[les.warden]

Hoping someone on here knows the laws before I start research digging. Here goes…

I’m in Alabama. Relation is (was) in Texas.

Brother in law passed away. Wife said get the guns outta here. She gave me 3 guns and all the ammo that goes with them. (2-.22, 1-XD 9M)
I’m back in Alabama with all the hardware but don’t know if I’m legal. Don’t know if they’re still in his name and if so, how to get them over in my name. A lot I don’t know right now, so looking for help. TIA
-les

 

[les.warden]

Well, I found this, so I guess I’ll touch base with a local FFL and ask ‘now what’.

If you want to make a gift of a firearm to someone outside of your home state, you must take the firearm to an FFL and arrange to have it sent to an FFL in the gift receiver’s home state. Both the gift giver and the gift receiver will want to make sure this transaction happens through the proper channels of an FFL, even though there is no sale occurring. Both parties are guilty of a Federal Felony punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a $5,000 fine if a direct transfer is made without using FFLs.

 

[les.warden]

If your BIL bought those firearms in Texas, they aren't in anybody's name. Does Alabama have a requirement to register firearms. If not, there's your answer.
Legally they should have gone through an FFL, but that ship has sailed.

Alabama does not have a register requirement. Here, they just passed CC with few requirements. Just yesterday, to have a lawful CC card in reciprocal states, I applied for my CC card online, paid $100 for a 5 year permit, and picked up my Alabama CC permit in about 20 minutes. Not complicated.

 

[les.warden]

I appreciate everyone’s feedback so far. I’m still research digging. Ran across another blurb from an attorney’s site, specifically for TX. Screenshot below. Seems the minimum, since the ship sailed, is to have a bill-of-sale. Copies to sister-in-law and myself. Covers her if someone broke into my place, stole one, and used it in a crime. Also, will forgo FFL contact for reasons in prior posts.

 

[les.warden]

Biggest question...are you able to legally own firearms? Had to throw that out there as devils advocate.

Yes. Also obtained my CC card for legality in other states.

Guess I better get to cleaning!

 

[les.warden]

I took forum advice and sent her a Bill of Sale listing the 9mm sold to me for $1. It was the most recently purchased by BIL. The 2-.22 were much older hardware so I’m not worrying about them. I think we’re both covered now.

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts and recommendations.

 

[les.warden]

Wow! Sounds like someone has been brainwashed into paranoia thinking all of our country has gone socialist/communist. I'm not an attorney from either Texas or Alabama, but from what I know, both States are still currently very 2nd Amendment friendly. I do not believe either State requires guns to be registered. As a betting man I'd say you're perfectly legal. Enjoy your new tools; especially that XD-9. I've had the 4" Service Model XD-9 since September 2007 and it's still a bundle of joy to shoot: very reliable, accurate and attractive piece.

I didn’t think they had to be registered but I thought the seller (Dicks, in this case) had to keep sales records for twenty years. If the company folded, the records go to the gov.

I was worried if it was stolen from me and used in a crime, it would somehow get traced back to her. But now, with the BoS, she has the documents showing she no longer has possession of the hardware. I believe we’re good now.

Only been in AL for a year. My other 67 years were in ILLINOIS. LOTS of hoops and paperwork there to own hardware. Considering myself a responsible, law-abiding owner, it’s refreshing down here.