Texas Gun Trust

Texas NFA Trust Information and FAQs

Texas NFA Trust Benefits

Texas NFA Trusts Videos and Web Resources Page

How to Transfer Complete a Form 4 transfer

Texas NFA Trusts Table of Contents Page

NFA Laws by State

Buying a silencer

Texas Firearms Law and Links

Feedback & Contact Page

 

Texas Firearms Laws and Regulations

Texas places few restrictions on the possession and sale of firearms within this state.  : 

  • The Child Access Prevention Law – This law requires adults to use a loaded-chamber indicator and magazine safety disconnects to prevent accidental shootings. It also requires owners to store guns in a place not readily available to minors under 18. If a child obtains an improperly stored gun the adult owner is criminally liable.
  • Juvenile Sale/Transfer Law – This law bars or restricts the sale or transfer of specified guns to youth. In Texas you have to be 18 to buy any firearm.

Does Texas Have a Juvenile Possession Law?
No, they don’t.

Does Texas Require Background Checks?
No, the only background check that is done is a federal “instant check”. There is no state-based criminal background check. Texas doesn’t have a waiting period to buy a gun and so no “cooling off period” to prevent crimes of passion.
 
Is it Illegal to Carry a Concealed Weapon?
It is legal to carry a concealed handgun if you have applied for and have been issued a concealed handgun license. You have to be 21 to get such a permit.

Is it Illegal to Carry a handgun in your car?
No.  It is legal

Sec. 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal knife, or club if the person is not:
(1) on the person's own premises or premises under the person's control; or
(2) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person's control.
(a-1) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun in a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person's control at any time in which:
(1) the handgun is in plain view; or
(2) the person is:
(A) engaged in criminal activity, other than a Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance regulating traffic;
(B) prohibited by law from possessing a firearm; or
(C) a member of a criminal street gang, as defined by Section 71.01.
(a-2) For purposes of this section, "premises" includes real property and a recreational vehicle that is being used as living quarters, regardless of whether that use is temporary or permanent. In this subsection, "recreational vehicle" means a motor vehicle primarily designed as temporary living quarters or a vehicle that contains temporary living quarters and is designed to be towed by a motor vehicle. The term includes a travel trailer, camping trailer, truck camper, motor home, and horse trailer with living quarters.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an offense under this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree if the offense is committed on any premises licensed or issued a permit by this state for the sale of alcoholic beverages.
 

 

Is it legal to own and possess Items regulated by the National firearms Act?
It is legal as long as they are registered on the National Firearms Act registry.

Does Texas Require a License to Possess Firearms?
No, there is no requirement of a license to purchase or own a firearm.

Does Texas Have a Ban on Assault Weapons?
No, there is no ban of these weapons in Texas. The Federal "Assault Weapons Ban" expired in September of 2004. 

 

 

Send mail to SeanCody@HoustonAttorney.org with questions or comments about this web site.
Last modified: 06/13/11

Copyright, 2010, 2011 all rights reserved

 

Join us on Facebook at

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/texastrustlawyer