Getting a handgun and concealed carry licence at 18

The #1 community for Gun Owners in Texas

Member Benefits:

  • Fewer Ads!
  • Discuss all aspects of firearm ownership
  • Discuss anti-gun legislation
  • Buy, sell, and trade in the classified section
  • Chat with Local gun shops, ranges, trainers & other businesses
  • Discover free outdoor shooting areas
  • View up to date on firearm-related events
  • Share photos & video with other members
  • ...and so much more!
  • Coffsm

    New Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 5, 2016
    6
    1
    what do you guys think about this and weather it is a good or bad idea?
     
    Last edited:

    easy rider

    Summer Slacker
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 10, 2015
    31,489
    96
    Odessa, Tx
    Texas law states that you have to be 21 years of age own a handgun, therefore, apply for a license to carry. Also, you must be a resident of the state of Texas for at least 6 months.
     

    Jon Payne

    Well-Known
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Nov 16, 2010
    2,017
    66
    Third Coast
    If you're a veteran you can get your LTC at 18. IIRC, this applies to active-duty, guard, and reserves. If you're mature enough to serve in the military you could be mature enough to carry a handgun.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     

    Jon Payne

    Well-Known
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Nov 16, 2010
    2,017
    66
    Third Coast
    Texas law states that you have to be 21 years of age own a handgun, therefore, apply for a license to carry. Also, you must be a resident of the state of Texas for at least 6 months.

    Incorrect. An individual must be 21 to purchase a handgun from a FFL. An 18 year old can possess a handgun in TX. BTW, the 6 month residency has been removed for several years.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited:

    easy rider

    Summer Slacker
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 10, 2015
    31,489
    96
    Odessa, Tx
    Incorrect. An individual must be 21 to purchase a handgun from a FFL. An 18 year old can possess a handgun in TX. BTW, the 6 month residency has been removed for several years.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Since his original statement stated he is in the UK and not a resident of another state the six month period applies. he also talked of purchasing(own). he stated he was 16 now, therefore I didn't bring up military.
     

    Jon Payne

    Well-Known
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Nov 16, 2010
    2,017
    66
    Third Coast
    Since his original statement stated he is in the UK and not a resident of another state the six month period applies. he also talked of purchasing(own). he stated he was 16 now, therefore I didn't bring up military.

    Reread his original post he edited it or there's a double post.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited:

    benenglish

    Just Another Boomer
    Staff member
    Lifetime Member
    Admin
    Rating - 100%
    7   0   0
    Nov 22, 2011
    23,933
    96
    Spring
    ...or there's a double post.
    Are there two threads on this? The original OP text was:

    Hey guys I'm 16, and at the minuet I live in the UK. In a few years I plan to move to the us, specifically Texas (if/when trump gets into power I might not be able to!) and become a firefighter. Another big aspect of what I want to do when I move out is shooting since its something I already do here in the uk and love. But my question is can I buy a handgun at 18/19? At the minuet from what ive read it seems that you can get a handgun when your 18 or over from a private seller but not an FFL registered shop? And then if it is possible to get a handgun from reading the form for the concealed carry license if I meet all the points in section a except the age and I am 18 or over I can still get a license? I was just wondering since I will be moving out alone, if I am able to protect myself by doing this it would be pretty high on my lists of priorities! and finally if I bring my shotgun license from the UK will people be more willing to sell a handgun?

    Thanks for taking the time to read this it got pretty lengthy!

    I'll reload the threads and see if I can tell what's going on.

    ETA: Looks like instead of editing his original, he started a dupe thread. There's another thread here: http://www.texasguntalk.com/forums/...ing-handgun-concealed-carry-licence-18-a.html
     
    Last edited:

    easy rider

    Summer Slacker
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 10, 2015
    31,489
    96
    Odessa, Tx

    Maverick44

    Youngest old man on TGT.
    Rating - 100%
    1   0   0
    Incorrect. An individual must be 21 to purchase a handgun from a FFL. An 18 year old can possess a handgun in TX. BTW, the 6 month residency has been removed for several years.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

    Correct. I bought my 1911 within 2 months of turning 18. I didn't buy it from a gun shop.

    As for carrying the gun, I think you have to be 21 unless your a vet. There is a law that says you can keep a gun concealed in your car without a license. I think it may apply to 18 year olds.
     
    Last edited:

    A.Texas.Yankee

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Mar 21, 2012
    3,628
    46
    NTX
    Texas law doesn't say any of those things.
    Beat me to it.

    LTC age is 18 only for armed forces, IIRC, 21 for everyone else. There is no 6 month residency requirement, only that you intend to become a resident (I forget exact wording) so moving here permanently, not second home, etc.

    Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk
     

    easy rider

    Summer Slacker
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 10, 2015
    31,489
    96
    Odessa, Tx
    Texas law doesn't say any of those things.

    I'm sorry, I was replying to a different post, I did mean purchase of a handgun and LTC for 21 years of age. Seeing that he was 16 and living in the UK I omitted the american armed services part. The 6 month rule would apply to someone coming from another country seeing as he is not a resident of another state.
     
    Last edited:

    vmax

    TGT Addict
    TGT Supporter
    Rating - 100%
    8   0   0
    Apr 15, 2013
    17,302
    96
    I read every post in this thread and I'm as confused as a new born in a titty bar

    edited OPs, jail house lawyers...damn
     

    txinvestigator

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    May 28, 2008
    14,204
    96
    Ft Worth, TX
    I'm sorry, I was replying to a different post, I did mean purchase of a handgun and LTC for 21 years of age. Seeing that he was 16 and living in the UK I omitted the american armed services part. The 6 month rule would apply to someone coming from another country seeing as he is not a resident of another state.
    An 18 year old can buy a handgun. An 18 year old can obtain a LTC.
     

    easy rider

    Summer Slacker
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 10, 2015
    31,489
    96
    Odessa, Tx
    An 18 year old can buy a handgun. An 18 year old can obtain a LTC.

    I'm not going to argue this, but I am curious where this information comes. I do admit as far as owning handgun what I read was wrong, I did find that an 18 can own at his/her residence a handgun. But purchasing a handgun, other then from someone that is not an FFL, (and that's a bit hazy), says 21. Barring military exceptions, I also read that LTC is 21. If I read it wrong I certainly would like to know what is right.

    Now I do understand that long guns and handguns have different laws as far as age goes.
     

    A.Texas.Yankee

    TGT Addict
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Mar 21, 2012
    3,628
    46
    NTX
    I'm not going to argue this, but I am curious where this information comes. I do admit as far as owning handgun what I read was wrong, I did find that an 18 can own at his/her residence a handgun. But purchasing a handgun, other then from someone that is not an FFL, (and that's a bit hazy), says 21. Barring military exceptions, I also read that LTC is 21. If I read it wrong I certainly would like to know what is right.

    Now I do understand that long guns and handguns have different laws as far as age goes.

    It's a bit confusing because you have federal and state laws, some conflicting, to deal with.

    Federal laws:

    Buying a handgun (and handgun ammunition) from a federally licensed dealer is 21 and long guns (and long gun ammo) is 18 and this is a federal law. Federal law doesn't really regulate private sellers that are not engaged in the business of firearms, i.e. private seller). So a private seller under federal law can sell handgun (and ammo) to anyone 18+ and this is federal law. There's no other applicable law here. Under federal law, a private individual of ANY age can own, sell, etc. long guns (and ammo).

    So private sales are mostly regulated by state laws. Federal law also does not regulate licenses other than FFL, so LTC and owner's licensing falls again to state laws.

    State of Texas laws:

    Buying a handgun or long gun from non FFL in Texas is 18 and this is state law.

    Texas has no law about possession age of either hand gun (and ammo) or long gun (and ammo). Meaning anyone can gift a gun and ammo to any age, but I believe minors must have parental consent, but don't quote me). This is Texas state law. (But remember federal laws says handguns and handgun ammo must be 18+).

    Obtaining LTC is age 21, unless member of armed forces which allows it at 18, and is Texas state law.



    FYI

    Ammo purchasing is a bit hazy because state law allows handgun/rifle ammo purchase @ any age, but many places that sell ammo also have FFL so they have to card handgun ammo under 21 and long gun under 18 because it's federal law. Private sellers or NON FFL licensed retail establishments do NOT have to worry about age at all, federally or locally by law.

    These laws also-ran assume buyer/seller are legally able to own firearm if they meet other requirements, etc.

    Hope this helps.

    Sent from my LG-H830 using Tapatalk
     
    Last edited:

    easy rider

    Summer Slacker
    Lifetime Member
    Rating - 0%
    0   0   0
    Jun 10, 2015
    31,489
    96
    Odessa, Tx
    Thank you, it is hard to find real definitions of law on NON FFL purchases.

    I am not beyond admitting I am wrong, my first post I typed while I was researching to the original post and I do admit it what I meant to say and what I typed wasn't right.
     
    Top Bottom