Highlights
- You can sell guns in Dallas without a license.
- Permits to purchase and background checks aren’t needed for private gun sales in Dallas.
- There are no limits on how many guns a person can buy in Dallas.
- Texas law forbids the sale of guns to people under 18.
- Selling guns to Cash for Arms can be one of the most profitable ways to sell a gun in Dallas.
A Quick Guide to the Laws for Selling Guns in Dallas, TX
Do You Need a License to Sell Guns in Dallas?
You don’t need a license to sell guns in Dallas if you’re not in the business of dealing in guns.
That’s because 18 U.S. Code § 922 only requires licenses for those who trade guns in large amounts or regularly. An obvious example would be a gun store.
A private individual just selling a gun they no longer want is thus exempt from that law.
Do Gun Buyers Need Licenses or Permits to Purchase in Dallas?
Gun buyers don’t need licenses or permits to purchase in Dallas.
Do You Need to Register a Gun to Sell It in Dallas?
You don’t need to register a gun to sell it in Dallas because Texas has no gun registry.
Are Background Checks Needed for Gun Sales in Dallas?
Background checks aren’t needed in private gun sales in Dallas. They’re only required for gun sales by federally licensed dealers, otherwise known as Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs).
Are There Limits to How Many Guns Someone Can Buy in Dallas?
There are no limits to how many guns someone can buy in Dallas. This is true for the rest of the state of Texas.
What’s the Minimum Age to Buy Guns in Dallas?
The minimum age to buy a long gun from an FFL in Dallas is 18. To buy a handgun, it’s 21.
But for those buying from private sellers, the minimum age to buy a gun in Dallas is 18 (Tex. Penal Code Ann. § 46.06). That applies to both long guns and handguns.
Who Can’t Buy Guns in Dallas?
Because of the Gun Control Act, these people can’t buy guns in Dallas:
- Anyone indicted for or convicted of a crime that can be punished with imprisonment exceeding a year
- Anyone judged mentally defective or committed to a mental institution
- Anyone addicted to or illegally using controlled substances
- Anyone convicted of a domestic violence misdemeanor
- Anyone discharged from the Armed Forces dishonorably
- Anyone who has renounced US citizenship
- Fugitives from justice
- Illegal aliens
The Texas Penal Code also states that these people can’t buy guns in Dallas:
- Anyone known to have an active protective order directed to them
- Anyone known to intend the gun’s use in an unlawful act
- Convicts of certain domestic assault-related misdemeanors
- Anyone known to be intoxicated at the moment of sale
- Anyone younger than 18
- Convicted felons
Tex. Penal Code § 46.04 has a provision that allows convicted felons to still buy guns, though. They’re only banned from owning one for 5 years after either:
- Their release from confinement after the felony conviction
- Their release from supervision under parole or community/mandatory supervision after the felony conviction
After that, they can buy guns again. They just can’t have the gun on them if they’re not at home.
The Options for Gun Sellers in Dallas, TX
Option 1: Selling a Gun to Cash for Arms in Dallas
If you want to sell your gun in Dallas quickly at top market prices, Cash for Arms is hard to beat. We offer premium market-based offers, a way to sell from your home, and the safety of an FFL.
Just submit the gun on our website and wait. We usually send offers in an hour. After that, we’ll pay to ship your gun to us. You can even pick how you want to get your payment!
Tip: We generally pay on the same day we get your gun. If you want the gun to reach us ASAP so you can get paid quickly, ask us to arrange VIP Overnight Shipping. We’ll get the gun the very next day, so you’ll also get your payment then.
Option 2: Selling a Gun to a Dallas Gun Store
Dallas currently has about 23 gun stores. They’re a good choice if you want to sell locally and in-person to a licensed dealer. Keep in mind that not all gun stores in Dallas will buy a gun, though.
Start by calling up the stores nearby to see who’s interested in buying your gun. Bring your gun (unloaded!) to those for appraisal. Try as many stores as you can to get multiple offers, then pick the best one.
Tip: Gun stores may not offer too much for your gun, but they usually allow trade-ins. You can get decent deals by seeing what they have to offer.
Option 3: Selling a Gun to a Dallas Pawn Shop
This is another of the buyers with up-front payment if you need cash immediately. Just remember that not all pawn shops buy guns. You have to check if they have the license (Type 02 FFL) for it.
Once you’ve found qualified pawn shops, visit as many as you can to get offers. Again, ensure your gun’s unloaded for the appraisal. Compare your offers and go with the best one afterwards.
Tip: Of the buyers in this guide, pawn shops will likely give you the lowest offers. Many will offer you less than half of your gun’s value! Only take this path if you have no other choice.
Option 4: Selling a Gun to a Private Individual in Dallas
Private gun sales are great when you want more control as a seller. They do take more time than the other 3 options, but you can sometimes get the best prices with them.
To do a private gun sale, screen your buyers. The list we provided of prohibited people will help. From there, negotiate until you get the terms you want. After that, do the transaction in a safe and public space.
Tip: Struggling to find potential buyers? Try your personal contacts, online marketplaces like Texas Gun Trader, or even local gun shows.
A Safe, Speedy Option for Selling a Gun in Dallas, TX
That covers all you need to know to sell a gun in Dallas, Texas. If your main concern is ease-of-experience, you may want to go with Cash for Arms as your buyer.
At Cash for Arms, we make selling guns from home easier than ever. You can get a free appraisal, a great offer, and a fast sale with barely any effort. To get an offer for your gun, contact us now! You can also call us at (904) 977-5477.