Live in Arkansas, buy handgun in Texas?

N

napg19

New member
Can I buy a handgun in Texas and bring it back to Arkansas with me without any problems? I'll look up Texas laws later tonight but thought I'd ask. Came soooo close to moving to Tyler, loved it there. But that's another story. Thanks.
 
No.
It is against Federal law for an American Commoner to buy a pistol outside his official, on his picture ID, state of residence. If you saw something really desirable you could have it sent to a FFL dealer at home, but the shipping and dealer registration fees would keep it from being a bargain.
 
nope, but.......

You cannot legally do so. An alternative is to locate a dealer in your home state, obtain a copy of his FFL , present it to the shop in TX, and "transfer" the gun to the dealer in your home state.

In the sole instance of my experience on this matter, it went quite smoothly.

My dealer charged $20.00 additional for the transfer fee.
 
If you have a 2nd home in Texas and are living in that residence for

any time, you could legally buy a handgun from another Texas resident in a private face to face sale, the way I read the 'federal' laws... but you see how difficult that is too?
 
If you saw something really desirable you could have it sent to a FFL dealer at home, but the shipping and dealer registration fees would keep it from being a bargain.
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That's your only method to buy a handgun out of state. It's likely cheaper to find one local.
 
Federal law dictates that any handgun purchase must be made in the state you are a resident in. So, as mentioned, you can buy it in Texas IF (and only IF) you have the seller ship it directly to an FFL in your resident state, where you will complete the Federal background check and take possession of the gun.

Texas local laws have nothing to do with that. Interstate transfer of firearms is a federal issue.
 
If you are close to the state line, most gun shops have a FFL on the other side they regulary do business with. I purchased one a month ago on the AR side, paid for it, then went across the line to the TX side to another FFL & paid a minimal transfer fee & ran the paperwork & left with my gun. In my case it was the best deal. Even with the extra fee, I saved $50!
 
What JJ said. I am a Hoosier. I sometimes buy a handgun from a neighboring KY dealer. One of his employees is a Hoosier and he delivers it to the IN FFL on his way home. Sometimes I can get my gun the same day I bought it.
 
If you have a 2nd home in Texas and are living in that residence for any time, you could legally buy a handgun from another Texas resident in a private face to face sale, the way I read the 'federal' laws...
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Actually, this applies to FFL sales also. If you maintain a permanent home in more than one state, you are allowed to buy handguns in the state where you reside at the time, but you are not allowed to buy handguns in the other state(s).

FWIW if you have a C&R license, you are free to purchase C&R handguns in any state, but you cannot sell handguns, C&R or not, to an out-of-state nonlicensee without a transfer.
 
If you are on really good terms with your local FFL, he can give you signed copies of his FFL with a statement authorizing you to act as his agent in purchasing guns. That way you give the dealer the FFL copy, get a copy of his FFL, and you can walk out with the gun. You check in AS SOON AS POSSIBLE with the local dealer so he can record the gun on his books. You pay his fee and, if there is no state waiting period, you go home with the gun.

Even better is to get a C&R license which allows you to buy anywhere (except some states that don't recognize them) for C&R items.

Jim
 
Thanks guys. Looks like there are better deals out there, but true, all the legalities would make it not worth it. Appreciate all the input.
 
Texas and Arkansas are contiguous, aren't they?

My information may be dated, but I recall that you could buy a firearm in your home state or a neighboring state without Federal restrictions, as long as the two states had a common border.

When did that change?

Lost Sheep
 
Lost Sheep My information may be dated, but I recall that you could buy a firearm in your home state or a neighboring state without Federal restrictions, as long as the two states had a common border.

When did that change?
Click to expand...

1968.:D
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gun_Control_Act_of_1968

Federal law allows a nonresident to purchase a rifle or shotgun only from a licensed dealer in another state. At one time such "long gun" sales were restricted to "contiguous states" but that restriction was lifted a number of years ago. The purchase of a handgun by a nonresident has been illegal since GCA 1968.
 
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