TexasCHLforum.com

Gentlemen:

Is there an age limit on carrying a handgun in your car? I ask because my son and daughter are now over 18 (18 & 19). Young people used to be able to carry a long gun but I am not sure of the age restrictions of carrying a handgun in the car. I have plenty of handguns to give them along with the ammo so aquiring them is not at issue.

Thanks for any help

Hank

I'm only somewhat familiar with Chapter 46 of the Penal Code, but I'm not aware of anything that makes it illegal for you to give your children older than 17 access to a handgun on your property (such as your vehicle).

IANAL, but I believe 17 and older.

Leaving a loaded weapon accessible to someone under 17 can be charged as §46.13. MAKING A FIREARM ACCESSIBLE TO A CHILD. But someone 17 and older is allowed to possess a firearm (handgun and long gun) in Texas.

I believe it is 21.

For sure, if it is legal for you to own it, it is legal for you to have it in your car.

It is not 21. H.B 1815 has no age restriction. 17 or 18 is the legal age to own a handgun in TX. Can't buy one at that age from a gun shop, or the ammo, but they would still be covered under 1815.

nyj wrote:It is not 21. H.B 1815 has no age restriction. 17 or 18 is the legal age to own a handgun in TX. Can't buy one at that age from a gun shop, or the ammo, but they would still be covered under 1815.

Correct, federal law requires a person to be 21 or older to PURCHASE a handgun from a licensed dealer. State law, I believe, is 17 for possession. Although if you read the statutes for yourself and still have questions - I would consult an actual attorney versed in Texas firearms law.

Yet an 18y/o can buy from a private party. Who came up with these laws?

nyj wrote:Yet an 18y/o can buy from a private party. Who came up with these laws?

Well at the time the Feds still believed they could only restrict things based on interstate commerce - which is why it was limited to licensed dealers. They didn't have the ability to enforce it with private party intrastate transfers.

Hamourkiller wrote:Is there an age limit on carrying a handgun in your car?

Yes. If you're over 70, or an AARP member of any age, you can't carry a gun in your car.



Kidding. Kidding. :biggrinjester:

I know you are allowed to legally buy a handgun in the state of Texas at 18. My brother in law now 20 bought his first handgun from another who was not an ffl at 18. He carries it in his glove box every day and it is legal.

I believe Jumping Frog is correct when saying at 17 they can legally possess but I can't remember the law. At 17 you are legally an adult in the state of Texas unless something has changed recently. Read into Texas law. It is there somewhere.

Either way if your children are 18 or older they may own and carry a handgun in their vehicle in the state of Texas. The topic comes up every once and a while try checking the search box also.

I think the confusion comes from 46.13. That says if a child gets their hands on a loaded gun that wasn't locked up, the person who didn't lock it up committed an offense. However, the child isn't breaking the law in that case, only the criminally negligent person who left a loaded gun laying around.

I'm simplifying here. You can read the actual law at http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/D ... /PE.46.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Thank you to all who chose to reply. I am comfortable that I read that law correctly.

Hank