Question on Giving Handgun gift to Girlfriend in MISSOURI

[mechanicworkman]

I want to know if i can LEAGALLY go to gunshop buy a handgun for me but that i may later a gift for my girlfriend for her birthday? I already know she is abe to go buy one on her own but hoping to buy one for her birthday comming up and surprize her without taking her to the gunshop! Now I already intend on later getting it transfered into her name! So I will have to make another trip down there at a later time. Is this leagal? She is a resident of the same state i live in ? Old enough to buy it! No prior trouble! I am wondering federally and state wise! I have been searching all over and seem to be getting a mixed answer I wanna know what the general consensus is ! I keep reading all other things on this "straw" law and am still a little mixed up!

 

[Carne Frio]

Given those facts, it is most likely legal, but
you should check out your state laws. Here
is one place to start:

http://www.handgunlaw.us/

By the way, welcome to this fine forum !

 

[NavyLCDR]

It's perfectly legal in Missouri. Just give her the gun. There is no gun registration in Missouri, therefore the gun is never "in your name" and there is not need to "transfer" the gun "into her name". If you want to document the gift, just have her sign a receipt that you type up, "I, name of girlfriend, did receive on this date, insert date, one (1) insert make/model/serial number from your name" and she signs it and your done.

 

[Tommygunn]

A "strawman" purchase is when a legally qualified person buys a gun for an ex con, or other individual who is not legally entitled to own firearms.
Buying a gun for a gift is OK.
As earlier poster said -- check your state's laws.

 

[N.Schafer]

Just make sure it is one she wants and fits her; not just one you want to get her. Or else it'll sit getting dusty in the back of the safe.

 

[GRIZ22]

Just make sure it is one she wants and fits her; not just one you want to get her. Or else it'll sit getting dusty in the back of the safe.

Outside of the legal considerastions this is probably the most important advice.

 

[6.5x55swedish]

My wife says that if I ever think that buying her a gun is a good gift idea for any reason....she will shoot me with it... Just FYI make sure it is something she will want, otherwise stick with the Jewelry.

 

[chris in va]

Get her a gift certificate for the gun store instead. You'll thank us later.

 

[c919]

It should be perfectly legal (I don't live in MO so I don't want to say IS).

In most places, as long as it is a gift, it's legal. If you purchased it with her money, it would be very illegal. Also, if you "front someone" the money for a gun and buy it in your name then immediately sell it to them, you could find yourself in some trouble.

Just make sure she will be happy to get the gun. Many women would be like "Oh yay, you bought me a gun but it's really for you." and the you look like an @$$.

 

[mechanicworkman]

I understand that there is not formal registration of guns in missouri but i have always thought that when i do buy a gun that the paperwork is linked to me that I origonally bout the gun. So the paperwork that I fill out when i buy the gun is wha jsut to run my background! I said earlier that i would want to transfer the gun into her name as well all know sometimes couples seperate years down the road. If something did happen say 5 or 10 years down the roat and i were not there i would not wanna be answering to any questions as to a gun i gave away years before. I mean i am alway very careful to to everything i can do to stay well within the law as i prefer to stay even away from any grey areas.

 

[mechanicworkman]

Well i am not entirely sure what kind of gun i will get her as she only has rifles now! but she has had a growing intrest in some kind of a handgun! I have a CCW and 2 two primary pistols i do carry r either a 1911 SA 3" now i have found that over time i do carry this i have to pretty much carry it locked and cocked the other one which i carry more of the time is S&W 38 special which is far lighter but dosnt quite have the punch of a .45 so here is what i have leaning toward somethign like a .357 where she can shoot either 38's or .357 outa it. I am leaning toward a J frame i guess! So as u indicated you wife didnt sound real happy about the whole gun present thing or what? What is the women's perspective outlook on here? Is there anything that you guy recommend? My girlfriend is much smaller than me I am average build! she is small though! not real small but i dont know how much she would enjoy a .45 let along the fact that if she had 45 the sheer bulk of it may drive her to carry it less overtime which is kinda defeating the purpose!What is your Ideas?

 

[scottaschultz]

I have been married to my girlfriend for many years and I am 100% on board with those who say that she must be the one to pick out the gun. I prefer revolvers but my wife likes semi-autos. Go figure! Besides this, not only does the gun have to feel right in her hand, but as silly as this sounds (and how sexist it might appear), but it also has to look right!

After all these years, I pretty much know my wife's taste in jewelry (and you had better get on board with this my son if you expect this relationship to go anywhere!), but I always save the receipt just in case. Unfortunately, it doesn't work this way with guns. Once the money crosses the counter, you own it so you better make sure.

I don't know where you are in MO, but if you are anywhere close to the St. Louis area, my advice would be to go someplace like Top Gun in Arnold (http://www.topgunss.com/) where you can rent guns.

Scott

 

[Sunray]

The handgun you're buying for you, that you might give your lady, later, going to fit her hand? It has to fit her hand, not your's. Do yourself a favour and take her shopping and let her pick the handgun she likes. Makes the whole 'straw' issue go away and you'll still get the, um, resulting benefits.

 

[mechanicworkman]

Ok so if i do take her down to the range and she picks out the gun she wants after shooting a few differnt types and frames your sayin i should not have any problem paying for it right there!

 

[9MMare]

Gift certificate for a handgun? That way she tries and she picks.

 

[scottaschultz]

You are catching on to this whole relationship thing grasshopper! No matter how hard you try, you will never get it right 100% of the time, but this is a good start!

And just to clear up any issues with the ownership issue, she can fill out the 4473 so everything is in her name. After she is approved, you can still get out your wallet and pay for it.

Scott