Okay, so the legal age to buy a handgun in Texas is 21, but...?

You can own (not purchase from a dealer, must be 21 to do that--fed law) a handgun in Texas at the age of 18, but it can never leave your house/property. Texas law generally requires a concealed weapons permit for public carry and you must be 21 to get one of those. So can your dad or brother sell you a handgun (if you're 18)...yes, but it will have to stay on private property until you are 21 and have a ccw permit.

The legal age to buy/aquire any firearm in Texas is 18. The 21 year old restriction only applies to the purchase from a Federal Firearms License holder in Texas due to Federal law. If they are under 21 they cannot carry it since you can only carry concealed in Texas, and a permit is required to do so.

You have to be 21 to buy a handgun from a dealer but the legal age from a private seller is 18. You have to be 18 to buy a rifle or shotgun from a dealer or privately. "eliminate potential intruder"? Are you saying if someone looks like they might try to break in then he's planning on killing them before they do it? I would say that's premeditated murder. Self defense is entirely different and should be taken seriously. If he's not a gun person then he should consider some gun training prior to buying any firearm. He might decide he doesn't like guns period and will opt for some pepper spray and a rape whistle. I would suggest a 20 gauge with birdshot for such a small area, a Maverick 88 would be a low cost option. 9mm, .380, and .38 special would make good calibers.

Age To Buy Handgun

In Texas you must be 21 to be able to carry.

21 is the age to carry nation-wide...federal law.

This presumes that you qualify to carry, and live where concealed carry is permitted.

you still have to be 21 to carry and have gone thru concealed carry classes.

----retired texas deputy sheriff----