Today’s world presents us with a lot of uncertainties, crime being one of them. Crime and violence is prevalent in almost every state in the United States. That is why many feel the need to protect themselves, their family and those around them. It is the right as a citizen of the United States to keep and bear arms for self-defense as stipulated in the Second Amendment of the Bill of Rights.

In Texas, a rifle with a barrel length of less than 16 inches and a shotgun with a barrel length of less than 18 inches are both considered weapons. This is in accordance with the Texas criminal code and federal law. To purchase a firearm here, you need to be at least 18 years of age and be a resident of Texas. No permit is necessary.

More than 1.2 million residents in Texas are active holders of disguised handguns with no laws accounting for the long guns except for the existing federal restrictions. Texas gun laws regulate the sale, possession and use of firearms in Texas. It focuses mainly on the carrying of guns rather than restricting its ownership.

License to carry Firearms

In 2015, the Texas Legislature passed a bill to allow concealed handgun permit holders to openly carry handguns. Since the bill took effect January 1st 2016, a license is still required to carry a handgun around. However, the firearm shouldn’t be displayed in a manner that can cause alarm.

License application is done online. Your fingerprints are required, followed by a training of 6 to 4 hours. You are therefore granted a permit to carry your handgun having met the basic requirements. In certain places such as schools, courtrooms, secure airport areas and polling places, guns are still banned.

You may be permanently or temporarily banned from carrying a firearm in Texas due to some of the following reasons:

• Felony convictions.

• Pending criminal charges.

• Permanent cases in domestic violence.

• Substance dependency such as use of alcohol or chemicals.

• Certain physiological diagnosis.

• Restraining orders.

• Defaults on child support, taxes, student loans or other governmental fees.

Restrictions on licensed carry.

There exist State and Federal laws in Texas that still restrict a permit holder from carrying a weapon in certain situations and certain places. These include:

• Airports – Allowed only within secured areas of an airport.

• Racetracks – It is a felony to carry a firearm on a racetrack.

• Election polling places – You are not allowed to possess a firearm in the premises to be used as a polling center whether the polls are open or not at the time.

• Court offices – Whether you are licensed or not, a firearm is not allowed inside a building used by a functioning municipal, state or federal court for official business. Employees such as judges and attorneys are the only exceptions.

• Correctional facilities – It is a crime to carry a firearm inside a building that is a jail or prison facility.

• Public sporting events – It is an atrocity to carry a firearm while inside a building currently being used for a professional sporting event unless the person carrying is a participant of the event and the event requires the use of a firearm.

• Hospital and amusement parks – You must have 30.06 and 30.07 signs posted.

Illegal weapons in Texas.

These are some of the weapons considered illegal in Texas:

1. Brass knuckles

2. Zip guns

3. Armor piercing ammunition

4. Bombs

5. Grenades

6. Rockets

7. Mines

8. Machine guns

9. Knives with a blade over five and a half inches

10. Rifles with barrel lengths of less than 16 inches

11. Shotguns with barrel lengths of less than 18 inches

12. Tire deflation devices like a spike strip or a caltrop

13. Hoax bombs

14. Any altered shotgun or rifle with an overall length of less than 26 inches

There are also certain kinds of weapons which are legal to possess and carry on their own property but not out in public. This includes the carrying of handguns, knives and clubs.

Illegal knives include : Daggers, throwing knives, swords, spears and any regular knife with a blade of more than 5.5 inches. While illegal clubs include : Blackjacks, nightsticks, mace and tomahawks.

Most of the offenses found from the illegal carrying of handguns, knives and clubs are treated as Class A Misdemeanors.

Texas Gun Laws

These are the 9 new gun laws that became effective as of September 1, 2019:

1. HB 121 – Provides legal defense for a License To Carry (LTC) holder who unknowingly enters an area that has a signage prohibiting guns and if the holder leaves the establishment quickly after being asked.

2. HB 302 – Forbids residential rental agreements from restricting the possession of weapons by residents or their guests.

3. HB 1143 – Prevents school districts from controlling the manner in which a licensed firearm is stored in a vehicle in a school parking area.

4. HB 1177 – Gives disaster shelters an option of accommodating evacuees with firearms. It also prohibits a resident from being arrested or charged for carrying a firearm without LTC from a local disaster area or while returning it there.

5. HB 1387 – Provides an opening for more armed school marshals that a school district or governing body may appoint.

6. HB 1797 – Provides an update on the language in the Texas Government Code that is related to the carrying of firearms on property owned or leased by a state body.

7. HB 2363 – Provides an update on how firearms need to be stored in a foster home by the caretakers.

8. SB 535 – Elucidates that places of worship need to be treated equally as a private property when deciding on whether a license holder may carry on the premises or not.

9. SB 741 – Prevents restrictions on lawful discharge of a firearm. It also prohibits property owners from preventing or restricting the storage and transportation of a firearm
   

Other relevant laws

• The Texas ‘‘Castle Doctrine’’ law gives you the right to use deadly force for self defense while at your home.

• The ‘‘Stand Your Ground rule’’ as stipulated in the Castle Doctrine. An individual is entitled to public spaces if they are there rightfully and are not committing any crime.

• A Texas resident free from felony, any charges or prevented by law is allowed to purchase firearms and ammunitions in the neighbouring states.