Can an 18 Year-Old in Texas Legally Carry a Handgun in His Vehicle?

[SimpleIsGood229]

Forgive me if this is in the wrong forum.

Anyway, I've searched and searched and can't seem to find an answer. I've heard an 18 year-old can, in fact, legally drive around in Texas with a handgun in the vehicle, but I want to verify it --right or wrong-- for myself.

Thanks, y'all!

 

[wdlsguy]

Legal, as long as you follow the rules:

HB 1815 excludes from unlawful carrying of a weapon a person who is carrying a handgun, illegal knife, or club on the person’s own premises or premises under their control or inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or is under their control. The bill makes it an offense to carry a handgun in a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person’s control if the handgun is in plain view or the person is engaged in certain criminal activity, is prohibited from possessing a firearm, or is a member of a criminal street gang.

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/director_staff/public_information/pr082007a.pdf

Please note that you can carry in your own vehicle. Not someone else's vehicle. Think of your vehicle as being an extension of your own home.

http://tlo2.tlc.state.tx.us/statutes/docs/PE/content/htm/pe.010.00.000046.00.htm#46.02.00

 

[springmom]

Yes you can, provided you are not otherwise prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Springmom

 

[csmkersh]

It's TxPC §46.13 that sets the age limit for generally unsupervised possession of a firearm, not just a handgun. Generally, persons under the age of 17 may not possess of firearm without the supervision/prescience of a person 18 or older.

Expect grief in a traffic stop though.
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[dodging230grainers]

Hey simple,

I'm also an 18 year old in TX (Houston), and I plan on keeping a loaded handgun in my car when I get my first pistol soon. If I were you, I'd keep it in a special handgun safe made for cars, and put that inside the center console. Alternately, you could keep it locked in the glovebox, but then you'd have to turn off your car to open the glovebox, which might or might not be a disadvantage.

Either way, I'd keep it well stored. This way it is difficult to get harrassed by police, or get it easily stolen.

 

[SimpleIsGood229]

Just the answer I was looking to confirm. Thanks a ton, y'all!

The idea of a truck safe is a good one. I should look into it.

Why can't the government website be this easy? Oh, that's right...