So many questions! Please help!

[s.murany]

I am 19, about to be 20. And i want to get a hand gun. However I need a lot of help!!
My boyfriend and I just moved away from our families and we live in a...less waft area, for lack of better words for his schooling.
So first off I can't even buy a hand gun. But if my dad were to buy me one could it be in my position? For safety reasons?
Also I'm thinking I want a .40.. I feel a 9mm won't make me feel safe enough but that a .45 is too much. (I'm 5'6 and 110 lbs... I don't think I could handle a .45!)
And as for the gun, I really like the beretta Storm as well as the Springfield 40S essential subcompact. I have held the beretta but not the springfield.
I understand it's all about what you are comfortable with.. But I would like yall's opinions on all of this, as well as the differences in the guns. Anything would be a tremendous help!

[mpan72]

There is way too much for anyone to explain to you. I suggest you spend some quality time checking out the stickies on this forum. I would then do searches for what ever pops into your head to ask.
As far as what gun to buy and what calbre to get it in, you will need to rent some guns at a local range and decide what is right for you. I would also strongly suggest you take a beginning handgun course.
Your father can buy a gun and gift it to you. Welcome to the forum and good luck in your search.

[Python73]

I feel a 9mm won't make me feel safe enough

[Curmudgeon]

Are there no Texas firearms forums?

[mpan72]

Are there no Texas firearms forums?

Did not notice that when I posted. I don't know Texas laws about parent to child transfers.

[Flash]

Are there no Texas firearms forums?

Well, there is - no wait ! - - - Make that "WAS" on usenet "tx.guns", but that got overrun by whackos posting from "alt.politics.perversion.loonytunes". I lament its demise as much as anybody.

Thank you for coming to the forum that does have a sincere interest in this sort of thing and a lot of resources to help. The stickies are good to start with, but the advice on open threads is simply that - advice. Most of it good, but you still have to sort that out for yourself.

You ought to go to a range that rents guns and see what is in the market before settling on something that just sounds good. Try a number of them, and see just what works for you.

Flash

[mrnyman]

Forget about the Gun! Youre 19 and already shacking up with a man? And your dad knows about it? And you want a gun too? Both you and your Dad deserves a good ass whipping, and where is your mom in all of this?

[donm]

Your father can buy a gun and gift it to you. Welcome to the forum and good luck in your search.

Gun laws vary dramatically and illogically from state to state. Unlike Pennsylvania (but like most other states), Texas allows private transfers of handguns without an FFL. I don't pretend to know Texas law and there may be other caveats, but you can probably buy a handgun from a private party provided you are both Texas residents. Federal law comes into play if you buy from a dealer or across state lines, and would prevent a handgun transfer if you are under 21.

[son of the revolution]

Forget about the Gun! Youre 19 and already shacking up with a man? And your dad knows about it? And you want a gun too? Both you and your Dad deserves a good ass whipping, and where is your mom in all of this?

WTF ???? My wife and I started living together when she was 18 and I was 23. So what ???

[son of the revolution]

Gun laws vary dramatically and illogically from state to state. Unlike Pennsylvania (but like most other states), Texas allows private transfers of handguns without an FFL. I don't pretend to know Texas law and there may be other caveats, but you can probably buy a handgun from a private party provided you are both Texas residents. Federal law comes into play if you buy from a dealer or across state lines, and would prevent a handgun transfer if you are under 21.

As does Florida