Texas gun law?

[Cobraman]

I'll be 18 in November and was looking into buying a handgun to go shoot for fun. A buddy told me you can't buy a handgun until you are 21. Can somebody clarify this for me?

[David]

You can buy one privately. I think federal law say you have to be 21 to buy from a dealer.

[Cobraman]

You can buy one privately. I think federal law say you have to be 21 to buy from a dealer.

Does that include pawn shops?

Can I have someone over the age of 21 buy the gun new and then immediately sell it to me?

[Venix]

I would have to get the law book out to go over it all, but basically at 18 you can not buy a handgun or the ammo for it. So until you are 21, someone will have to buy your bullets as well, heh.

Edit: to answer your question about the buy/sell with your buddy, that is a big no no. That is a straw purchase.

[helosailor]

You can buy one privately. I think federal law say you have to be 21 to buy from a dealer.

This.

There is currently a lawsuit underway challenging this, but it was struck down by a Federal Judge here in N. Texas. It will be appealed.
http://www.nraila.org/Legislation/Fe...d.aspx?id=7118

[David]

If a pawn shop is selling guns, they're a licensed dealer.

Scenario below I have no clue on. There's the whole straw purchase thing etc.

Does that include pawn shops?

Can I have someone over the age of 21 buy the gun new and then immediately sell it to me?

[Mike]

Does that include pawn shops?

Can I have someone over the age of 21 buy the gun new and then immediately sell it to me?

You could but it's called a straw purchase, and that would be a felony.
Now if a friend happened to buy a gun that you really liked with their own funds, then changed their mind and sold it to you that is legal. (I still wouldn't recommend doing this.)

[helosailor]

Does that include pawn shops?

Can I have someone over the age of 21 buy the gun new and then immediately sell it to me?

NO! That is a "straw purchase" and is highly illegal.
Anyone that sells guns on a dealer license (including pawn shops) will get their license revoked, get a big fine, and probably do federal time if they sell a handgun to anyone under 21.
As for ammo, if it is a "handgun specific" caliber, you have to be 21 to buy that too.

[ceyko]

Yeah, if I remember right another stupid one is you can be 18 if military and get your CHL. However, you still can't buy a gun.

I'd just get your Dad to buy you a gun, with or without your money (whatever makes you sleep at night) and just take it to the range. I don't recall any 18 vs 21 limits at the range, but I'd verify that. I'm old, so age stuff does not apply.

[BlackGT]

but basically at 18 you can not buy a handgun or the ammo for it.

1/2 right.

You can buy the ammo at 18, just not the gun.

There are a lot of rifles out there chambered for pistol calibers.

[Moose242]

If you just want something to have fun with at the range, look into a pistol caliber carbine.

I would suggest a kel tec sub 2000. They are cheap and take glock magazines.

[Venix]

1/2 right.

You can buy the ammo at 18, just not the gun.

There are a lot of rifles out there chambered for pistol calibers.

Um, no? You must me 21 to buy handgun ammo. I get ID'd everytime at walmart.

[Bassics]

Is the 21 for handgun ammo fed or state?

I remember some time ago when the underage restriction on ammo buying was lifted, and esessentially one could legally go buy a brick of 22s under 18. That was awhile back, I remember laughing because I had never been carded as a kid.

How is handgun ammo defined? More stupid crap that makes no sense.

[chevyhater01]

I always remember being asked if the ammo being purchased was for rifle or handgun. My response everytime was rifle no matter what caliber I was buying.

[BlackGT]

I always remember being asked if the ammo being purchased was for rifle or handgun. My response everytime was rifle no matter what caliber I was buying.

Exactly!

Um, no? You must me 21 to buy handgun ammo. I get ID'd everytime at walmart.

.22lr can be used in either a pistol or rifle.
So can 9mm, 40s&w, .45acp, .38spl, .357mag, .44mag, 45LC, 500s&w, just to name a few.

You have no proof that the ammo being purchased is going to be used in a pistol. Sure, the dealer/seller has discretion on wether they want to sell it to the customer, but if they say it's for a rifle and you can't prove otherwise then there is no legal restriction on them buying it if they are over 18.