Concealed carry under age?

PFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:21:38 -0400

In my home state (and i beleive it's also federal law) to obtain a concealed cary license you have to be 21 years old. Should there be a waiver for that requirement if the individual is an active duty or current reserve military member? Does this seem like a fair compromise? Or is this unfair to civilian?

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 4 at 2015 12:26 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:26:45 -0400

Absolutely. If a person is mature enough to carry a weapon into combat they are mature enough to carry a pistol to the corner store.

Response by Sgt Jay Jones made Jun 4 at 2015 12:28 AM

Sgt Jay Jones — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:28:13 -0400

Screw civilians. They haven't had the training that the military receives in handling weapons and firearms. Nor, have many of them been trained on how to control their emotions and let training take over in a aggressive engagement.

Nor, did those civilians raise their hands and agree to put their life in harms way to protect this country.

If they want to carry and are under the age of 21, get some gonads and raise you right hand and put your life on the line!

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 4 at 2015 12:36 AM

Capt Seid Waddell — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:36:15 -0400

In Arizona where I grew up and in Kentucky where I live now, it is legal to open carry at age 18, but you must be 21 to carry concealed. When I was young in Arizona I believe one could open carry at 16, if memory serves.

The country has become paranoid since then.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 12:42 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:42:20 -0400

I don't think you should be able to enlist until 21. 18 is too young. This generation is too weak minded to use a gun in or out of service.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 4 at 2015 12:53 AM

Capt Mark Strobl — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 00:53:57 -0400

From a theoretical perspective, I agree with you. The military trains young people how to properly use firearms. From a functional perspective, it will never happen. In addition to constituent resistance, individual states will not tolerate additional bureaucracy of having to honor their neighboring states' laws --particularly on CC permits.

Response by SSG (ret) William Martin made Jun 4 at 2015 1:01 AM

SSG (ret) William Martin — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 01:01:16 -0400

Go for it. Petition your state.

Response by SGT Robert Hawks made Jun 4 at 2015 1:19 AM

SGT Robert Hawks — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 01:19:09 -0400

These young men and women are responsible enough to carry weapons into battle but not in their home states it does not make sense. The service will do what they did in the late eighties which was let the states decide the legal age for drinking. I went to basic training when I was 18 in 1984 at Fort Dix NJ and I could buy and drink beer at the enlisted mans club or bowling alley. By 1988 if you where not 21 you where not drinking anywhere on post. 18 your old enough to die for your country but not to drink or carry a gun.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 1:37 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 01:37:20 -0400

The federal laws only prevent a person under 21 from purchasing a handgun from an FFL. Both my older children have had their NH license to carry concealed since they were 18. I gifted them both handguns prior to that. In New Hampshire the law doesn’t state a minimum age. I know there was at least one case of a 16 year old getting a license.

Response by SGT Kevin Brown made Jun 4 at 2015 1:46 AM

SGT Kevin Brown — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 01:46:54 -0400

The 2nd Amendment is the only amendment (or any part of the constitution for that matter) were the word necessary is found, in "a well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State...". The Dick Act of 1903 identifies the reserve militia (or unorganized militia) as any able-bodied man between the ages of 17 and 45. Under that , one could make an argument for permits for younger people. With that said, the state laws that require a permit holder to be 21 years of age were made based on maturity level. Every civillian has the right to self defense, up to the use of a firearm to do so, but to carry a firearm (unless you live in a constitutional state) usually requires a background check, training and an above basic knowledge of firearm proficiency to obtain a permit to do so. Whether you agree with them or not, those laws exist to ensure at least some level of competency for those who choose to defend themselves with a firearm. I personally would love to see every state become constitutional states, however, the knowledge that there are many incompetent people out there also scares me.

Response by SGT Jeffrey Lofton made Jun 4 at 2015 2:58 AM

SGT Jeffrey Lofton — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 02:58:31 -0400

CA is 18 years of age and AZ is 21 years of age to qualify for CCW. Good luck in CA to get anyone to approve you for a CCW card. I believe at 21yrs in AZ you have a better chance of getting a CCW. In AZ you can open carry at 18 yrs of age.

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 4 at 2015 3:49 AM

PO2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 03:49:47 -0400

No, being in the military should not afford you special rights denied to general public. That's like saying 18 year old waiters and waitresses should get a waver to legally drink because they deal with alcohol at work.

Response by SGM Erik Marquez made Jun 4 at 2015 12:03 PM

SGM Erik Marquez — Thu, 04 Jun 2015 12:03:23 -0400

A: Not federal law
B: Many states, included my current one of Texas have a military exception for active duty,,18, 19, 20 year olds can be given a CHL if all other requirements are met.
c: Yes I think old enough to serve should equal old enough to be granted a CHL, so long as all state requirements are met.

With that said, Im cautious knowing how I acted at 18, 19, 20 (if you ask my wife, 21, 22, 23~49)

In Texas, a CHL holder is the most law abiding demographic of ANY group. over law enforcement even and has been for all the years it's been tracked (2005)

Response by Sgt Packy Flickinger made Jun 7 at 2015 1:37 AM

Sgt Packy Flickinger — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 01:37:15 -0400

If you can carry a gun for the country and die by enemy bullets, I think you are entitled to carry one elsewhere.

Response by Cpl Matthew Wall made Jun 7 at 2015 8:54 PM

Cpl Matthew Wall — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 20:54:42 -0400

I think the military should be afforded a waiver for being in the military. Let's think about this. The average military member has had more training with weapons than most civilians who actually do have a concealed carry license. That is why when I got my concealed carry all I had to do was show my DD214 and that was it. Others had to take training and a test.

Response by Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. made Jul 26 at 2015 10:48 PM

Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. — Sun, 26 Jul 2015 22:48:23 -0400

Makes sense to me. When I entered the military in 1966, I was 19 & married; we were at war in Vietnam but until age 21 we could NOT VOTE, We also could NOT drink alcohol. When we reached our new duty stations after basic, the Senior Sgts knew this policy was crazy and invited us to after hour controlled keg parties. However, dying for our country was allowed.

Response by Taylor Brown made Jun 7 at 2018 1:54 PM

Taylor Brown — Thu, 07 Jun 2018 13:54:49 -0400

SGT Jay Jones have you ever owned a gun outside of our time in the military?

Response by Maj John Bell made May 5 at 2019 8:40 PM

Maj John Bell — Sun, 05 May 2019 20:40:37 -0400

Either you are an adult at 18, or you are not. Either you can be held accountable at 18 or you cannot. Why not give all adult rights at 21, or 25, or 35. Personally, I don't think people should be treated as adults until they are 58. Why 58...? Because I am 59, and the majority of you kids are making decisions I don't like.

Signed
Crotchety Old Bastard.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 6 at 2019 11:15 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Mon, 06 May 2019 23:15:48 -0400

First off, I have worked for a multi-state firearms retailer and I am also an NRA instructor. Firearms carry generally, and concealed firearms carry specially, addre not a federal issue. That is left up to each state to decide. Federal law does provide for minimum ages on firearms purchases; Handguns are 21 and long guns are 18. This is verified on ATF Form 4473.

In my state of Indiana, an 18 y/o can apply for a concealed carry permit.

I hope this helps.

Response by SGT Steve McFarland made May 27 at 2019 2:43 PM

SGT Steve McFarland — Mon, 27 May 2019 14:43:35 -0400

Maybe we shouldn't give driver's licenses to anyone under 21 either, since younger drivers account for a disproportionate number of MVA's...