Transferring a Handgun to My Adult Son

[Crash]

Don't know where else to post this, so here goes:

I want to transfer ownership, i.e., give, a handgun to my adult son who lives in another city in Texas. As far as I know, the gun ( a S&W Model 10 manufactured in 1980) has never been registered under Texas laws. I (a private purchaser) bought it at a gun show from another private individual, not a gun dealer. There was no paperwork done and I paid cash for it. I doubt that it was ever on a 4473. Can I just give it to my son (who is not and has never been a felon) without doing a legal transfer?

Thanks for your help,

Crash

[03Lightningrocks]

Yes. Private exchange of firearms between individuals requires no FFL transfer. Buying or gifting is no problem. They simply must be a Texas resident and have no felonies.

[glazer1972]

Yes.

[rotor]

Don't know where else to post this, so here goes:

I want to transfer ownership, i.e., give, a handgun to my adult son who lives in another city in Texas. As far as I know, the gun ( a S&W Model 10 manufactured in 1980) has never been registered under Texas laws. I (a private purchaser) bought it at a gun show from another private individual, not a gun dealer. There was no paperwork done and I paid cash for it. I doubt that it was ever on a 4473. Can I just give it to my son (who is not and has never been a felon) without doing a legal transfer?

Thanks for your help,

Crash

None of my guns are registered.

[mrvmax]

FYI here are some references validating what has been stated already:
https://www.atf.gov/firearms/qa/whom-ma ... -under-gca

https://www.atf.gov/questions-and-answe ... gistration

[The Annoyed Man]

There’s no gun registration in Texas. You can give or sell the gun to Texas resident you want to, as long as that person is not barred by law from possessing it.

[carlson1]

There’s no gun registration in Texas. You can give or sell the gun to Texas resident you want to, as long as that person is not barred by law from possessing it.

[ghostrider]

Can I just give it to my son (who is not and has never been a felon) without doing a legal transfer?

Giving it to your son IS a legal transfer.

(Note: I am not a lawyer. The above statement does not constitute legal advice. YMMV.)

[The Annoyed Man]

Can I just give it to my son (who is not and has never been a felon) without doing a legal transfer?

Giving it to your son IS a legal transfer.

(Note: I am not a lawyer. The above statement does not constitute legal advice. YMMV.)

Caveat.... no paper trail necessary as long as the transfer is between Texas residents who are lawfully able to possess a handgun. If the son is out of state, then transfer through an FFL might be required.

[Crash]

Yes. Private exchange of firearms between individuals requires no FFL transfer. Buying or gifting is no problem. They simply must be a Texas resident and have no felonies.

03Lightningrocks:

Thanks for the info--I appreciate it.

Crash

[Crash]

Yes.

glazer1972 - Thanks for your help.

Crash

[Crash]

Thanks to all you guys who replied with good info on the subject--I really appreciate the help.

Crasj

[puma guy]

Don't know where else to post this, so here goes:

I want to transfer ownership, i.e., give, a handgun to my adult son who lives in another city in Texas. As far as I know, the gun ( a S&W Model 10 manufactured in 1980) has never been registered under Texas laws. I (a private purchaser) bought it at a gun show from another private individual, not a gun dealer. There was no paperwork done and I paid cash for it. I doubt that it was ever on a 4473. Can I just give it to my son (who is not and has never been a felon) without doing a legal transfer?

Thanks for your help,

Crash

There is no gun registration in Texas. If your Model 10 was manufactured in 1980 it's initial sale or transfer was done with a 4473 form completed; a legal requirement since 1968. As others have stated so long as your son can legally possess a firearm you are safe to give it to him.

[Crash]

Don't know where else to post this, so here goes:

I want to transfer ownership, i.e., give, a handgun to my adult son who lives in another city in Texas. As far as I know, the gun ( a S&W Model 10 manufactured in 1980) has never been registered under Texas laws. I (a private purchaser) bought it at a gun show from another private individual, not a gun dealer. There was no paperwork done and I paid cash for it. I doubt that it was ever on a 4473. Can I just give it to my son (who is not and has never been a felon) without doing a legal transfer?

Thanks for your help,

Crash

There is no gun registration in Texas. If your Model 10 was manufactured in 1980 it's initial sale or transfer was done with a 4473 form completed; a legal requirement since 1968. As others have stated so long as your son can legally possess a firearm you are safe to give it to him.

puma guy,

I didn't know that they were using 4473s as far back as 1968. Anyway, when I bought it from a private seller at a gun show (don't remember the year, but it was nearly 10 years ago), of course I didn't fill out a 4473. He gave me the gun, I gave him the money and that was it. So, it was never registered to me.

Crash

[puma guy]

Don't know where else to post this, so here goes:

I want to transfer ownership, i.e., give, a handgun to my adult son who lives in another city in Texas. As far as I know, the gun ( a S&W Model 10 manufactured in 1980) has never been registered under Texas laws. I (a private purchaser) bought it at a gun show from another private individual, not a gun dealer. There was no paperwork done and I paid cash for it. I doubt that it was ever on a 4473. Can I just give it to my son (who is not and has never been a felon) without doing a legal transfer?

Thanks for your help,

Crash

There is no gun registration in Texas. If your Model 10 was manufactured in 1980 it's initial sale or transfer was done with a 4473 form completed; a legal requirement since 1968. As others have stated so long as your son can legally possess a firearm you are safe to give it to him.

puma guy,

I didn't know that they were using 4473s as far back as 1968. Anyway, when I bought it from a private seller at a gun show (don't remember the year, but it was nearly 10 years ago), of course I didn't fill out a 4473. He gave me the gun, I gave him the money and that was it. So, it was never registered to me.

Crash

Crash,
Yes, the GCA of 1968 included the requirement to complete the 4473 form. I was selling guns when the law was passed. It had some additional restrictions and requirements on sales of firearms and ammunition that thankfully have been modified in later legislation, but the 4473 remains. The forms do not "register" firearms with the state nor federal governments, but FFL's were required to retain the completed 4473's for 7 years when the law came out. I believe that is still true. I sold a lot of S&W's and the Model 10 was a popular and reliable revolver having been around many, many years. Very nice of your to gift your son the firearm, I know your he will enjoy shooting it. Keep shooting!

puma guy