Anyone familiar with firearm laws here in Texas?

J

jeepintexas

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Texas
Hey guys, can anyone link me to a good website, or explain to me the current Texas Handgun/Long Gun laws?

I just purchased a .40 yesterday (legally). I want to carry this in my vehicle for personal protection. I do intend to get my CCL pretty soon, but I would like to have it in my vehicle for the meantime.

Is it legal to carry a loaded weapon in your vehicle? Is so, does it have to be hidden under a seat or something?

If it isn't legal to carry a weapon loaded, can I carry my loaded magazines in the glove box or center console? Does the glove box or console have to be locked? Does my handgun have to be hidden? Or can I have it in plain view?

I would really like to get some feedback from LEO's or someone who is familiar with the Peace Officer aspect.

My main concern is that I don't want to get hit with a felony, just because I was ill-informed. I also don't want to go to jail, for doing something wrong, that could have been prevented.
 
It is legal to carry a loaded gun in your car as long as it is hidden from plain sight. Here ia link to all Texas statutes

http://www.statutes.legis.state.tx.us/Index.aspx

Here is the information you are looking for.

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.
Click to expand...

As long as you are NOT doing any of the things I bolded you are good to go.
 
Texas has gun laws?
 
Actually Texas gun laws are more restrictive than you would think. You can't open carry here.

Of course, all the product in your avatar couldn't clean your state up.
 
DeftwillP said:
Of course, all the product in your avatar couldn't clean your state up.
Click to expand...


one word......you guessed it....obama....er was it osama? wth are these guys irish? spose i should be O'Flores
 
just got my ccl, and u dont have to have one to carry in ur home,car,boat,motorhome...ect... called the castle law,passed in 07.u have the right to defend ur castle(home)and as long as its where no one can see it. and u have to tell the cop if u get pulled over. a buddy of mine got pulled over and the cop was a newbie and took his gun away... b4 he got home the cops supervisor called him and wanted to bring him his gun back, something to do with civilrights being violated...lol they were afraid of a lawsuit i guess....
 
I will definitely suggest that you look up your state's law specifically. But here in Texas, you don't need a permit to own a gun. That's for dumbass blue states.
 
rms692 said:
just got my ccl, and u dont have to have one to carry in ur home,car,boat,motorhome...ect... called the castle law,passed in 07.u have the right to defend ur castle(home)and as long as its where no one can see it. and u have to tell the cop if u get pulled over. a buddy of mine got pulled over and the cop was a newbie and took his gun away... b4 he got home the cops supervisor called him and wanted to bring him his gun back, something to do with civilrights being violated...lol they were afraid of a lawsuit i guess....
Click to expand...

While mostly right you do NOT have to tell the police if you have a gun in your car if you do not have a CHL. The law provides no legal requirement to inform you are armed.


Also, we dont have CCL's in Texas. They are CHL's, it is called that for a reason. You are allowed to carry a concealed handgun only, the CHL does not give you the right to carry anything else (illegal knife, club, ect.)

Lastly, there is not such law called the castle law ... The law you refer to is the one I already posted PC 46.02, commonly referred to as the travel law.

Please do not spread false information about what it is called or any other information about firearm laws. When you do this it not only makes the person that took what you said to hear look like an idiot, it also may land them in jail .



Edit: Further information ... The law you refer to as the castle law was not passed in 07, we have had a travel law for a while it was just clarified in 07. Previous to 2007 the law was a bit vague and every officer had there own interpretation of the law. The purpose behind the passage of the 2007 House bill 1815 was to make sure that a set of standards was used by LEO's state wide rather than a different set of standards in every department.
 
Last edited:
killerfly128 said:
While mostly right you do NOT have to tell the police if you have a gun in your car if you do not have a CHL. The law provides no legal requirement to inform you are armed.


Also, we dont have CCL's in Texas. They are CHL's, it is called that for a reason. You are allowed to carry a concealed handgun only, the CHL does not give you the right to carry anything else (illegal knife, club, ect.)

Lastly, there is not such law called the castle law ... The law you refer to is the one I already posted PC 46.02, commonly referred to as the travel law.

Please do not spread false information about what it is called or any other information about firearm laws. When you do this it not only makes the person that took what you said to hear look like an idiot, it also may land them in jail .



Edit: Further information ... The law you refer to as the castle law was not passed in 07, we have had a travel law for a while it was just clarified in 07. Previous to 2007 the law was a bit vague and every officer had there own interpretation of the law. The purpose behind the passage of the 2007 House bill 1815 was to make sure that a set of standards was used by LEO's state wide rather than a different set of standards in every department.
Click to expand...


Um you sure about that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_doctrine
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...thwest/stories/032807dntexcastle.241e482.html
 
DeftwillP said:
Um you sure about that?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_doctrine
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcon...thwest/stories/032807dntexcastle.241e482.html
Click to expand...

I sure am.

The "castle doctrine" also had a provision to remove the duty to retreat clause in one of the laws. I do not recall what laws it modified but there is no "castle doctrine" in Texas state law.

Since when is Wiki a credible source? The Dallas Morning News? Really? The same people that call everything an assault weapon, they wouldn't know the truth from a hole in there ass.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

FaultyLine
Good XJ Driver Seat recommendation?
Replies
13
Views
438
GSequoia
GSequoia
Ogri
94 XJ England New Member Pleased To Be Here
2
Replies
26
Views
618
Ogri
Ogri
M
No Bus issues will start and run
Replies
4
Views
414
Mdob2000xj
M
C
Coolant Link In Plastic Box
Replies
1
Views
218
Tim_MN
Tim_MN
T
89 XJ 4.0 in a 92 YJ
Replies
0
Views
552
TOG
T
Back
Top