"Castle law" in Texas???

[M9FAN]

I wouldn't mind buying a few more pea shooters via Face to Face, but I don't know anybody selling.

Can you do Face to Face at gun shows, or is it required to file paperwork for that type of purchase?

Yes, you can still privately buy & sell firearms at gun shows, via classified ads, and from members on this forum with no paperwork required. Check out the 'Firearms' section of this forum for a current listing of items that members have for sale and/or trade.

[Rokyudai]

Rockrz,

First off, welcome to forum! You are asking a lot of good questions. They are questions that many have asked in the past including myself. Spend some time searching this forum for valuable information. Lots of good stuff here!

[Rockrz]

Yes, you can still privately buy & sell firearms at gun shows

Is there any place in Texas law, or even Federal law that says this so it can be verified?

I've had numerous people tell me that buying at a gun show is no different than buying from a regular gun store when it comes to paperwork.

[flintknapper]

Rockrz - You can take the CHL class, get the answers to all your questions, know the law, and THEN decide if you want to get the license.

Taking the class does not obligate you, only educates you.

Amen.

[seamusTX]

Yes, you can still privately buy & sell firearms at gun shows

Is there any place in Texas law, or even Federal law that says this so it can be verified?

I've had numerous people tell me that buying at a gun show is no different than buying from a regular gun store when it comes to paperwork.

Federal law: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b1

For Texas state law, see PC §46.06 in the link that I already gave you.

If you buy a weapon from an FFL at a gun show, you must fill out a form 4473 and go through NICS (unless you have a CHL). If you buy from an individual, no paperwork is required.

- Jim

[Rockrz]

If you buy a weapon from an FFL at a gun show, you must fill out a form 4473 and go through NICS (unless you have a CHL). If you buy from an individual, no paperwork is required.

That's what I have been told that buying from someone at a gun show requires the same paperwork as buying from a gun store.

[Keith B]

If you buy a weapon from an FFL at a gun show, you must fill out a form 4473 and go through NICS (unless you have a CHL). If you buy from an individual, no paperwork is required.

That's what I have been told that buying from someone at a gun show requires the same paperwork as buying from a gun store.

Only if you buy from a dealer. If you find someone walking around selling their gun, federal law states you do not have to have paperwork. However, there are restrictions on who you can sell to. Read the information on the link that was posted http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b1

[seamusTX]

Oh, another thing: You can buy cap-and-ball revolvers or muzzle-loading black-powder rifles and shotguns for cash with no paperwork. They have them hanging on pegs at Bass Pro. You can buy enough black powder to last a lifetime and cast your own balls.

Cap-and-ball revolvers are not considered handguns in Texas. You do not need a CHL to carry one, and you don't even have to keep it concealed (though the police might need to be educated in that regard). They are effective weapons, just a little slow to reload.

- Jim

[Venus Pax]

Rockrz,

First off, welcome to forum! You are asking a lot of good questions. They are questions that many have asked in the past including myself. Spend some time searching this forum for valuable information. Lots of good stuff here!

The Castle Doctrine covers you in your home, vehicle, or business. You can drive around with a concealed handgun in your vehicle, as long as you aren't a felon and as long as you don't enter locations on the no-no list (federal property, etc.) If you own your own business or have permission from the business owner (and I'd get it in writing), you can have a handgun at work.
The Castle Doctrine also provides some level of civil immunity, which is a much bigger deal than one may think. The first man in Texas to defend himself with a firearm (under CHL) was hit with a civil law suit by his attacker's widow. He lost nearly everything. IMO, he was victimized twice. First, the attacker went after his life, then a relative went after his assets. The Castle Doctrine is offering civil protection here for victims that choose to defend themselves using deadly force.


Like lwatson said, it doesn't hurt to take the class. (Okay, maybe it might hurt the wallet a little.) You'll get a lot of info and clarity just from taking the class. I learned SO many things in my CHL class that were new to me. A CHL instructor can be a wealth of information. If you choose, after the class, not to mail in your paperwork, it's okay. You don't have to complete the process if you don't want to get the CHL.

I took the CHL course nearly two years ago. Not long after, I joined this forum and another, and have learned so much. My dad and husband have CHLs (Dad was one of the first in the state to obtain one), and a few friends have theirs as well.

Learn as much as you can, and when/if you're comfortable with it, send in the paperwork (and a check).

[Rockrz]

They are effective weapons, just a little slow to reload.

I guess if you go that route, you'd better be a good enough shot to get 'em the first time cause you probably wouldn't have any further opportunities as the bad guys would getcha while you're trying to reload.

Learn as much as you can, and when/if you're comfortable with it, send in the paperwork (and a check).

Well, my whole issue is I'd rather not be on record as being a concealed handgun permit holder.

[LarryH]

Like lwatson said, it doesn't hurt to take the class. (Okay, maybe it might hurt the wallet a little.) You'll get a lot of info and clarity just from taking the class. I learned SO many things in my CHL class that were new to me. A CHL instructor can be a wealth of information. If you choose, after the class, not to mail in your paperwork, it's okay. You don't have to complete the process if you don't want to get the CHL.

I took the CHL course nearly two years ago. Not long after, I joined this forum and another, and have learned so much. My dad and husband have CHLs (Dad was one of the first in the state to obtain one), and a few friends have theirs as well.

Learn as much as you can, and when/if you're comfortable with it, send in the paperwork (and a check).

VP has "words of wisdom" there.

To add a few . . .

Taking the class will hurt the wallet to the tune of about $100 (maybe a bit less). If you don't have a gun to use for the shooting qualification, the instructor will probably have several for you to choose from. (This would be something to ask about when you call to schedule the class, because it's possible there would be an extra charge for that.) Also, if you don't "pass" the range part, you can shoot again until you do. There would probably be an extra charge for that, if you have to purchase additional ammo to do so. That was the case for my wife, because we choose poorly on the first self-defense gun we bought for her.

You will have nearly two years after taking the class to decide whether to apply for the CHL. My original thought was to wait; I wound up sending in the paperwork a couple of days after completing the class.

[Venus Pax]

Well, my whole issue is I'd rather not be on record as being a concealed handgun permit holder.

I understand the sentiment. It's something most of us have discussed at some point or another. My dad certainly had reservations initially about getting his CHL.
Like seamus has said, if the gov't wants to know something, they will find out. And it will take more living beneath the radar than eschewing the handgun license.

I believe I can speak for many here when I say that we have found collective bargaining to be a powerful force in getting us where we are in the state of Texas. We wouldn't have that degree of collective bargaining if so many of us weren't willing to expose our stance on exercising the Second Amendment. When CHLs were first implemented in Texas in 1996, there were many restrictions. TSRA has chipped away at that list a little each year.

IMO, your rights aren't recognized unless the law is behind you. The law will not be behind you if you don't speak up, and speaking up involves revealing who you are.

I've had many discussions with Dad on this. We've come to an agreement. $35 per year to the NRA and $25 per year to TSRA is much cheaper (and much less painful) than the cold-dead-hands experience. We've chosen to put our money and our name on regaining ground for the Second Amendment and on the prevention of tyranny and violence committed against us.

Many people choose, for many reasons, not to get a CHL. I don't want to see you shy away from one because you think it could put you at risk for losing your RKBA later, when in reality, it works in the opposite direction.

And remember, if they ever come to your door wanting your guns, you sold them yesterday. Really.

[flintknapper]

Well, my whole issue is I'd rather not be on record as being a concealed handgun permit holder.

I understand the sentiment. It's something most of us have discussed at some point or another. My dad certainly had reservations initially about getting his CHL.
Like seamus has said, if the gov't wants to know something, they will find out. And it will take more living beneath the radar than eschewing the handgun license.

I believe I can speak for many here when I say that we have found collective bargaining to be a powerful force in getting us where we are in the state of Texas. We wouldn't have that degree of collective bargaining if so many of us weren't willing to expose our stance on exercising the Second Amendment. When CHLs were first implemented in Texas in 1996, there were many restrictions. TSRA has chipped away at that list a little each year.

IMO, your rights aren't recognized unless the law is behind you. The law will not be behind you if you don't speak up, and speaking up involves revealing who you are.

I've had many discussions with Dad on this. We've come to an agreement. $35 per year to the NRA and $25 per year to TSRA is much cheaper (and much less painful) than the cold-dead-hands experience. We've chosen to put our money and our name on regaining ground for the Second Amendment and on the prevention of tyranny and violence committed against us.

Many people choose, for many reasons, not to get a CHL. I don't want to see you shy away from one because you think it could put you at risk for losing your RKBA later, when in reality, it works in the opposite direction.

And remember, if they ever come to your door wanting your guns, you sold them yesterday. Really.

Dead on. All of it!

However, I believe this gentleman is already too "spooked".

Not gonna happen.

[LarryH]

Well, my whole issue is I'd rather not be on record as being a concealed handgun permit holder.

That was my attitude for quite a long time. I finally decided, with help from DW, that being able to legally protect myself now is more important than worrying about what might happen if the BGs (of whatever stripe) were to theoretically take over the government.

[anygunanywhere]

I'd rather not get one of those because I don't think it should be the government's business whether I have any firearms or not.

You are right. It is not any of their business unless, constitutionally, you were asked as part of the unorganized, albeit well regulated militia to muster with the arms you are required to bring with you based on your right to both keep and bear arms.

Well, my whole issue is I'd rather not be on record as being a concealed handgun permit holder.

I want the government to know. The government needs to know exactly how many of us are willing to respond to any further infringements, and also who is going to seek to undo the infringements that have been forced on us by the combined three branches of the federal government and of the several states.

The only government that can exist in harmony with the people who authorize it's very existence is the government that is terrified of the action that the people will take in response to tyranny.

You, sir, and all freedom loving people as defined in the founding documents need to obtain your second amendment permission cards and join the organizations that support us. If you don't, why bother with any other right? They will eventually be taken away and you will be at the mercy of the government the founders feared, very similar to the one they were fighting over two hundred years ago.

Anygunanywhere