What are the laws regarding possession of a firearm in Texas? Texas has some of the laxest gun laws in the country. However, it is still possible to get busted for illegal possession of a firearm.
- If you are a convicted felon, you are not allowed to possess a firearm within five years of the date of your release from confinement or from community supervision after a conviction
- If you have previously been convicted of a Class A misdemeanor for violence against a family or household member, you cannot possess a firearm legally within five years of the date of release from confinement or from community supervision following a conviction
- If you are the subject of a protective or restraining order, either through criminal or family law proceedings, you are not allowed to possess a firearm while the order remains in place.
If you are accused of unlawful possession of a firearm in Texas, prosecutors must prove that you intentionally or voluntarily were in possession of the weapon for any charges to stick. But, even if you never actually hold the gun in your hand, you can still be charged if evidence supports intent or volition.
Defense against unlawful possession of a firearm may include evidence that proves you did not intentionally or knowingly have a gun in your possession, that you reasonably believed your act was not a violation or the law or even that your possession of the firearm was due to a reasonable belief that you were in imminent danger of serious bodily harm.
If you have been charged with gun crimes in Texas, our law firm is prepared to represent you at trial.
Mike GoolsbyA 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.