How to Buy a Gun at the 2015 Texas Firearms Festival

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The 2015 Texas Firearms Festival on November 14 and 15 at Best of the West Shooting Sports in Liberty Hill is, legally speaking, a gun show. Just like last year, gun makers will be selling firearms to the general public. So you can come and shoot it, stay and buy it, then take it home and love it. Last year, exhibitors sold over $60k worth of guns. This year, with your addiction help, we hope to double that number. There are a couple of ways the deal can go down . . .

You can buy firearms straight from a demonstration bay. Bang! Bang! Bang! Love it! Want it! How much? Buying a gun from a Texas Firearms Festival demonstration bay is the same as buying a gun at your local gun store – except you’ll be wearing ear protection. You agree on a price – show specials abound! – then fill out an ATF Form 4473. Present your license and Texas CHL (if you have one). The gunmaker or his tag-along local dealer will make a copy of your ID, perform a NICS check, take your money (credit cards preferred) and proudly present your new pride and joy. I said, IT’S ALL YOURS!

Some gun makers will be selling their firearms through Sportsman’s Finest, our 2015 Texas Firearms Festival’s official gun dealer. This year, the Sportsman’s Finest gun store tent will be in the middle of the main range area, atop The Range at Austin Retail Village. Reps from several major manufacturers (e.g., SIG SAUER) will be on hand to answer your product and price questions. Once you’ve made your choice, the rep’ll hand you over to a Sportsman’s Finest salesperson to check your Form 4473 and ID, process payment and give you the goods. And away you go! Unless . . .

You’re not a Texan. If you’re an out-of-state gun buyer, you can purchase a handgun (or four) at the 2015 Texas Firearms Festival – but you can’t take it with you. The seller will do the paperwork and ship your gun(s) to your local FFL (gun dealer), who will perform the required background check and charge you a transfer fee. It’s best to find out your dealer’s transfer fee (to avoid unpleasant surprise) and secure a copy of their FFL certificate. A paper copy’s good. Or your local dealer can email the FFL to you or cameraphone it, so you can zap it to the Texas Firearms Festival gun seller.

As for long gun purchases, out-of-state buyers can buy and go – provided the rifle or shotgun is legal in your state of residence. If you’re unfortunate enough to live in a state that bans modern sporting rifles, The Empire (Strikes Back) State for example, you’re SOL. One more thing. Although the Festival is Open Carry, use extreme caution if you decide to show off your new gun. All guns are always loaded. Any ticket holder who fails to exercise proper muzzle discipline is subject to immediate ejection from The Best of the West.

Last year, some 90 percent of surveyed visitors said the Texas Firearms Festival influenced their future choice of firearms. The future is almost here! Bring your credit-worthy plastic to the Texas Firearms Festival and go home with a new firearms friend. But first, if you haven’t already, click here and buy your tickets to the 2015 Texas Firearms Festival – before the price rises and the tickets sell out. Oh, and don’t forget to tell your significant other that the show pricing discount a new firearms could well pay for your ticket. How great is that?