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Is Legal to Sell a gun that isn't registered in my name?

Texas is classed every bit a "shall issue" land with the law granting ownership of firearms to whatever person at to the lowest degree eighteen years old. Texas gun laws do not regulate the possession of firearms, meaning any person can possess a firearm every bit long as they are not a felon. Pop to common conventionalities, you don't actually "register" guns in the State of Texas – there is no formal database. In fact, The Firearm Owners' Protection Human action of 1986 ensures that the authorities can't implement this kind of database fifty-fifty if they wanted to.

To discuss the practical application of gun ownership, Ft. Bend County defense chaser Shawn McDonald explains how Texans tin can own and sell guns without criminal liability. Yous may not be aware that if you lawfully and civically obtain a firearm from someone, you tin keep to use at your discretion or sell the firearm to someone else entirely. As long as y'all did non make a civic agreement with the original owner and the gun was not stolen, y'all are within your rights to go along or sell it.

This brings up a few lingering questions. What happens if you lot are a victim of gun theft? And, what precautions should you take before buying someone else'south firearm?

If yous are a victim of gun theft, it'south important that you study the crime to law enforcement immediately. Hopefully, y'all take kept a record of firearms in your possession and tin recite the make, model, and the serial number of the firearm to the police. From there, they volition enter it into a stolen database they apply, which increases the likelihood information technology will be returned to you and out of the mitt of the criminals.

On the flip side, if you are the potential buyer of a gun from a friend or acquaintance, arm yourself with cognition earlier purchasing the firearm. It is incommunicable to know a gun's history 100%, merely y'all tin can cheque online or with local law enforcement to run across if the gun has been reported stolen. As a second precaution, consider the trustworthiness of the seller. Whether it'southward a gun bear witness vendor or an old friend, do caution. You should exist able to obtain a beak of sale or other proof to confirm the purchase. Lastly, be knowledgeable about gun prices and resale value. If yous are beingness offered a gun at a suspiciously low price, that should be a red flag.

Given the possible consequences of buying and selling guns, both parties should be well-informed before acting.