? If so, they have a point. They cannot sell handgun ammunition to someone who is under 21.

I'm not aware of any "new federal law." 18 USC 922 hasn't been amended since the 'NICS improvements" last year. You can view the entire law here: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/18/us ... -000-.html

- Jim

No, you can shoot your own ammo at Red's. The only time they require you to use their ammo is with their rental guns.