Guns, laws, etc

If a few of you would indulge me...
I am Canadian, and gun laws are very tight here in Ontario. My questions are honest, and probably quite naive.
Can you just walk into a gun shop and buy whatever handgun suits your fancy? Do you need any kind of permit? I have heard one cannot carry a 'concealed weapon'. What does that mean, exactly? If you are wearing a holster under your coat, is that not concealed? You can't exactly walk into walmart with a gun in your hand.. right???
I appreciate your patience. I will just sit here drinking my brewsky and chewing on my backbacon like a good Canadian...

If a few of you would indulge me...
I am Canadian, and gun laws are very tight here in Ontario. My questions are honest, and probably quite naive.
Can you just walk into a gun shop and buy whatever handgun suits your fancy?

For the most part, yes. There are certain firearms that are illegal such as fully automatic weapons (think the Uzi's you see in movies that spit a clip of bullets with a single trigger pull), also some weapons that have been modified from their original or intended manufacturing are illegal (sawed off shotguns). There are a lot of others, but I don't know them all. Pretty much any regular semi-automatic or revolver handgun is available, as are most types of rifles/shotguns and some types of assault rifles.

Do you need any kind of permit?

To own a handgun, no. There is a whole list of things that you can't be if you want to own a gun. You can't be convicted of any crime classed above a Class B Misdemeanor, you can't be chemically dependent, you have to possess the ability to make rational judgment calls, can't be delinquent in child support payments, can't have a restraining order against you, etc. Pretty much anyone over the age of 21 that can pass the FBI background check can buy a handgun. To carry it though, you have to have a permit in Texas. There are some states that have open carry laws, where you can carry your gun concealed or not without having to have any kind of permit.

I have heard one cannot carry a 'concealed weapon'. What does that mean, exactly? If you are wearing a holster under your coat, is that not concealed? You can't exactly walk into Wilmar with a gun in your hand.. right???

It is only legal to carry concealed weapons if you have attended a class and received a "concealed carry license". I have one and can carry my loaded firearm pretty much anywhere I go. There are laws, of course, prohibiting anyone other than law enforcement carrying guns in banks, schools, hospitals, courthouses, and several other similar types of buildings. Also, it is unlawful to carry a concealed weapon into any business that has posted "no firearms permitted" signs.

Also, it's illegal to have a concealed carry license and carry a gun that you intentionally fail to conceal (carrying it on your belt without a coat or shirt to cover it).

I appreciate your patience. I will just sit here drinking my brewsky and chewing on my backbacon like a good Canadian...

Keep in mind though that all my answers are based on Texas law. Each state will have their own laws and regulations regarding the buying, carrying, and licensing of handguns.


With that said, I carry a .40 Taurus 24/7 Pro-Carry. It's a bit larger profiled than I really would like as a concealed weapon to carry around a city with me. I would want something slim and really compact for that, but being out in the boonies like I am, it works well. It has a weight and feel that fits me very well. I've always preferred a gun with a bit of heft to it, not something that weighs less than a cell phone.

[QUOTE=smrobs;1382132]


Also, it's illegal to have a concealed carry license and carry a gun that you intentionally fail to conceal (carrying it on your belt without a coat or shirt to cover it).

I don't think this is correct. You can wear it on your belt. At least here.

12 gauge double barrel coach gun (the longer barrel, shoulder stock version, since the under 12" barrel with pistol grip version isn't legal in SC for non law enforcement even if you have the federal permit).

Does it all for me. Good for anything I run into (since we don't have brown bear)

It is illegal in Texas. I was going through my copy of the TDPS Hangun Laws booklet just to make sure that I didn't give any incorrect information. That's why I said

Depends on the state. They all have their own laws in addition to the federal laws.
In some states anything the federal gov't will grant a permit for is legal. Other states have more restrictions and won't permit weapons that even the federal gov't will grant permits for.
You have to look at the laws of each state to know what you can or can't own or carry. It's an interesting system since some states have very strick laws on possessing a firearm, but are not as strict about which ones you can possess. Others make it very easy to own a firearm, but have strict controls on what weapons you can own. And other combinations of requirements for still other states. Some state recognize each others permits and others do not. Some state don't require permits and other do.
There's no simple answer that will cover the variety of different rules each state might have.

That is not correct at all. With the correct tax stamp from the ATF both of those kinds of firearms are legal to own in most states, Texas included.

See my answers in red above.

By definition, assault rifles have the capability of automatic fire. Therefore the AR15 you can buy at a gunstore with nothing but an ATF 4473 is not an assault rifle. It's just a rifle like any other.

Hand gun carry is a little tricky as it varies from state to state. There was a bill introduced in congress to create a national standard for carry across state lines. I'm not sure if it died a death in committee or what, but a New York drivers license is honored in Vermont and visa versa but a state issued handgun carry permit (concealed carry permit in some states) isn't and reciprocity is determined between states.

Here's a good web site just click on a state to see the laws:

Handgunlaw.us

For instance, Tennessee honors permits from 40 states.