First I'd like to say hello to the community. I'm a 27 year old native Texan and while I've always been active in shooting sports I've always used other people guns. I have just a couple questions about buying a new pistol.

1) My DL was recently suspended for failing to pay a surcharge fee on an insurance violation (violation was 2 years ago and I never recieved the notice that I needed to pay a fee) I have paid this fee and my lisence will be reinstated soon. Will this play a role at all in my application for a handgun? I have no felonies, no real record other than that insurance ticket and a MIP when I was 20.

2) Will buying a rifle require the same paperwork and check from the FBI as a pistol? Also after I'm approved for the pistol am I able to buy any firearm that I want afterwards without resubmitting that paperwork?

3) I own a quad cab Dodge truck, I've noticed that current laws state that I should have my gun stored in my trunk and unloaded while I travel if i do not have a Concealed Carry lisence. What would be the best way and most legal way to transport my new pistol in my truck? I already have the paperwork for my Concealed lisence, which I went to get before the pistol and found out my DL was suspended

Thanks in advance for the help and I look forward to being active on these forums and learning and sharing my experience with guns and hunting in the future.
P.S. I just bought a compoud bow and plan to get into stalking, more on that as I gain experience!

welcome to the forum. not sure about the laws but the bowhuntin thing rocks.

I will do the best I can to answer your questions!

#1 You will need a VALID license to buy a gun! Suspended is not VALID!

#2 You will have to fill out paper work on every gun you buy from a licensed dealer, and unless you have a CHL you will have to do a back ground check also!

#3 I would recheck the law you are refering to! The current law (HB 1815) allows for you to carry a loaded weapon in your vehichle provided you meet the criteria of HB 1815!

Hope that helps and welcome to the forum!

Here is a link to the current law (HB 1815)! READ CAREFULLY!!!
http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlodocs/80R/billtext/html/HB01815I.htm

To clarify, i've paid the fine and my DL is in the process of being reinstated. My question is if a suspended DL for any reason will red flag me for being approved or disapproved in the application process. (both for buying a handgun and also for the Concealed Carry classes.)

P.S. Im waiting for it to be reinstated before I go apply, naturally.

When buying a handgun NICS could delay you on the sale but I dont think they would deny the sale. I dont see a problem with the sale once you get your dl back and all is good on your record.

cool thanks for the info

You can buy a handgun from any individual without needing a valid license or you could just borrow a gun from a friend. Considering you don't currently meet the HB 1815, you can't carry it in your car but you can buy one now with the DL the way it is. Another thing you can try is calling DPS CHL section and ask them if a clearance letter would bring you into compliance with HB 1815. I've done similar to this but it was only to clear my DL, not a CHL, I had to keep the paperwork with me in order for me to be legal driving. It might be worth a try anyway. Good luck

Just got off the phone with DPS CHL section. They said as long as the DL is clear in the Computer, you're good to go. You can call the DL section and they can tell you if it's clear or not.

There is no other way to buy a gun if you don't have a license? I find that hard to believe. I have a license, so it isn't a big deal to me. But I can't imagine it being illegal, as long as the person is over the required age and has a clean record.

You can't buy a gun without a license at certain places that actually go through the check. Right now, in Texas, guns can be given as gifts, lended indefinitely, and bought and sold friend to friend without any check required. Hell even a convicted felon can possess a handgun on his own property, he just can't buy one, with or without the background check. I suppose it could happen but it really opens the seller up for possible criminal charges or civil lawsuits if the felon uses the gun in a crime.

My DL is reinstated and I'm headed out to buy my new pistol this weekend. Was my suspended DL the reason you said I didnt meet HB 1815? I have the paperwork for my CHL, but as with buying a gun, I couldn't start the process until it was reinstated. Interesting that there are ways around owning a gun legally without having a DL, you'd think that they would crack down hardcore on that. Thanks again for the advice, I was just curious if there was a time period I should wait after my DL was reinstated to go apply for the background check, or if I'm good to go as soon as its reinstated, seems like it will be the later. Wish me luck and I'll keep you up to date on what I pick out. Im leaning Ruger SR9 or Springfield XD "M"

Sorry ya'll.

A valid DL is NOT mandatory for the purchase of a gun.

In the typical gun buying places, the DL is usually used to satisfy the requirement of a DPS issued identification #. So either a DL or a state ID card. The DL just happens to be the most commonly used form of ID used. Here's the link.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/ftp/forms/LS-16.pdf

The reference is on page 13, under Section 411.172(b)6.

It's good to hear your squared away. I, personally, would go with the XDM. A factory match barrel on an improved XD design is just too good to pass up. Good luck.

XDM in 9mm is where I'm going, after picking up a magazine with an story on both of them (how awesome is that?) I saw that the SR9 has some wierd features that I wont want or need. Plus its already been recalled once. Plus the Springfield is so highly regarded and has been recommended to me so many times I'd have to be crazy not to give it a shot. Thanks to everyone who gave advice, now i just have to go blast off a few hundred rounds before I get my bow delivered and get it all tuned up for my days off!

Ended up with XDM .40 =)

Very wise choice, brother! That's the next pistol on my list. Just stock up on the spare mags. Get a few extra spare mags incase Obama wins. If he's winning, even half way through the counting, there'll be a mad rush on high cap mags and assault style rifles. Gun companies stocks will spike...and the sky will fall. J/K

Man, I'm excited for you. Enjoy that thing!

May I recommend Speer Gold Dot as your carry ammo?