Can an 18 year old legally have a handgun in his posession in Texas?

[Rixuneaux]

I was asleep and I heard the distinct sound of the slide of a pistol over and over coming from my 18 year old son's room. Thats kinda unsettling! He had brought a pistol into my house that a friend gave him to "sell" for him. Whatever. The kid that gave it to him is 17 apparently. I took it and told him that if someone 21 or older wants to come get it (with proof that it's theirs) they can have it. Can he even legally posses a gun? He's not responsible enough to have his own gun. He still thinks of them as toys, so either way, he ain't getting it back. I just wanted to know because he keeps arguing that it's legal for him to have it.

[parabelum]

18 year old may have a handgun if it was a gift, he/she cannot purchase handgun or pistol ammo until 21 though.

Now, as far as him being responsible to own it, that's a different animal.

[JerryK]

Sec. 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;

But It is also illegal to possess a firearm in your house if you have given him notice since you are the landowner not him

[Jusme]

This is just my opinion, but if you have an 18 year old, who thinks guns are toys, the legality issue should be the least of your concerns. Secondly, the gun may be, and probably is, stolen.

You need to work with your son, teaching him gun safety, show him the damage bullets do to various objects,etc..
Also if he is running with other teenagers who have guns to give him to sell, you need to screen his friends more closely. I realize that at 18 he is legally an adult, but there are several red flags in your story that need to be addressed. JMHO

[dhoobler]

You can check this web site for the possibility that it is stolen:
http://www.hotgunz.com/

This is not a authoritative source. Stolen guns will only be there if the owner reported it. If you get a hit from this database, there is a good chance it is stolen. If you don't get a hit, it means nothing.

[rbwhatever1]

Is 18yo covered under mpa?

Yes it was legal when I researched it and I'm not aware of any changes. My young adult sons & daughter were all given handguns and carried them in their vehicles under MPA the day they turned 18 and gained the right to defend themselves while driving a vehicle. They did not gain the right to exist when not driving a vehicle for 3 more years...

[doncb]

I'd definitely get in touch with LE and have them take the gun. The 17yo wanting to unload a gun is a huge red flag. Especially when he wants someone else to do it. Here is what I see. The gun is stolen and the 17yo is holding hot property. Gets your son to sell it. Said gun is found to having been stolen / used in a crime. The person caught holding the gun rats on your son. Guess who the police are going to come for?

[Rixuneaux]

I had already checked to see if it was stolen and it shows it's clear, but it may be one of his parents guns and they don't know it's missing. My son knows very well how to handle a weapon and is very safe when with adults at the range, but I'm afraid that, like his driving, when he's with his friends his responsibility goes out the window. All of his friends think they live in a Fast And Furios movie or Grand Theft Auto video game and he's right there with them. They are a bunch of geeks that think they are Vin Diesel but it's more like Don Knotts. And you can't talk any sense into their heads.

[WTR]

What is all this talk about calling a LEO instead of the parents? I would have been in risk of being in much more risk of being in trouble from my parents then some LEO.

[Sport Coach]

Rixuneaux, I'll say prayers for you and your son. You asked about it being legal and others have given that advice. I would have strong reactions if this occurred in my house. I've always told kids to ask and taken them to the gun range when they wanted to go to ensure they understand guns are not toys.

[CleverNickname]

18 year old may have a handgun if it was a gift, he/she cannot purchase handgun or pistol ammo until 21 though.

An 18-20 y.o. can purchase a handgun and handgun ammo from a non-FFL. It doesn't have to be a gift.

[TresHuevos]

Is 18yo covered under mpa?

Yes it was legal when I researched it and I'm not aware of any changes. My young adult sons & daughter were all given handguns and carried them in their vehicles under MPA the day they turned 18 and gained the right to defend themselves while driving a vehicle. They did not gain the right to exist when not driving a vehicle for 3 more years...

great to know! i have a sister coming up on 18.

does that also applies on college campuses?

My understanding is that MPA does not cover college campuses. My 20 y.o. daughter has the gun that I gifted her but cannot take it in her car when she drives on campus.