Wanting to buy a gun

[txrandom]

I live in Texas and have read the rules on buying firearms, but I have some questions about them.

I'm only 18, so I can legally buy any gun available to civilians. I can't legally conceal handguns though because you must be 21 to obtain a CCW.

What does it mean by concealed? Can I still transport my handgun in a case by car and shoot it at a shooting range or on private property?

If I had any type of gun in my car and got pulled over, do I tell the cops I have an unloaded firearm on board, or keep my mouth shut?

Do apartment complexes (which are limited to students) forbid guns on their premises? Is that legal?


I'm probably going to borrow my Dad's gun until I get comfortable with them, and then I'll buy one I'm comfortable with. My Dad just hunts out of state, so he is unfamiliar with gun laws in Texas.

 

[spidey07]

Take the course, learn the rules/law, enjoy.

 

[txrandom]

You have to take a course to buy firearms?

I did hunter education a long time ago if that counts for anything.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: txrandom
You have to take a course to buy firearms?

I did hunter education a long time ago if that counts for anything.

No, I'm saying take the course so that you understand your state laws and are educated on your responsibility.

on getting pulled over - "officer, I have a loaded/unloaded weapon in the car" with your hands on the wheel.

 

[frodrick]

Keep your firearm unloaded and locked in one container and your ammunition locked in a separate container. Preferably in your trunk (always in your trunk? I'm not sure). If you get pulled over, keep both hands on the steering wheel or dash and say "Officer, before anything else, I'm on my way to the shooting range and have a locked and unloaded _____ in my trunk."

edit: the above applies to CA, not necessarily to TX as well.

 

[Nebor]

Federal law prohibits a licensed firearm dealer from transfering a handgun to anyone under 21 years of age.

Texas law allows anyone 18 and up to possess handguns, rifles, machine guns, grenade launchers, etc.

So you can't buy a handgun from a dealer, but you can buy one from another person. Or one can be given to you as a gift.

As far as carrying your handgun, Governor Perry just signed a bill this week allowing any Texan to keep a handgun concealed in their car, on their person on the walk to their car, or on their person on the way to their final destination from their car.

You cannot, however, stop in a restaurant to grab a bite to eat while carrying a concealed handgun, unless you have a CHL (concealed handgun license.)

Feel free to post follow up questions, since I've been carrying a concealed handgun since before it was even legal to do so in Texas.

 

[Kelvrick]

Originally posted by: Nebor
Federal law prohibits a licensed firearm dealer from transfering a handgun to anyone under As far as carrying your handgun, Governor Perry just signed a bill this week allowing any Texan to keep a handgun concealed in their car, on their person on the walk to their car, or on their person on the way to their final destination from their car.

Is that a loaded handgun? Damn, I need to move to Texas.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: frodrick
Keep your firearm unloaded and locked in one container and your ammunition locked in a separate container. Preferably in your trunk (always in your trunk? I'm not sure). If you get pulled over, keep both hands on the steering wheel or dash and say "Officer, before anything else, I'm on my way to the shooting range and have a locked and unloaded _____ in my trunk."

edit: the above applies to CA, not necessarily to TX as well.

Not true in Texas. The law has stated for a long time, that carrying any firearms while in transit to or participating any legitimate activity (ie: shooting range) you were permitted to keep your weapon loaded. It's a good idea too since a lot of people get robbed of their firearms on the way back from the gun range.

But now Texas recognizes our rights to carry loaded handguns at all times in our vehicles.

 

[txrandom]

So I can't buy a handgun from Academy, but I can buy a rifle or shotgun?

Also, do some stores have separate policies? I think you can't even buy BB or Airsoft at WalMart unless you are 18.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: txrandom
So I can't buy a handgun from Academy, but I can buy a rifle or shotgun?

Also, do some stores have separate policies? I think you can't even buy BB or Airsoft at WalMart unless you are 18.

You are correct. You can purchase rifles and shotguns, but not handguns. This is federal law.

 

[frodrick]

Originally posted by: NeborNot true in Texas. The law has stated for a long time, that carrying any firearms while in transit to or participating any legitimate activity (ie: shooting range) you were permitted to keep your weapon loaded. It's a good idea too since a lot of people get robbed of their firearms on the way back from the gun range.

But now Texas recognizes our rights to carry loaded handguns at all times in our vehicles.

which is why CA sucks. if only other places didn't have such poor weather.

 

[FallenHero]

It doesn't sound like you know a whole lot about firearms to begin with. I wouldn't start carrying until you go through some sort of safety/shooting course where you learn the basics as well as the laws in your state. Asking questions here is a good start, but it can only carry you so far. Honestly, you have to be very comfortable with the gun and able to actually conceal it fully.

 

[Nebor]

Next legislative session (they only come every other year here in Texas) we should see our new concealed carry bill go through, removing restrictions on many places currently banned for carry, most noteably university buildings.

 

[txrandom]

I don't plan on carrying one for at least 2 years since I'm almost 19. I've always been interested in guns, but the only time I'd use them was in Illinois sporadically.

 

[txrandom]

Originally posted by: Nebor
Next legislative session (they only come every other year here in Texas) we should see our new concealed carry bill go through, removing restrictions on many places currently banned for carry, most noteably university buildings.

Is this a reaction to the Virginia Tech shootings?

Texas A&M would be safe with all the country guys carrying their guns around...unless they get drunk.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: txrandom

Originally posted by: Nebor
Next legislative session (they only come every other year here in Texas) we should see our new concealed carry bill go through, removing restrictions on many places currently banned for carry, most noteably university buildings.

Is this a reaction to the Virginia Tech shootings?

Texas A&M would be safe with all the country guys carrying their guns around...unless they get drunk.

Texas A&M already issues letters of permission to CHL holders wishing to carry in university buildings. It's within the power of individual universities to grant that right currently. The new law will forbid universities from regulating concealed carry in university buildings.

But yes, it's a reaction to the VT shootings. Criminals attack people who can't fight back. That's why gun free zones have always been the location of mass killings. Ever hear about a shooting spree at the police station? The army base?

 

[Rebasxer]

While most states require you to be 18yrs of age to purchase a handgun, Federally the law stipulates that any handgun purchaser must be 21. The only way to get around this is to buy a handgun on private sale if you're under 21.

 

[gooseman]

You can find a lot of valuable information at Packing.org

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: txrandom
You have to take a course to buy firearms?

I did hunter education a long time ago if that counts for anything.

No, I'm saying take the course so that you understand your state laws and are educated on your responsibility.

on getting pulled over - "officer, I have a loaded/unloaded weapon in the car" with your hands on the wheel.

You have to tell officers that you have a weapon in the car in Texas? That sucks, you don't have to do that here. I don't tell them a damn thing unless they ask.

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: adairusmc

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: txrandom
You have to take a course to buy firearms?

I did hunter education a long time ago if that counts for anything.

No, I'm saying take the course so that you understand your state laws and are educated on your responsibility.

on getting pulled over - "officer, I have a loaded/unloaded weapon in the car" with your hands on the wheel.

You have to tell officers that you have a weapon in the car in Texas? That sucks, you don't have to do that here. I don't tell them a damn thing unless they ask.

Actually you just have to present your concealed handgun license if you're asked for identification and you're currently carrying a handgun.

Texas isn't the golden state of firearm laws (like Florida, the gunshine state.) Having tax stamps for your title 2 weapons won't keep you from getting arrested and your weapons confiscated. In Texas, your paperwork is only a defense to prosecution.

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: adairusmc

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: txrandom
You have to take a course to buy firearms?

I did hunter education a long time ago if that counts for anything.

No, I'm saying take the course so that you understand your state laws and are educated on your responsibility.

on getting pulled over - "officer, I have a loaded/unloaded weapon in the car" with your hands on the wheel.

You have to tell officers that you have a weapon in the car in Texas? That sucks, you don't have to do that here. I don't tell them a damn thing unless they ask.

I didn't say "have to". I just recommended the best course of action. Like I said, take the course and learn the laws of your state. Then there's that whole common sense thing that comes into play. Letting an officer know up front that you have a weapon in the car will go a long way. Then again, I have nothing to hide or be concerned about.

 

[Kelvrick]

On this same topic. Got my order from outdoormarksman today. Split an order of 3k with a coworker.

http://home.comcast.net/~kelvrick/2200.jpg

 

[adairusmc]

Originally posted by: Nebor

Originally posted by: adairusmc

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: txrandom
You have to take a course to buy firearms?

I did hunter education a long time ago if that counts for anything.

No, I'm saying take the course so that you understand your state laws and are educated on your responsibility.

on getting pulled over - "officer, I have a loaded/unloaded weapon in the car" with your hands on the wheel.

You have to tell officers that you have a weapon in the car in Texas? That sucks, you don't have to do that here. I don't tell them a damn thing unless they ask.

Actually you just have to present your concealed handgun license if you're asked for identification and you're currently carrying a handgun.

Texas isn't the golden state of firearm laws (like Florida, the gunshine state.) Having tax stamps for your title 2 weapons won't keep you from getting arrested and your weapons confiscated. In Texas, your paperwork is only a defense to prosecution.

Ahh ok. Here when they run your license when you are pulled over it flags that you have a concealed carry permit. They are supposed to ask if they can search the car, but every time I have asked I just tell them no. I have never been asked if I was carrying, and usually when they see that you have a concealed handgun permit they just give you a warning. I have not gotten one ticket since I got my CCW, but I have been pulled over a few times.

One time a state trooper pulled me over for going way too fast, and he asked what I normally carried. When I told him I carried a USP45 tactical and I had my CCF supressor with it, He got all excited and we BS'd about it for a while. I even let him shoot it a few times along the side of the road I was pulled over on, and I am pretty sure that got me out of that ticket (I was doing about 30 over the limit then).

 

[Nebor]

Originally posted by: adairusmc
One time a state trooper pulled me over for going way too fast, and he asked what I normally carried. When I told him I carried a USP45 tactical and I had my CCF supressor with it, He got all excited and we BS'd about it for a while. I even let him shoot it a few times along the side of the road I was pulled over on, and I am pretty sure that got me out of that ticket (I was doing about 30 over the limit then).

Hahaha. That's a great story.

A lot of cops, not being gun guys, think that full autos and supressors, and even SBRs are illegal. So I never mention any of that to the police.

 

[TallBill]

Didn't know you were into NFA Nebor. I will be once I pick up a commission.