Buying, Selling, Trading & Consignments
In order to purchase a firearm in the state of Texas, you have to be eligible under federal gun laws and state laws. There are a few reasons you can be barred from a firearm transaction with a gun dealer.
What Are the Requirements to Purchase a Firearm?
Age Requirements
At least 18 years of age to purchase a long gun. For handguns and handgun ammunition, the United States prohibits possession under the age of 18. In the state of Texas, you must be at least 21 years old to purchase a handgun or receiver.
Criminal History
Under federal law, you are a prohibited person if you have a felony conviction, certain domestic violence misdemeanors on your criminal record, or adjudicated as a danger to yourself or others.
What to Expect?
Texas does not have a waiting period, nor does it register firearms. You do have to show government issued identification, such as a driver’s license, to ensure your eligibility to purchase a gun. If you have a License to Carry (LTC), including a concealed carry license, bring it in, we will not need to conduct a background check. You will just simply fill out the required paperwork.
Background Checks & Transferred In Firearms: All customers purchasing firearms (either online or in the store) must complete all ATF requirements to transfer their purchases.
We require that you authorize in writing at the time of the purchase and transfer in store the listed item(s) as follows:
- I will be the owner of the listed item(s), pending completion of ATF requirements
- I am the owner of the listed item(s) and am transferring out to another FFL
You agree that:
- Per ATF authority, CHT maintains the right to deny any sale, service, and/or transfer for any reason.
- I meet all ATF requirements as to the purchase, ownership, and possession of the above listed item(s).
- I possess the valid identification requirements specified by the state, federal, and CHT.
- I am not committing a STRAW PURCHASE.
- If I receive a NICS or any other DENIAL, my options are:
- I am responsible for acquiring a return shipping label, a Return Authorization Number (RMA), and will be charged $159.98 (non-NFA item) or $199.99 (NFA item) to have CHT return the item for me.
- I can pay storage fees of $50 per month while going through the Appeal Process.
- I can put my item on consignment to be sold at CHT.
Complete the required paperwork
As a licensed firearm dealer, we are required to complete a federal Firearms Transaction Record, also referred to as ATF Form or Form 4473. The form will ask some questions about your eligibility to own a firearm and your identity.
Wait for the dealer to complete a background check
We perform the background check requirement on the spot, through the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). It ensures you are eligible to purchase a firearm. Due to federal laws, the individual who is purchasing the firearm must be present.
Complete your purchase
Once you are found eligible to purchase a firearm we will complete the financial portion of your transaction. We accept all major forms of payment including, Mastercard, Visa, Discover and American Express. If you pay with CASH or a CHECK, you get our lowest price on your items!
Don’t Lie for the Other Guy
A Straw Purchase is a Serious Crime
STOP ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING IN FIREARMS ACT
In June 2022 Congress passed 18 U.S.C. § 932 and 18 U.S.C. § 933. These new laws establish new criminal offenses for the straw purchasing of firearms and strengthen existing federal laws that prohibit the transfer of firearms to those who are legally prevented from owning one. The law increases the maximum terms of imprisonment for straw purchasing to 15 years and a $250,000 fine and up to a 25-year prison sentence if the weapon is used to commit a felony, in an act of terrorism, or a drug trafficking crime.
A straw purchase happens when a buyer receives goods or services on behalf of a third party. Regarding firearms transactions, straw purchases are strictly unlawful. A buyer cannot purchase a gun on behalf of a person prohibited by law from buying or possessing a gun. You also can’t purchase a gun for someone who wants to avoid a background check.
A person who purchases a firearm from a licensed dealer, but lies or misleads the seller about the identity of the ultimate possessor, can be charged with a very serious federal crime.
Understanding Federal Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record)
To understand how straw purchases work, you must understand your requirements when buying a firearm from a dealer. When you purchase a gun from a licensed firearm dealer, you must fill out Federal Form 4473. This form is the official Firearms Transaction Record kept by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The key question to look at on this is Question 11. This question asks the buyer if they are the actual “transferee/buyer” of the weapon. This question comes with an explicit warning: a person is not the actual transferee/buyer if they purchase the firearm on another party’s behalf.
Defining a Straw Purchase
The language of Federal Form 4473 can be confusing. Does it mean that you cannot buy a gun as a gift? Can you only purchase a firearm for your use? Can you buy a firearm with the intention of immediately re-selling it? The answers to these questions are all deeply complicated. You need to be very careful when dealing with firearms purchases. To protect yourself, you should always disclose as much information as possible. To give you a better understanding of ATF regulations, the following four scenarios are all examples of illegal straw purchases:
You cannot buy a firearm as a gift for someone you believe is prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms.
You cannot buy a firearm for a person you believe will use that firearm to commit a crime.
You cannot buy a firearm for a person to help them get around the background check.
You cannot buy a firearm for a person so that their name is not listed as a purchaser or possessor for a certain make and model of a gun.
A Straw Purchase is a Serious Crime
Under 18 U.S. Code § 922, a straw purchase is considered a serious criminal offense. Making false oral or written statements when attempting to acquire a firearm from a licensed dealer is a serious crime. You could get in trouble if you attempt to deceive the seller or the government.
How to Buy a Gun Online
Even if you purchase your firearm online, you must pick up your gun from a licensed dealer/FFL dealer. You will still need to satisfy the ATF Form 4473 and background check requirements to take possession of the firearm. If you buy your gun online, the dealer will require you to have a licensed gun dealer “receive” your purchase so that you may complete the ATF paperwork with us. This is what is called a FFL TRANSFER and you need to be sure to contact us during (or after) your purchase with the details of what you bought and where you bought from.
How to Sell a Gun Online
Online Firearm Sales & Transfers – Crosshairs Texas LLC
Online firearm sales are strictly regulated to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local laws. All firearms sold online must be transferred through a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) in the buyer’s state—firearms may not be shipped directly to individuals.
How It Works
List or purchase firearms through compliant platforms such as GunBroker or GunsAmerica
Buyer selects a local FFL dealer
Firearm is shipped to the FFL
FFL conducts the required NICS background check and completes the transfer
Key Requirements
Interstate sales require an FFL
Buyers must meet age and eligibility requirements
Firearms must be shipped via approved carriers using discreet packaging
Proper documentation and recordkeeping are required for ATF compliance
At Crosshairs Texas LLC, we ensure every transfer is handled legally, securely, and professionally. Contact us with any questions or to begin your transfer.
Prior to Making A Gun Purchase
At Crosshairs Texas, you have the opportunity to try before you buy. Firearm purchases are a commitment, and you want to make sure you love your firearm before you take it home. Whether you want a firearm for self-defense or hunting with your hunting license, you may need a different type of firearm than you originally thought, so it is important to ask questions when buying a firearm.
If you are not sure about your long gun or handgun purchase, Crosshairs Texas offers firearm rentals to shoot in our Outdoor shooting range.
After finding your perfect match or best first gun, you will truly be ready for gun ownership.
Consignments & Layaway Programs
Consignment program
At Crosshairs Texas, you have the opportunity to sell your used firearms without having to advertise and “interview” all the potential buyers.
We do that all for you!
Layaway program
We also offer 2 different layaway programs and you will love how easy it is to buy a new gun!
BUY-OF-THE-DAY
Check out our PRE-OWNED INVENTORY. We text & email our current pre-owned inventory weekly. These items move fast and this is the best way to get first pick on Colts, LWRC, Winchester, Military Rifles, Browning, and so many more hard-to-find and rare guns.
BUYING FROM ANOTHER PERSON
Use our Texas Guns Sales to be sure it’s a legal transaction.
Here is a Bill Of Sale to use when selling or purchasing from another individual.
UNSURE about SELLING your firearm and what it is worth?
Complete this form and we will review and email you back within 24-48 hours:
