Can i join IDPA at 19

[Venus Pax]

You would be considered a junior member until age 21, and your parent or legal guardian will need to sign the application form and waiver (http://www.idpa.com/Documents/appwinfo.pdf) with you, as well as having a third person sign as a witness.

Skiprr, I'm not bashing you for this; I know you're the messenger...
but it has always bothered me that a person between the ages of 18 & 21 can fight for their country and can be tried as an adult in court, but cannot purchase and consume an alcholic beverage or purchase a firearm without parental consent.

[Jeremae]

Actually Venus,

18-20 year olds (in Texas) can purchase any legal firearm from an individual in a private sale and any legal long gun from an FFL. Only BATF regulations restrict FFLs from selling handguns to under 21.

The other problem comes from the restriction on selling handgun ammunition to under 21. Of course there are several carbines that use 9mm Luger and 45 acp ammo. Also the restriction does not include ammunition components used for reloading.

[seamusTX]

Don't tell Academy about age restrictions on ammo.

I was buying ammo at Academy one day when a new cashier was being trained. The trainer told the trainee that people have to be age 18 or older to buy ammo.

- Jim

[casselthief]

The other problem comes from the restriction on selling handgun ammunition to under 21.

That would be the only real problem I see.
some girl that works at the Bullet Trap was arguing the side that under 21 couldn't "possess" a hand gun blah blah blah...

anyway, the WalMart in Lewisville has taken to saying that if you don't have a Texas DL, they won't sell you the ammo. My ol' lady is recently converted from Minnesota, but has yet to get her DL (them lines at the DMV are a killa!!), and this ole geezer wouldn't sell her a box of range .380. so, I, standing right there had to purchase it.
I swear, people are just ignant.

[Skiprr]

Skiprr, I'm not bashing you for this; I know you're the messenger... but it has always bothered me that a person between the ages of 18 & 21 can fight for their country and can be tried as an adult in court, but cannot purchase and consume an alcholic beverage or purchase a firearm without parental consent.

I'd never accuse you of bashing me. In fact, I had my "minority disabilities" legally removed when I was 17 so I could execute binding contracts and manage my family's affairs. I wouldn't hesitate to allow the 17-year-old me a handgun and ammunition. He may not be as wise as I am now, but he had a more agile mind, a better memory, and was a lot better looking.

On the flip side, why is 50 "senior"? In IDPA, you have no choice: you're 50 or over, you're a senior shooter. AARP membership starts at 50. Hello-o. It's the "American Association of Retired Persons". Who can retire at 50?

At 50-something, I don't feel "senior" yet. But I wouldn't go back to 17, either.

[hi-power]

My ol' lady is recently converted from Minnesota

"Yah, real good now." "You're darned tootin'!"

Sorry, I had a Fargo flashback.

Seriously, tell her welcome from a fellow Minnesotan! I was born and raised in Bloomington.