It’s not out of the ordinary for responsible Texas gun owners to share their guns with their spouses. In other words, your partner in life might tell you to go ahead and take his or her gun to use at the local range, or he or she may simply give you a gun as a gift to carry and use. These are examples of situations that could have you wondering whether or not it’s legal to carry a gun owned by your spouse. The firearms education pros from Online Texas LTC, a premier provider of LTC online classes, explore this topic below.
Gun Owners Aren’t Registered in a Database
Despite a common belief that there’s a national registry of all gun owners that links gun purchases to specific individuals, FindLaw.com points out this isn’t the case. Even on a statewide level, most states don’t register handguns based on specific purchases. Typically, as long as someone purchasing a gun, especially in a more gun-friendly state like Texas, passes a background check and meets all state and federal requirements, anything that happens to the firearm after it’s purchased is up to the owner.
Even if Your Spouse’s Name Is Linked to Gun Sale Records, You Should Be Fine
There’s usually a record of a gun sale that links the serial number of the firearm to the individual who purchased it. This info is often reported to authorities as well. Even when this is the case, the purchaser is still normally free to let a spouse use the gun or pass it along to a significant other as a gift without any legal repercussions.
You’ll Still Need to Be a Legal & Responsible Gun User
The one big caveat with carrying a gun owned by your spouse is that you must meet the requirements for legal gun ownership. This extends to any state requirements for either concealed or open carry, both of which are legal and permitted in Texas. In the Lone Star State, this means having a license to carry, or LTC. For instance, if you’ve already obtained your own LTC in your name, you should be good to go when carrying your spouse’s gun.
Be Practical & Sensible when Carrying a Gun Owned by a Spouse
Lastly, when carrying a gun owned by your spouse, use just as much common sense as you would if carrying your own firearm. In other words, conceal the handgun if you’re going to a place where open carry isn’t permitted. Also, realize that if you violate a law specific to your firearm, you’ll likely be the one legally responsible, not your spouse. It’s also a good idea to take the following steps when carrying a gun owned by your spouse:
• Checking to see what gun laws apply in other states if you’ll be traveling outside of Texas with a gun owned by your spouse
• Inspecting and checking the gun to make sure it’s in good working order
• Only using a gun owned by your spouse if it’s one you feel comfortable carrying and using
Whatever your reason for choosing to carry a firearm, it’s vital to know how to use it safely. Online Texas LTC is dedicated to providing the finest firearms training possible. Whether you want to take a Texas LTC class to get your carry permit or you simply want to learn how to handle a gun and shoot safely, Online Texas LTC has what you need. Give us a call today at 512-675-2124.
