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Charged with unlawful carrying of weapons in the Houston area? Call us today!

Unlawful Carrying of Weapons

Texas Penal Code § 46.02

(a) A person commits an offense if the person:

(1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun ;  and

(2) 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.

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(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 or watercraft that is owned by the person or under the person's control at any time in which:

(1) the handgun is in plain view, unless the person is licensed to carry a handgun under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and the handgun is carried in a shoulder or belt holster;  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 or boating;

(B) prohibited by law from possessing a firearm;  or

(C) a member of a criminal street gang, as defined by Section 71.01.

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(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.

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(a-3) For purposes of this section, “watercraft” means any boat, motorboat, vessel, or personal watercraft, other than a seaplane on water, used or capable of being used for transportation on water. 

 

(a-4) A person commits an offense if the person:

(1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a location-restricted knife;

(2) is younger than 18 years of age at the time of the offense;  and

(3) is not:

(A) on the person's own premises or premises under the person's control;

(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;  or

(C) under the direct supervision of a parent or legal guardian of the person.

 

(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c) or (d), 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.

 

(d) An offense under Subsection (a-4) is a Class C misdemeanor.

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