18 to buy handgun FTF in Texas?

[Codename46]

Is it true that the age requirement to buy, possess, and own a handgun via FTF/private transaction is 18?

Is there anywhere I can fact check this on the BATFE or Texas DPS websites, or whatnot?

[seamusTX]

That is correct.

The governing Texas law is

PC §46.06. UNLAWFUL TRANSFER OF CERTAIN WEAPONS.
(a) A person commits an offense if the person:
(1) sells, rents, leases, loans, or gives a handgun to any person knowing that the person to whom the handgun is to be delivered intends to use it unlawfully or in the commission of an unlawful act;
(2) intentionally or knowingly sells, rents, leases, or gives or offers to sell, rent, lease, or give to any child younger than 18 years any firearm, club, or illegal knife;
(3) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly sells a firearm or ammunition for a firearm to any person who is intoxicated;
(4) knowingly sells a firearm or ammunition for a firearm to any person who has been convicted of a felony before the fifth anniversary of the later of the following dates:...

Federal law covers interstate transfers and transfers by FFLs, not face-to-face intrastate transfers.

There actually is no Texas law concerning a minimum age for posession of a firearm.

There is a provision in federal law that is rarely enforced: http://www.atf.gov/firearms/faq/faq2.htm#b14" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This law is aimed at criminals who give firearms to minors, rather than law-abiding situations.

- Jim