What are the steps to buying a gun in Texas?

Texas is known for straightforward firearm purchasing rules, but there are still key steps every buyer must follow. First, decide whether you’re purchasing from a federally licensed dealer (FFL) or through a private, occasional transfer. Your path looks different depending on which route you take, especially around background checks and paperwork.

If you buy from an FFL, you’ll complete ATF Form 4473, present valid ID, and undergo a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check. The dealer submits your information, and if NICS returns “proceed,” you can take the firearm the same day in most cases. There’s no state-mandated waiting period in Texas.

Private, occasional sales between Texas residents don’t have a state requirement for background checks, but the seller may not knowingly transfer a firearm to someone prohibited. Recent federal rulemaking also tightened when someone counts as “engaged in the business,” meaning many profit-seeking sellers must be licensed and run checks. Know which side of that line you’re on before you buy or sell.

Age limits and residency rules still apply. Generally, FFLs may sell handguns only to buyers 21+ and long guns to buyers 18+, and handgun sales by FFLs are limited to state residents, with specific exceptions handled through in-state dealers. Always verify your eligibility, keep your receipt, and follow safe-storage practices after purchase.

How do you buy a handgun in Texas?

At a gun store (FFL), bring a government-issued photo ID with your current address, choose your handgun, then complete ATF Form 4473. The dealer runs your NICS background check and, if approved, transfers the firearm; Texas does not impose an extra state waiting period for that transfer.

If you’re purchasing via a private, occasional transfer within Texas, state law does not mandate a background check, but transfers to prohibited persons are illegal, and many profit-driven sellers must now be licensed and conduct checks under updated federal rules. When in doubt, complete the transfer through an FFL.

Do you need a permit to purchase a gun in Texas?

No separate Texas “purchase permit” is required for buying a firearm. You don’t need a state license to buy, and Texas does not maintain a general firearm registration system. Your main compliance at the point of sale is the federal 4473 form and NICS background check when buying from an FFL.

That said, eligibility rules still apply: federal and state law bar possession for certain people (e.g., specific felony convictions or active protective orders). Private sellers cannot transfer to someone they know is prohibited. Responsible buyers should also review local posting laws for carry on private property after purchase.

What background check is required to buy a gun in Texas?

From a licensed dealer, the check is the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). You complete Form 4473, the dealer submits the check, and you receive a “proceed,” “delay,” or “deny” response; Texas does not add a state-level layer.

Private, non-business transfers between Texas residents are not universally subject to background checks under Texas law, but the 2024 federal rule requires many sellers who are predominantly selling for profit to be licensed and to run checks regardless of venue, including gun shows and online.

What is the legal age to buy a gun in Texas?

When buying from an FFL, federal law sets the floor: 21+ for handguns and 18+ for rifles and shotguns. Private transfers in Texas follow state prohibitions (e.g., no selling to minors and no transfers to prohibited persons), but relying on a private transfer to “work around” the federal limits is illegal if the seller is actually engaged in the business.

Always confirm the seller’s status and your own eligibility. If you’re 18–20, discuss lawful options with a knowledgeable FFL; attempting a straw purchase or misrepresenting your age or residency on Form 4473 is a federal crime.

Is there a waiting period to buy a gun in Texas?

Texas imposes no state waiting period for firearm purchases. If your NICS check returns “proceed,” an FFL can transfer the firearm immediately, subject to federal rules on the background-check process. Some buyers may experience delays if additional review is needed, but that is part of NICS, not a Texas-mandated wait.

Because there’s no state waiting period, plan ahead for safe storage and training before you bring the firearm home. Many dealers offer orientation on safe handling and storage devices at the point of sale, which is wise to take advantage of even when not legally required.

Can non-residents buy guns in Texas?

Handgun purchases from an FFL generally must be completed in the buyer’s state of residence; the dealer can ship to an FFL in your home state for pickup there. Long-gun purchases have different interstate rules, but all must comply with the laws of both the seller’s and buyer’s states. Have valid government ID showing residency.

If you’re temporarily living in Texas and intend to make a home here, you may qualify as a Texas resident for GCA purposes, but you still need documentation that satisfies the dealer (primary ID plus any allowable supplemental proof if addresses don’t match). Ask your FFL what they accept before you shop.

How do private gun sales work in Texas?

Occasional, private transfers between Texas residents do not require a state background check by default, and there’s no state registration. However, you may not knowingly transfer to a prohibited person, and if you’re selling predominantly for profit, federal law requires you to be licensed and run checks—regardless of whether the sale is in a store, at a gun show, or online.

Best practice is to complete private sales through an FFL (who will run NICS and log the transfer) and to keep a record of the transaction. This protects both parties and helps avoid accidental violations when rules change.

What documents do you need to buy a gun in Texas?

Bring a government-issued photo ID with your current address. If your primary ID address is outdated, ask the dealer what supplemental documents they’ll accept to verify your current residence before you fill out Form 4473. You must personally appear to buy; someone else cannot lawfully purchase a gun for you if you’re the true buyer.

Dealers may also ask for optional contact info to complete their records or to support warranty service. If you hold a qualifying alternative permit in some states, NICS procedures can differ, but in Texas the standard 4473 + NICS path is the norm at the retail counter.

Can you buy a gun online in Texas?

Yes—practically, you buy online and ship to a local FFL, where you complete Form 4473 and the NICS check before taking possession. The online seller cannot ship a firearm directly to your home unless you are a qualifying licensee; the transfer must go through an FFL in your state.

If a website offers to ship a firearm to your door without using an FFL, treat that as a red flag. Also note that current federal rules require many profit-seeking online sellers to be licensed and run checks, closing the “gun show/online” loophole for commerce. Family gifts and isolated private transfers are treated differently.

Where can you carry after buying a gun in Texas?

Texas allows permitless carry (constitutional carry) for most adults 21+ who can legally possess a handgun, but location restrictions remain. Private property owners and certain posted locations (like schools and secured government facilities) can prohibit carry, and violating signage can bring legal penalties.

Separate from carry, buying a gun doesn’t grant permission to ignore posted rules or federal “gun-free” zones. If you want reciprocity for traveling, or faster NICS processing where applicable, you can still apply for a Texas License to Carry—many people do for training and travel benefits. Check current DPS guidance before carrying.