TEXAS
	
	Your State Firearms Laws

	Compiled by NRA Institute for Legislative Action


(As of July 1989)

PLEASE NOTE: In addition to state laws, the purchase, sale, and 
(in certain circumstances) the possession & interstate transpor-
tation of firearms is regulated by the Gun Control Act of 1968, 
as amended by the Firearms Owners Protection Act. Also, cities
and localities may have their own firearms ordinances in addition
to federal & state laws. Details may be obtained by contacting 
local law enforcement authorities, or by consulting the State Laws 
and Published Ordinances - Firearms, available from the U.S. Govern-
ment Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402.

	Quick Reference Chart

					Rifles & Shotguns	Handguns
Permit to Purchase			NO			NO
Registration of Firearm			NO			NO
License of Ownership			NO			NO
Permit to Carry				NO			NO*
	*Carrying is restricted; no permit provided (yet. -Editor.)

State Constitutional Provision on Firearms

	"Every citizen shall have the right to keep & bear arms in 
the lawful defense of himself or the State; but the Legislature 
shall have power, by law, to regulate the wearing of arms, with 
a view to prevent crime." Article I, Section 23.

Possession

	No state license is required to possess a rifle, shotgun 
or handgun.
	
	A person who has been convicted of a felony involving an 
act of violence may legally posses a firearm only on his own 
premises.
	
	It is unlawful to posses, manufacture, transport, repair 
or sell a rifle with a barrel less than 16 inches & overall length 
less than 26 inches or a shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches 
& overall length less than 26 inches. Federal registration of the 
firearm by the possessor is a defense to prosecution under this section.

Purchase

	It is unlawful for any person to sell, rent, loan or give a 
handgun to any person if the seller knows that the buyer intends 
to use it unlawfully. It is unlawful to knowingly sell, rent, give 
or offer to sell, rent or give any firearm to a person under 18 years 
of age, without the written consent of his parent or guardian.
	
	It is unlawful to knowingly or recklessly sell any firearm or 
ammunition to any person who is intoxicated.

Carry

	It is unlawful to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly carry 
a handgun on or about one's person, openly OR concealed. Exceptions
to the above provision are:

        1. On one's own premises under his control.
	2. While engaged in lawful hunting, fishing or other sporting 		   
	   activity including target shooting.
        3. While traveling in one's personal auto on a bona fide trip
	   across one or more county lines.
	4. Traveling to & from a range, place of repair or other site where 		   
	   the type of firearm is normally used, provided the route is direct &  
           without unreasonable delay.
	5. Peace officers other than a person commissioned by the Texas State
	   Board of Pharmacy.


	Texas has no permit to carry a handgun (again, yet. -Editor). 
To carry a handgun legally, a person must fall into one of the above exceptions.
	
	It is unlawful to carry any firearm onto the premises of any school 
or educational institution without written authorization, or onto the 
premises of a polling place on an election day, or into a court or 
offices utilized by a court.

Antiques and Replicas

	Antique or curio weapons manufactured before 1898 are not 
considered firearms and are exempt from regulation.

Machine Guns

	It is unlawful to possess, manufacture, transport, repair or sell a 
machine gun. Federal registration of the machine gun by the possessor is 
a defense to prosecution under this section.

Miscellaneous

	It is a misdemeanor to carry a handgun except with the exceptions 
listed above in Carry, but it is a felony to carry a handgun onto
any premises licensed to sell or serve alcoholic beverages.
	
	Texas has enacted a law enabling its residents to purchase rifles 
or shotguns from licensed dealers in contiguous states, provided the 
purchase complies with the laws of Texas and of the state of purchase 
and with all federal regulations.

	a. A person who commits a trespass while carrying a deadly 
          weapon will have his conviction upgraded to a class A 
          misdemeanor.

	b. It is unlawful to display a firearm in a public place in a 
          manner calculated to alarm.

	c. It is unlawful to discharge a firearm in a public place or 
          on or across a public road.

	d. It is unlawful to possess, manufacture, transport, repair or
          sell "handgun ammunition that is designed primarily for the 
          purpose of penetrating metal or body armor and to be used 
          principally in pistols and revolvers."

	e. A city or town may not adopt regulations relating to the 
          transfer, private ownership, keeping, transportation, license, 
          or registration of firearms, ammunition, or firearms supplies.


CAUTION: State firearms laws are subject to frequent change. The 
above summary is not to be considered as legal advice or a restatement 
of law. To determine the applicability of these laws to specific 
situations which you may encounter, you are strongly urged to consult 
a local attorney.


Compiled by:
NRA Institute for Legislative Action
1600 Rhode Island Avenue, NW
Washington, D.C. 20036

(c) 1989 NRA Institute for Legislative Action

Permission to reprint granted with appropriate credit to NRA Institute.


Brought to you by:

	The Hill Country Practical Pistol Club
	c/o Marc McCord
	11513 Fast Horse Drive
	Austin, TX  78759
	(512) 383-1160 

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