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Texas age limits on gun purchase
Lurius
Member Posts: 7 ✭✭
Hey everyone, new member here. Got a question about Texas state laws though incase anyone here knows about this problem im having.
Ok, first off im 18, ive grown up believeing that at 18 I could buy a rifle or shotgun of my own but the other day when I went down to a pawn shop(never been in one and wanted to see what kind of selection they had) and asked to see this nice looking AK(the wood wasent the typical red or blonde color, it was almost grey looking). The guy let me see it then after he handed it to me he asked if I was 21, I told him im 18 and he yanked it out of my hands and said to get out, that he cant sell to anyone under 21 in texas. I was really confused, never knew the law had changed.. I have heard from a few people that if you pass a hunting safety class you can buy longarms at 18, but im not sure if this is true or not, which is why I came here to get the truth about it. So anyone here know what the regulations are on this? I was really looking forward to buying a gun soon! im tired of my old .22lr and 12ga. =P
Thanks a ton,
Lurius
Ok, first off im 18, ive grown up believeing that at 18 I could buy a rifle or shotgun of my own but the other day when I went down to a pawn shop(never been in one and wanted to see what kind of selection they had) and asked to see this nice looking AK(the wood wasent the typical red or blonde color, it was almost grey looking). The guy let me see it then after he handed it to me he asked if I was 21, I told him im 18 and he yanked it out of my hands and said to get out, that he cant sell to anyone under 21 in texas. I was really confused, never knew the law had changed.. I have heard from a few people that if you pass a hunting safety class you can buy longarms at 18, but im not sure if this is true or not, which is why I came here to get the truth about it. So anyone here know what the regulations are on this? I was really looking forward to buying a gun soon! im tired of my old .22lr and 12ga. =P
Thanks a ton,
Lurius
Comments
I have some bookmarked sites from when I turned 18 three years ago and started looking for my own state's laws.
http://www.nraila.org/GunLaws.asp?FormMode=Detail&R=TX
This one is brief but seems to contain the information you are interested in: It is unlawful to sell, rent, loan or give a handgun to any person if it is known that the person intends to use it unlawfully. It is unlawful to knowingly sell, rent, give or offer to sell, rent or give any firearm to a person under 18 years of age, without the written consent of his parent or guardian. It is unlawful to knowingly or recklessly sell any firearm or ammunition to any person who is intoxicated.
Seems, that you were correct about purchasing a long-gun in your state. Have you recieved similar treatment at a big-name gunstore or even Walmart? Perhaps the pawn-shop proprietor was simply mis-informed, wanted to limit his own liability, or was prevented from selling to under-21 by company policy.
In my own state, my reserach found that while anyone holding an FFL could sell to over-18 for long-guns and over-21 for handguns, there was no mention of the "21" requirement for private sells. The only limitations on a private transaction, was the 18 years of age required to possess a firearm in general. If you read carefully and do the research, you may find a similar gray area. I was 19 when I purchased my Glock from a gentleman at a flea market. Good luck to you.
Typos and profanity, oh my! http://www.funky-town.org
And actualy, I did go to a walmart shortly after the pawnshop and the guy at the desk told me the same thing, that he cannot sell firearms to someone under 21 or even sell one to someone over 21 if the person is buying it with the intent of someone else being its primary user.
Well if the age limit is 18 im gonna have to go check out some more store, probably best bet would be to go down the to range, they would know more then some mean guy at a pawn shop or the guy at walmart(how can I trust them to know know gun laws when they censor CDs?).
Thanks again
Lurius