Inherited Colt...Need some answers

Hello All, this is my first post!

I have a question for you in regards to the legality of my situation and what I should do. Let me start off by saying this: I've been hunting/shooting since I was 8, know all the safety rules/concerns, know how to properly handle and operate a firearm and am very mature for my age (20).

So, it just dawned on me to ask this, but a few years ago my ex-police officer grandfather passed away and left me his Colt Detective Spec .38 (Its the second generation 1947-1972). The gun was in Maryland so my family and I drove it back to Texas with us after his funeral. We moved it with zero ammunition, in a case, safely stored away. My father who has only bought guns new or had them handed down doesnt quite know our legal situation either.

Since I'm going to be getting my CHL with this gun, is it legal for me to own/carry/shoot it? I don't have papers on it partially because we couldn't find any, but also because the thing is at least 40 years old! What do I need to do for it to be legal, assuming it might not be? Re-register it? How?

Thank You for your help!
Mike

There are only a handful of States that require handgun registration and Texas isn't one of them.

So i'm in the clear as far as being legal? Should I re-register anyway or is there place I should go to finalize anything?

I dont want any speedbumps or confiscation of my gun

Thanks!

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Originally Posted by Grey2.0Si

Should I re-register anyway or is there place I should go to finalize anything?

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Register with who??

The gun was left to you as an inheritance. You parents took possession for you since you were under age. Now that you are old enough they can give you the gun, no paper work required.

If you are really uncomfortable with this I would suggest you talk to a lawyer who is familiar with Texas gun laws.

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Originally Posted by Grey2.0Si

...[A] few years ago my ex-police officer grandfather passed away and left me his Colt Detective Spec .38 (Its the second generation 1947-1972)...

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How was it left to you? That's the important question.
Was it a written bequest, for instance in his will? Was it a verbal bequest, and, if it was, was it witnessed by anybody? Or did your grandmother hand it to you, saying, "Here. He would've wanted you to have this."?
The real issue is one of title. Can you prove that you own this pistol by legal means? Why? If you can't, and it's found on you or in your (constructive) possession, for instance in your home, it could be construed someday as being in your possession by some yet-to-be-conceived illegal means.

If it was left in a will, keep a copy of the relevant page and the title page of that will. If it was a verbal bequest ("Here, kid, this is for you."), write down the details and have the story signed and attested-to by witnesses. If your grandmother handed it to you, ask her to write the story of the transfer down on paper and sign it, and if there were witnesses, have them sign it too.

If Texas has no registration requirement, you are then in the clear because the federal requirement was met when you received the gun by bequest.
But document the transfer. It'll be important that you did, sometime later.

Sir,
There is no registration requirement in Texas, unless passed through a dealer.
Document how you came into possesion of the revolver.
Photos with serial number and markings on the frame.
Multiple copies and one inside your banks box.
Oh, by the way, if you train for CCL with a revolver in Texas, you will be limited to a revolver for carry.
Many ranges that have CCL classes will rent a semi-auto so you not be so limited.
Enjoy Your inheritance, Paul