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Texas Gun Show Laws

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  • accordingtoome

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    Can someone please let me know what i need to purchase a firearm in texas? I have my new paper license. An old expired drivers license with my picture on it and lots of cash. Also i have a shotgun i want to sell. Can i take that to the show and sell it? Has anyone here sold something at a show? Do all the dealers at the show run a nics check? How much does it cost and do i have to do it at every table?
    Thanks all
    ATM
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    Code3GT

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    I would say use a different picture ID since your old DL is expired, but its worth a try. Why not just wait until your new one comes in? Yes, they have to run a NICS if its a dealer (unless you have your CHL, then they dont). Yes you can sell your shotty but dont expect much. Your firearm must be unloaded and probably in a case, DONT take ammo. They'll check it at the door and you're good to go.
     

    SIG_Fiend

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    Federal law requires that every dealer do an NICS check, so if there's a dealer there then they will do one. Many times there are just individuals there, people with booths that just have some of their personal stuff for sale. AFAIK, I have never met any individual selling their personal stuff at a show that could/would do an NICS check. Most individuals doing FTF (face to face) sales typically want to see at least a valid TX DL, and some will also want to see a CHL too just to CTA (cover their @ss) if ya catch my drift. ;)

    Like Code3GT said, if you want to sell your gun, just bring it along and make sure there is no ammo in it. You'll typically see lots of people, at most of the shows I've been to, walking around with rifles and shotguns and stuff slung over their shoulder and with signs taped to them that say "For Sale" or something. You might as well try that, I mean it's free and you don't have to get a booth or anything. ;) lol
     

    accordingtoome

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    I would say use a different picture ID since your old DL is expired, but its worth a try. Why not just wait until your new one comes in? Yes, they have to run a NICS if its a dealer (unless you have your CHL, then they dont). Yes you can sell your shotty but dont expect much. Your firearm must be unloaded and probably in a case, DONT take ammo. They'll check it at the door and you're good to go.

    man.. i really do not want to wait. the DMV said it might take 6 to 8 weeks to get my DL. im going down next month to apply for the CHL.
     

    nalioth

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    man.. i really do not want to wait. the DMV said it might take 6 to 8 weeks to get my DL. im going down next month to apply for the CHL.
    I thought I already answered your question.

    Why are you asking it again and raising your blood pressure with the current opinions you're getting?
     

    accordingtoome

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    I thought I already answered your question.

    Why are you asking it again and raising your blood pressure with the current opinions you're getting?


    you know im just really excited to go a real show after living in cali for so long. "you can't have this" you can't have that" thats all i have heard for so long. Now that i can buy what i want :rolleyes: .. i guess im just freaking out a little
    2 more days.
     

    Texas1911

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    Can someone please let me know what i need to purchase a firearm in texas? I have my new paper license. An old expired drivers license with my picture on it and lots of cash. Also i have a shotgun i want to sell. Can i take that to the show and sell it? Has anyone here sold something at a show? Do all the dealers at the show run a nics check? How much does it cost and do i have to do it at every table?
    Thanks all
    ATM

    I'm not 100% sure, but the paper license should be good enough if supported by another valid state issued ID with a photo.

    The NICS check has to be ran for all dealer purchases, but you may sell to someone face-to-face without running an NICS check. They have to have a valid Texas drivers license, and I would write down everything on the license on your copy of the bill of sale. In fact, you might be able to borrow a 4473 form and make a copy of it for personal sales.
     

    tex45acp

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    accordingtome,

    Just call one of your local gunshops and ask them this same question. If they are a reputable shop and you cannot use the expired license with your paper license, they will tell you.

    Oh, I would not tell them you are wanting to know so that you can buy from someone else. That is on a need to know basis....and they do not need to know.

    tex
     

    pxranger

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    They have to have a valid Texas drivers license, and I would write down everything on the license on your copy of the bill of sale. In fact, you might be able to borrow a 4473 form and make a copy of it for personal sales.

    If I were the buyer, I wouldn't show my info. I don't know the seller and I'm not going to give out all of my info, especially when my identity has already been stolen once. It's obvious that you have some interest in guns, because you're at a gun show, so it's reasonable to believe that you have at least one gun already. Now that person has your address and knows that you're a gun owner. Now, don't buy from shady people, but who's to say that THAT guys house doesn't get robbed and now criminals have your info and address. Do what you want, but I don't give out info to strangers.
     

    Hoji

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    I'm not 100% sure, but the paper license should be good enough if supported by another valid state issued ID with a photo.

    The NICS check has to be ran for all dealer purchases, but you may sell to someone face-to-face without running an NICS check. They have to have a valid Texas drivers license, and I would write down everything on the license on your copy of the bill of sale. In fact, you might be able to borrow a 4473 form and make a copy of it for personal sales.


    No NICS if you have a Texas CHL. Just sayin
     

    Texas1911

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    If I were the buyer, I wouldn't show my info. I don't know the seller and I'm not going to give out all of my info, especially when my identity has already been stolen once. It's obvious that you have some interest in guns, because you're at a gun show, so it's reasonable to believe that you have at least one gun already. Now that person has your address and knows that you're a gun owner. Now, don't buy from shady people, but who's to say that THAT guys house doesn't get robbed and now criminals have your info and address. Do what you want, but I don't give out info to strangers.

    Likewise I don't sell guns to people that aren't willing to do so.
     

    JKTex

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    If I were the buyer, I wouldn't show my info. I don't know the seller and I'm not going to give out all of my info, especially when my identity has already been stolen once. It's obvious that you have some interest in guns, because you're at a gun show, so it's reasonable to believe that you have at least one gun already. Now that person has your address and knows that you're a gun owner. Now, don't buy from shady people, but who's to say that THAT guys house doesn't get robbed and now criminals have your info and address. Do what you want, but I don't give out info to strangers.

    A seller only has to not have any reason to believe a buyer otherwise is not prohibited form buying ad owning. If you want to walk up to a stranger and buy a gun, I' sure you could do that on a back street from a trunk and neither party wants to know who the other is.

    A seller asking for ID is being prudent and covering his ass as well as doing what he can to insure he's not breaking the law.

    Good luck in that ally.
     

    pxranger

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    A seller asking for ID is being prudent and covering his ass as well as doing what he can to insure he's not breaking the law.

    Good luck in that ally.

    I've never been asked to show ID at a gun show (FTF), and that's the only place that I really buy guns. I was just stating what I do, not what everybody should do. It's not taboo to not want strangers to know everything about you. Obviously don't deal with shady people, and meeting in a dark alley would definitely be shady.

    If you want to give out all of your DL information to a complete stranger, then go ahead; doesn't affect me. *shrug*
     

    JKTex

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    I've never been asked to show ID at a gun show (FTF), and that's the only place that I really buy guns. *shrug*

    "A seller asking for ID is being prudent and covering his ass as well as doing what he can to insure he's not breaking the law."

    I'm not saying all sellers do what would be reasonable thing. But being at a gun show is different than a FTF on the street. I think it's a better bet that a buyer is ok to sell to at a Gun Show. Otherwise, that buyer would be in the ally and not at a Gun Show where he'd be subject to checks by dealers.
     

    Renegade

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    A seller asking for ID is being prudent and covering his ass as well as doing what he can to insure he's not breaking the law.

    No he has not. He is helping get gun control passed by giving in to the notion that the "gun show loophole" needs to be closed. He certainly is not ensuring he is NOT breaking the law. In fact, he could be making himself more culpable.

    Anyone who would allow a seller to copy down their personal info is an idiot, and is thus prima facia evidence of someone who should not be allowed to buy the gun in the first place.

    The real answer is if you do not want to sell FTF with a handshake, run the gun through an FFL and they will do a NICS check on the buyer.
     

    nalioth

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    No he has not. He is helping get gun control passed by giving in to the notion that the "gun show loophole" needs to be closed. He certainly is not ensuring he is NOT breaking the law. In fact, he could be making himself more culpable.

    Anyone who would allow a seller to copy down their personal info is an idiot, and is thus prima facia evidence of someone who should not be allowed to buy the gun in the first place.

    The real answer is if you do not want to sell FTF with a handshake, run the gun through an FFL and they will do a NICS check on the buyer.
    Unfortunately, we're not in a utopia where a handshake matters any more for lots of folks.

    If you live in a place where folks still are honorable and whose handshakes can be trusted, more power to you.

    Some of us do not live in such places, sadly enough.
     

    Renegade

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    Unfortunately, we're not in a utopia where a handshake matters any more for lots of folks.

    If you live in a place where folks still are honorable and whose handshakes can be trusted, more power to you.

    Some of us do not live in such places, sadly enough.

    My point is if you can not do it with handshake, doing it with a DL is a false sense of security, as convicted Felons are allowed to have DLs.
     
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