Soon to be 18 year old needs help.

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dodging230grainers

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I live in Texas, and my eighteenth birthday is on Wednesday. I want to buy a shotgun from a gun store shortly thereafter, however my driver's license expires on my birthday, which means I have to go renew it that day.

Here's the question: Can I go into a gun store Wednesday afternoon and when asked for ID use a temporary Texas driver's license? If not, can I use my passport or some other form of ID? any suggestions would be great, thanks.
 
IAM NOT A LAWYER-

Here in MI I did just that went in with my ID and walked out with a brand new one.

In TX it might be different the only problem I could see is from the dealer giving you some grief over it (this happened to me). but you are probably OK but I would check just to be sure.
 
They let you keep your old license, they just cut the corner off it.
Your old license has your birth date on it and it is state issued ID....
Dig up your birth certificate if you have to.
 
Yeah I'm thinking just trying the passport.

My understanding is that an expired driver's license is not a valid form of ID when purchasing a firearm. Can anyone confirm that?
 
most of the time, an expired license is not recognized as valid... however, you might have luck if you have the expired license and an additional type of photo id...

but why cant you just go get a new DL on your b-day? i got one 2 weeks ago and it took less than a hour... is texas weird about that kind of thing?
 
This thread is making me think more and more about getting a passport. I've never had the need for one but it sure is nice to use it as a form of ID. Plus I hear we need a passport to come back into the US even from Canada now.
 
my dads drivers lisense had bad ink and his picture burned onto the plastic cover on the id slot in his wallet (it was replaced for free)

but he used his military id for stuff like guns and they never had a problem with it

so u should be fine with ur passport
 
Passports have a place to pencil-in your current address, i.e., some people may not accept it as proof of address, and since you are just turing 18, you probably don't get utility bills in your name. YMMV.
 
It's not an expired license; it's a photo (still valid) attached to a temporary drivers license (still valid). In any case, I bought a revolver and a pistol on my temporary license last week. Got two green cards with it. Bought two guns. Bought a couple drinks, too, although not at the same time.

Oddly, between the cop, two gun dealers, and a waitress, the waitress was the only one who was terribly flummoxed by the temp license. It was a little bizarre since I haven't looked remotely underage in a couple years now. I was insistent; she found the correct expiration.

The only potential problem is that people might be over-picky with you because of your youth and look for ways to trip you up or mess with you. Not terribly likely, but possible. But it won't be because of license; that'd just be a potential excuse.

ETA: Sorry, I thought the OP was in MI; still pretty sure that works that way across the board though. If a temp license isn't valid, it wouldn't be much of a license, eh?
 
At least here in MT an expired drivers license is considered valid ID for at least a few years. This of course does not help you in Texas at all...
 
Yeah I'm thinking just trying the passport.

My understanding is that an expired driver's license is not a valid form of ID when purchasing a firearm. Can anyone confirm that?
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Your passport, while a valid photo ID, is not enough to buy a gun. It can be used in combination with something else, but since passports do not list your home address they cannot be used by themselves, since your totality of ID must include a picture, your date of birth, and your address.

An expired license will not work for purchasing a gun, however, when you renew it they will cut the corner or the top off of your plastic license and give it back to you, along with a piece of paper that is your temporary license. You should be able to present your old license with your temporary license and you should be fine.

BTW, they are pretty good lately about getting your new license out to you. Mine arrived within a week.
 
Passports are proof of identity not proof of residency which a dealer needs to sell you a gun.

In addition to some of the other advice given here, does Texas DMV issue state ID cards with your photo as many states do? Get one of these if possible and you won't need your driver's license.
 
does Texas DMV issue state ID cards with your photo as many states do?
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They do, but he wouldn't have it in time for Wed. Here you go in and fill out the paperwork and take your picture, and then they mail your license to you.

When you renew, you can either go stand in line to get a new picture or you can renew via mail or the internet and they send you a new ID with the old picture they keep on file. (there may be different requirements for licensing and renewal for those under 21, but I'm not sure.)
 
Yeah, if you are aged 18 or under you have to go in person to the DPS to renew your license in person.

An expired license will not work for purchasing a gun, however, when you renew it they will cut the corner or the top off of your plastic license and give it back to you, along with a piece of paper that is your temporary license. You should be able to present your old license with your temporary license and you should be fine.
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I think I'll do that waterhouse, thanks. If that doesn't work for some reason, I guess I'll just wait for my new driver's license to come in the mail.

All you need to buy a gun is a valid state driver's license right?
 
In NC here, so YMMV.

If possible, try to renew in advance. I don't see why you couldn't...

Ahh, was gonna post about the "ID Card," but looks like you can't just walk in to get one and walk OUT with it...:( Heck, here in NC we can do that with the license itself.
 
Wow,

Here in Illinois, you go into the Secretary of State's office. Take what ever test (at least vision, sometimes the actual driving test), pay your money, get your picture taken, wait 15-30 mintues and walk out with your (re-)new(ed) licence.

Illinois actually does something better then Texas ???
 

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They do, but he wouldn't have it in time for Wed. Here you go in and fill out the paperwork and take your picture, and then they mail your license to you.

When you renew, you can either go stand in line to get a new picture or you can renew via mail or the internet and they send you a new ID with the old picture they keep on file.
Click to expand...


wow, thank god for being able to get DLs printed on the spot... and computer systems that keep photos on file
 
All you need to buy a gun is a valid state driver's license right?
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Yes, that's the only form of ID you will need.

If you've never bought one at a dealer, they will hand you a large 3 page folded form that is called the 4473. You'll fill out your information on the first page, answer some questions about criminal and drug use and military history with a simple yes or no, and sign and date the form.

If you have never done it before it can seem confusing. Just ask the dealer for help if you don't know what the question is asking for.

After you fill out the form the dealer will check your ID and call in a background check, which usually takes about a minute. The you get to pay for the gun and bring it home.

Here in Illinois, you go into the Secretary of State's office. Take what ever test (at least vision, sometimes the actual driving test), pay your money, get your picture taken, wait 15-30 mintues and walk out with your (re-)new(ed) licence.

Illinois actually does something better then Texas ???
Click to expand...

While being able to get a new license on the spot would have benefits, it is pretty nice to be able to renew from home and just have them mail you a new one. No DMV, no lines, no vision test.
 
While being able to get a new license on the spot would have benefits, it is pretty nice to be able to renew from home and just have them mail you a new one. No DMV, no lines, no vision test.
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Yep, we can do that also. If you've had no accidents or tickets within the last four years, they send you a form, you send it back with a check for $5 or $10 (I disremember) and they send you a sticker to put on the back of your licence that says something like "Good for another four years after the expiration date on the front." I'd go get the exact words, but my DL is out in the car and it's hideously cold here (like -10F) today.
 
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