TX gun laws? and things I'm missing

Here is a very good guide to Texas weapons laws:

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BxTMRmH1_7NEdWFjUDl1VWIwb0E/edit?pli=1

Handgunlaw.us, of course, will have a lot of great info.

If you want to talk about shooting ranges, events, and opportunities in TX, they the rally point area.

Alas, general Texas talk, not related to guns is off topic here.

Nope. No Bowie knives. Ironic, eh? Folks think Texas is the exemplar state that embodies all the crazy American "wild-west" no rules weapons freedom. It's actually one of the more restrictive states in the south.

San Antonio also has a weird law regarding lockblade knives. Although I don't believe it's enforced.

Sam1911 said:

Nope. No Bowie knives. Ironic, eh? Folks think Texas is the exemplar state that embodies all the crazy American "wild-west" no rules weapons freedom. It's actually one of the more restrictive states in the south.

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So very true!

Use the citations in that link as an authority, not the opinions of the writer. He posts on other gun forums claiming to be the oracle on Texas gun laws.

As to the Bowie knife restriction here, there's already a prohibition on carrying any knife with a blade in excess of 5.5". Not many out there, if any, with blades shorter than that so that's pretty much moot.

Thanks for that I appreciate it. Btw, while I was reading I came accross TX knife laws too. No BOWIE knives?! What is that, some kind of sick joke from the hippies in Austin? Maybe I read it wrong but I read it several times and I don't think I did. Unbelievable.

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I thought the same thing when I moved here 20yrs ago... Apparently the law is quite old thou.

Compared to the PRoM (my brother lives there and calls it the peoples republic of Massachusetts) Texas will be a breath of fresh air. Yeah no open carry yet but besidesthe post office, schools, bars and hospitals, you can carry wherever they don't post a 30.06 sign. That's the sign that prohibits carry on a premises. And it must be displayed. A "no gun" sign, like some will post, is not valid.

We have also eliminated a rather strict law about accidental exposure of a ccw. Doesn't mean you can flash but if your shirt rides up while reaching for something on the top shelf of a store, you won't get in trouble.

Want a new firearm? Takes about 30 min and no interview with your local police. I couldn't believe what my brother went through to buy and own his pistol.

My brother has an ar too and disguises it in a special carry case so he doesn't get a rash of crap from the liberal / progressive / communist neighbors.

Such a shame that Mass was once the bastion of freedom. Enjoy Texas. Welcome.

The Bowie knife is so effective that it would be like carrying a m60 and 3 grenades. Had to ban it after decimating the buffalo herds with Bowie knives, in order to save the few remaining buffalo for zoos and expensive jerky.

TX is a fine gun positive state.

There are some issues:

1. NO open carry
2. You have to take a class and test for a CHL
3. No campus carry due to the legislature screwing up (not just the antis)
4. Official signs that have the force of law banning carry. Not so many but some anti businesses put them up.

Positive:

Easy to get CHL, loads of gun stores and competition venues. Most folks gun friendly. Even if Austin - there are great gun stores, nearby Cabelas. Lots of shooting places.

Austin has fun restaurants and other stuff. So some huff and puff but it really doesn't impact gun fun even in the city itself.

GEM TX is a fine gun positive state.

There are some issues:

1. NO open carry

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Not true. Texas law does not prohibit the open carry of rifles or shotguns.

Want a new firearm? Takes about 30 min and no interview with your local police.

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Maybe even not that long.

My local gun store is two miles away. Being retired I spend a lot of time there.
Having a CHL there's no NICS check when I buy a gun.

If I know the gun I want, I can leave the house with a fresh cup of Coffee.
Buy a gun and be driving home while still drinking my warm Coffee.

2. You have to take a class and test for a CHL

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This bothered me at first, until I saw just how unqualified some people are to carry a gun.

At my last license renewal (my 5th) two "shooters" loaded the rounds backwards in their magazines.

The shooting qualification is so easy I passed it with my eyes closed. (not the actual qualification but on my home range)

Try this place:

www.texaschlforum.com

Chock full of information.

Just my .02,
LeonCarr

True: It is legal to open carry long guns.

But it will get you stopped and talked to and delayed and harassed. Look up and read about the gent that was recently convicted for open carry and Temple, Tx.

both the candidates for governor right now claim to support open carry for chl people. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/02/06/wendy-davis-supports-open-carry-law/

but the governor has no power in texas, so unless the legislature is in the mood nothing will happen. In other news we can carry switchblades now, but apparently they can't be bought online and mailed to us due to federal laws of some sort. 2 steps forward, 1 step back......

Gun Geezer ..... Look up and read about the gent that was recently convicted for open carry and Temple, Tx.

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He wasn't "convicted for open carry" of a firearm..........as that is not against state law.

He was charged and convicted of "interfering with the duties of a police officer", a misdemeanor.

He got what he was looking for.

Carrying long arms is prohibited in San Antonio, BTW. When discussing open carry, we tend to fight for the practical.

One thing that annoys many people from other states is that Texas has very little public land. So people who are used to hunting or shooting on public land are often shocked at the prices to lease private land for hunting or private range fees.

And check out the Texas Gun Talk forum as well. I live in central Texas now, having just moved from west Texas by way of far east Texas and northeast Texas. The forum has a wealth of knowledge on Texas gun laws and Texas CHL laws as well as all kinds of other information.

http://www.texasguntalk.com

Hopefully I'm not breaking any rules with that link

Texas has very little public land. Actually Texas has virtually NO public land in the sense of BLM or similar land. When Texas was a young country, it had no cash on hand and ended up selling its public land for hard dollars (short version but adequate). Hence, no public land with the exception of state parks, forests, and national forests. Sadly no large tracts of hundreds of thousands of acres of shootable land.

GEM Carrying long arms is prohibited in San Antonio, BTW.

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Might want to run that by the Attorney General's office.......state law doesn't allow cities to be more restrictive than state law.

John There is no such law in san antonio that you are refering to, as another poster said cit,county,or municipal ordinances cannot be more restrictive than the state law.