rifle ownership transfer

Question
I would like to transfer ownership of a deer rifle as a Xmas present to my 25 year old son who is in the Army and stationed in Kansas. I live in Texas. He plans to store it on base in their  specified firearms safe (not sure how they officially call it). What form do I need for this transfer of ownership?

Answer
It should require no transfer. You ought simply to be able to give it to him per the transfer laws of Texas (in which I do not live, and of which laws I am not an expert, but my understanding is that private transfer of firearms has not been prohibited their as it has been in some states).

If you want to SHIP the rifle, that is a different issue. That will require an Federal Firarms License, and the easiest way to do it would be effect a transfer, which would work like this:

1) You would take the rifle to an FFL holder (any gunshop) and have it sent to him c/o of another gunshop (they'll work out the details of making sure each of the shops have the proper license). They will charge you anywhere from $35-50 for the use of their FFL, plus whatever overnight shipping is.

2) The other shop will receive the rifle for your son, who will come in and go through his background check, etc. in order to obtain it. They will charge him from $35-50 for the use of their FFL.

In my opinion, it would be easier just to hold the rifle until he could get back to TX and bring it back himself. That's what I would do. There would be no FFL transfer, no fee, and you'd get to see your son.

Good luck with it, and Merry Christmas to you. Convey my thanks to your son for serving our country.