CHARGED WITH A WEAPONS OFFENSE? WHAT NOW?
Possessing a weapon, carrying a weapon, improperly discharging a firearm, or using a firearm in the commission of a crime are all serious offenses in Texas. The Texas Penal Code lays out the types of weapons you can and cannot have and circumstances under which you are allowed to use them. If you are charged with violating these laws you could be facing felony charges and severe penalties. Not only can you be charged for having or using an illegal weapon, but you can be arrested for weapons in Texas if you give or sell a weapon to someone else, or if a child gets to the weapon.
Very often, people are arrested for illegal weapons in Texas when they are confronted by the police for different reasons. It is not uncommon for someone to get stopped for a traffic violation and the police notice a weapon in the vehicle. You can be charged with possessing a weapon in Texas if you are being arrested for a different offense and the police pat you down and find a weapon or if the police get a tip that you have a weapon.
WEAPONS OFFENSE
Texas criminal laws prohibit the possession of the following except in certain cases of antiques, curios, or other items licensed by the federal government:
- Explosive weapons such as grenades, bombs and rocket
- Machine guns
- Rifles with barrels less than 16 inches long
- Shotguns with barrels less than 18 inches long
- Any rifle or shotgun altered so that the entire weapon is less than 26 inches long
- Brass knuckles
- Improvised handguns, also known as “zip guns”
Under Texas criminal laws the term weapon does not necessarily mean a gun. It is also illegal to possess or carry things such as clubs, certain knives, chemical sprays and various other items. Possessing brass knuckles can be a Class A misdemeanor while possessing any of the others can be a third-degree felony. Both are punishable by jail time and fines.
If you are a convicted felon or have been convicted of domestic assault, it is illegal for you to have any kind of firearm. If you give or sell a firearm to someone who is not allowed to have one or you leave a loaded firearm unsecured and a child gets it you can be charged as well.
PENALTIES FOR WEAPONS
A weapons charge in Texas has many facets. Whether you were simply carrying the weapon or you used it to commit another crime, if you have been previously convicted, and many other details can determine whether you are facing a misdemeanor or felony and, more importantly whether you are facing jail time or not. Because there are many defenses and many opportunities to aggressively defend a weapons charge in Texas, it is very important that you contact us immediately.
IT IS IN YOUR INTEREST TO HAVE REPRESENTATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Call Brian Kennedy Law to discuss your case and find out your options. The confidential consultation is free. Early contact often means that we are able to find out what is going on with the investigation before things get too far down the road. Because there are so many possibilities and the repercussions can be so terrible, it is very important that you contact our firm right away so that we can begin building your defense to help you fight your weapons charge.
