Texas firearm regulations?

I am 18 years old, but I am a little unclear on what some of the regulations are as far as owning handguns and rifles in Texas. I probably won’t end up buying a firearm anytime soon, but I would like to know a little more so I don’t break any laws, such as transporting them incorrectly (people tell me different things, that they have to be unloaded and in plane view, or just simply out of reach but can be loaded, it gets confusing).

So I guess were starting from the ground up. What are the age requirements for owning different types of firearms? How does one go about transporting different types of firearms from the dealer to his home, or even if they are moving? Are background checks involved? Because I know I can pass that no problem. I do know that to apply for a concealed handgun license, i need to be 21.

I know it is probably best to enroll in an actual gun safety course so I’ll most likely end up doing that first. But any information on rules + regulations is greatly appreciated, I don’t really know much except for what my father taught me about handling firearms (you know, the usual precautions and etiquette), but his communications are down overseas so I can’t talk to him right now. If there’s an expert that can explain these topics in depth or provide a website that can answer all my questions, I would be very grateful.

Be sure to read the comments, you will find more information about firearms dealer license

Is it legal in Washington State, for an 18 year-old to own a handgun?

What about get a concealed firearms license?
Or transport it around in a car?
Or even carry it around?

I know it’s not legal for a FFL dealer to sell you a handgun unless you are 21, but I have heard that your dad or grandpa could sell you one, or even a friend could sell you one.

I have passed a firearms safety course also.

I can’t seem to find anything on it in the RCW:

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41

Thanks!!!

Is it possible in the U.S. to ship an unloaded firearm if you aren't a licensed dealer, collector, etc.?

My Grandpa left me two shotguns in Illinois when he died. I was pretty young at the time and now I’m living in Colorado where I just passed my hunter’s safety course and am looking to get a license to hunt duck this fall. From what I’ve been able to find, his brother (who held on to the guns) can’t send them to me unless I’m a licensed dealer. Thus, I’d have to go to Chicago and pick them up in person (a decent drive). If you know of anything different, please let me know.

Why are there so many steps in purchasing a firearm, and so few in puchasing ammunition?

In order to buy a firearm legally in California you must first successfully complete a firearms safety course, go through an extensive background check, find a licensed firearm dealer and wait out what I believe is a two week waiting period for handguns. But anybody over the age of 18 can walk into just about any major sporting goods chains store a purchase ammunition on the spot. It seems to me that if firearms have serial numbers, then bullets and casings should have some identifying markings as well. Imagine if bullets and shell casings had some some identifying serial numbers laser etched into them. To be able to tie a bullet, to at lot number, to a piont of sale, to a bar code, to a drive’s license and maybe to a murder. Something etched on the inside of thr casing and the "tail" end of the bullet itself. True crimminals obtain firearms illegally as a matter of course, but dare I say very few of them load their own amunition. Bullets that could be trace back to the purchaser.