Texas gun laws changed dramatically in 2021, and many owners still assume the new rules cover every situation. Clients learning otherwise call Derek Israel Law, PLLC, where our weapons charges lawyer in Lockhart and New Braunfels, TX, distinguishes lawful carry from the exceptions that lead to arrests.
Gun Charges Filed Across Central Texas
Firearm counts get added onto other cases about as often as they get filed on their own. Deputies, Lockhart and New Braunfels police officers, and state troopers file the following charges in Central Texas courts most weeks of the year:
- Unlawful carrying of a weapon
- Unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
- Possession of a prohibited weapon
- Making a firearm accessible to a child
Federal exposure sits behind several of those counts, particularly when a prior felony conviction or a pending drug case is involved. Our attorney carefully reviews both systems before predicting where a case will ultimately land.
Does Permitless Carry Cover Everyone?
No, and the gaps in it constantly catch responsible owners. Eligibility still depends on age, criminal history, and sobriety at the moment of carrying, none of which appear on a permit because no permit exists anymore.
Carrying a handgun while intoxicated is generally charged as a Class A misdemeanor under Texas Penal Code Section 46.02. As a result, a driving while intoxicated (DWI) arrest involving a handgun can lead to a separate unlawful carrying charge, and prosecutors often pursue both offenses in the same case.
Punishment Ranges For Weapons Offenses in Texas
Unlawful carrying is a Class A misdemeanor, with a year in county jail possible, while a felon-in-possession count is a third-degree felony, carrying 2 to 10 years. Prohibited weapon charges sit somewhere in between those two.
Places Where Carrying Stays Illegal
The end of Texas’s handgun licensing requirement did not eliminate location-based firearm restrictions, and posted notices still carry legal consequences. Firearms remain prohibited in several locations, regardless of who is carrying them or how responsibly they do so:
- School campuses and school-sponsored events
- Polling places on election day
- Courtrooms and court offices
- Businesses posting the red 51 percent sign for alcohol sales
Signage errors occur frequently, and a missing or noncompliant notice can entirely defeat a location-based charge. Our lawyer photographs the entrance and measures the lettering well before the first setting whenever the posting is disputed.
Contact Derek Israel Law
How Are These Cases Defended?
Search law does most of the work here, since officers usually find the gun during a routine stop rather than through any investigation. Our weapons charges lawyer in Lockhart and New Braunfels, TX, challenges the stop, the reach into the vehicle, and the claim that anyone possessed the firearm.
Keep One Traffic Stop From Ending Your Gun Rights
A conviction can permanently close the door on firearm ownership, long after the fine is paid and the case file is closed. Derek Israel Law, PLLC, brings small-town accessibility and real courtroom preparation to gun cases across central Texas. Call (512) 407-3390 or schedule a free consultation before entering any plea.
"Great experience he really fought on my case he fights for the truth !"
"I would highly recommend working with Derek Israel Law. He was very easy to get a hold of and very responsive when needed. With his help we were able to have a very favorable outcome. I can’t say enough good things."
"I've had my fair share of criminal defense attorneys both paid and court appointed. Derek went above and beyond to get my charge dismissed. If you want a defense attorney who's been on both sides of the law, knows the law and will put in the hard work to serve your interests he's your man. Cannot say enough about how engaged Derek was every step of the way in this journey. I hope I never need another defense attorney but if I do there's no other attorney I'd consider calling. Thank you Derek."
