Owning a gun offers protection for many individuals and access to leisure activities such as hunting and socializing at shooting ranges. Regardless of why a person chooses to purchase a gun, there are legal aspects that could prevent the transaction, including those mentioned below. Take a moment to discover what could prevent you from owning a firearm in the state of Texas and what options may be available in these situations. The firearms safety education professionals from Online Texas LTC, your premier choice for taking a license to carry Texas class, explain what you need to know about why you may be prohibited from owning guns in Texas.
Legal Age Requirements
Even if you have the skill and maturity level to own a gun, the law could prevent that from happening if you don’t meet the state’s requirements. For example, your 16-year-old child might have been raised around guns in your home throughout his or her life and understands the importance of safety and security when it comes to firearms. Still, legally, your child cannot purchase a rifle from a firearms dealer until age 18, or a handgun at age 21. However, in Texas, handguns can be purchased from a private seller at age 18. It’s important to note that Texas doesn’t have a minimum age to possess a firearm. Although individuals under 18 can’t buy a gun themselves, they could potentially be given a gun by a parent. However, adults are also criminally liable for gun activity by their minor children.
Past Convictions
If you’ve been arrested and convicted in a court of law, a felony conviction could prevent you from owning a gun, even after being released from jail and paying all fines. This also applies to individuals subject to family court orders for family violence. The order will expressly state if a gun can be owned. However, even if the court order doesn’t list this detail, you’ll need to verify it with a family court official before purchasing a firearm.
Serving your time for a conviction and being rehabilitated can lead to many opportunities, and in some cases, it may not prohibit gun ownership. It’s best to speak with government agencies and dealers to learn more about your rights when it comes to purchasing a gun despite past criminal convictions.
Medical Conditions
Dangerous and challenging situations could occur inside and outside the home for gun owners, so they need to be able to think clearly and make quick decisions. Being under the influence of a controlled substance could prevent accurate and appropriate choices, which is why specific medical conditions and even legally prescribed medications might prohibit gun ownership in Texas. In addition to people with diseases that affect mental sharpness, individuals addicted to drugs are considered unlawful users of handguns in Texas.
Illegal Citizen
Citizens of the United States have a right to purchase firearms with legal proof, such as birth certificates, visas, and other documents. However, if you’re an illegal alien or residing in the United States under a nonimmigrant visa, Texas law doesn’t permit you to purchase or own a handgun. If you were legally born in the United States but renounced your citizenship, the state of Texas will prohibit gun ownership. It would be best to speak with an attorney or other legal representative to determine your options in all these situations.
Whether you already own a firearm or you’re considering purchasing one, it’s essential to know the laws governing who can legally own and carry firearms. Online Texas LTC is dedicated to providing the finest firearms training available. Whether you simply need to learn how to handle a gun and shoot safely or you want to take a Texas LTC class, Online Texas LTC has what you need. Give us a call today at 512-675-2124.
