If you have been arrested and charged with any sort of weapon offense, contact us immediately to discuss your situation. When you are working with the team at Cole Paschall Law, you can be confident that your case is being handled by an experienced criminal defense attorney in Fort Worth who is doing everything they can to ensure that your case has a positive outcome.
Contact us today to schedule an initial consultation, where we will be able to discuss the circumstances of your arrest, and the charges you are facing, and get an idea of how our team will handle your case while we represent you. You will be able to talk to us about our history of success, as well as get a better understanding of your charges and possible penalties. Read more below about Texas weapon charges.
Types of Weapon Charges in Texas
There are many different types of weapons charges that you may end up with in Texas, either as their own charge or as an enhancement or addition to another charge. In some cases, a misdemeanor charge can be increased to a felony if there are weapons involved in the incident.
One of the major weapons violations laid out in the Texas Penal Code is the Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon. This statute states that: “A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun or club; and is not:
- (A) on the person’s own premises or premises under the person’s control; or
- (B) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle or watercraft that is owned by the person or under the person’s control”
If you are licensed to carry the weapon, and are doing so within the stipulations of your license or permit, then you will not be found to be in violation of this statute.
However, if you are not licensed or are in violation of your license or permit stipulations, then you can be charged with UCW (Unlawful Carrying Weapons).
Types of Weapons in Texas
Below, you can see examples of some (but not all) weapons that are either prohibited or require special dispensation to possess in Texas.
- Clubs and sticks
- Explosives
- Firearms
- Handguns
- Machine guns or automatic weapons
- Armor-piercing bullets
- Brass knuckles
There are a variety of other objects that can also be considered as weapons given the situation that they were used in. If you are arrested for a robbery and have a concealed knife that falls within the legal size limits in the Texas Penal Code, you may still end up with a weapons charge because of the context.
License to Carry and Concealed Handgun Licenses
If you are granted a CHL or LTC license from the state of Texas, then you are allowed to either carry a concealed handgun or open-carry a handgun, in certain situations. There are, however, situations where you are not allowed to carry your firearm even if you have a license to do so, and violating these rules can lead to losing your license, losing your firearms, and being charged with weapons violations. It is important that you understand the rules, regulations, and requirements of your license to be certain that you do not violate any laws surrounding it.
Locations You Are Not Allowed to Carry a Handgun at:
- Schools where handguns are not allowed
- Bars or other establishments that make more than 50% of their income on liquor sales
- Prisons and jails
- Churches and places of worship
- Amusement parks
- While intoxicated
If you are found to be in violation of weapon possession restrictions in any of these locations, you will be charged for this, and will likely lose your weapon.
What to Do During a Weapons Arrest
If you are being arrested either with a weapon or for a weapon violation, it is important that you communicate that you are in possession of the weapon as soon as possible. Remain calm, and do not make sudden movements. Keep your hands visible while you explain to the officer where the weapon is, what the weapon is, and how they can get it from your person.
Remain respectful during your arrest, and do not agree to speak about your violations until you are being counseled by a criminal defense attorney. Contact us as soon as possible to get started on your case, and we will interface with the police during your interviews to be sure that you do not accidentally incriminate yourself.
Consult With a Fort Worth Weapons Offense Attorney at Cole Paschall Law Immediately
Should you find yourself facing allegations of a weapons-related offense in Fort Worth, TX, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our team at Cole Paschall Law comprises criminal defense attorneys who are adept in managing cases involving Fort Worth weapons offenses. Our commitment is unwavering in our efforts to have your charges dismissed. Give us a call today to defend your rights at (817) 477-4100.
In instances where dismissal isn’t achievable, our focus shifts to vigorously pursuing a reduction of the charges to a lesser offense. We understand the stress and fear associated with such charges and are here to support you through this challenging time. Contact our team of Fort Worth weapons offense attorneys now to secure the assistance you rightfully need.