What Are Texas’s Different Gun Control Policies?

Each state in America has its own set of gun control laws and restrictions, and each state resident should be aware of these laws, especially if they are gun owners or are interested in owning a gun in the future. Texas gun control laws are some of the most lenient and permissive laws in America. However, the state still has specific codes and regulations on what could happen if you’re caught unlawfully carrying a weapon. Here’s some more information on Texas gun control laws, and how you can avoid being charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon as a Texas resident.

What Are the Laws?

Under the Texas Penal Code for Weapons, there’s a section that refers to the “Unlawful Carrying of Weapons.” In summary, a person will be charged if they “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly” carry a handgun, knife, or club if they are not on their own premises or inside a vehicle that is owned by them. They may also be charged if, in those situations, the handgun is in plain view, or if the person is engaging in criminal activity, if they are already prohibited from owning a firearm by law, or they are a member of a criminal gang. Additionally, Texas does not have a waiting period on gun purchasing, and as long as you have a permit, you can carry a concealed firearm in many public places.

How Can I Avoid Being Charged?

As a Texas resident, knowing the above information will help keep you prepared if you’re caught in a compromising situation. Follow your local, state and federal gun laws, and be extremely cautious of how you take care of your firearms and where you store them. Keep all of your personal weapons safely secured and unloaded when they are not in use, never use a gun or other type of weapon under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and get the proper safety training and experience you need. Lastly, be aware of public places outside of your home with higher levels of security, such as banks, offices, shopping malls, and schools and universities.

If you or someone you know has been charged with unlawful carrying of a weapon in Texas, don’t hesitate to contact the criminal defense lawyers at Goolsby Law Firm to further discuss your case.

Mike Goolsby

A veteran in both civil court cases and criminal defense, Mike Goolsby is a respected lawyer with more than 16 years of experience practicing law. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of North Texas in 1990, followed by his J.D. from the prestigious Thomas M. Cooley Law School in 1994. After earning his law degree, Mr. Goolsby worked as an Assistant District Attorney for the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office. As a trial lawyer, he was able to gain exceptional access to the criminal court system in this major metropolitan area, giving him immeasurable, distinct experience that helped him build a solid foundation for his own private legal practice. Mr. Goolsby went on to practice civil law for Maverick Acceptance Group, a venture capital company. Here, he gained invaluable knowledge of the civil side of the law, adding to his already diverse portfolio of legal expertise. In 1999, he opened the doors of The Goolsby Law Firm and has been successfully serving the residents of North Texas ever since. As an attorney, Mr. Goolsby combines his experience in both the civil and criminal fields to offer unmatched legal representation to his clients. With a long list of satisfied clients, Mr. Goolsby continues to build his practice through fair and aggressive legal defense.