[ 04 / Practice · Weapons Charges ]
Weapons Charges
Unlawful carry under Penal Code § 46. Felon in possession, federal § 922(g) enhancements.
Weapons charges in Texas carry serious consequences that can affect your freedom, your right to bear arms, and your future opportunities. From unlawful carry allegations to felon-in-possession charges, these cases require a nuanced understanding of both state and federal firearms laws. Kent Starr stays current with evolving Texas gun legislation and builds defenses that protect your constitutional rights.
Understanding Texas Weapons Charges Under Penal Code Chapter 46
Texas Penal Code Chapter 46 addresses various weapons-related offenses, ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies depending on the circumstances and the individual's criminal history.
Unlawful Carry Weapons (UCW)
Prohibited Weapons
- Explosive weapons
- Machine guns
- Short-barrel firearms
- Armor-piercing ammunition
- Chemical dispensing devices
- Zip guns
Felon in Possession
Building a Defense Against Weapons Charges in Texas
- Challenging the legality of searches and seizures: Many weapons charges arise from traffic stops or investigations where law enforcement allegedly discovered firearms. If the search violated your Fourth Amendment rights, the evidence may be suppressed.
- Establishing lack of knowledge or control: To convict you of possession, prosecutors must prove you knew the weapon was present and exercised control over it.
- Examining statutory exemptions: Certain individuals (like law enforcement officers or military personnel) may have exemptions that apply to their situation.
- Demonstrating compliance with current laws: Showing that your actions were permissible under the specific version of Texas firearm law that was in effect at the time of the alleged offense.
Recent Changes to Texas Firearm Law (Post-2021)
HB 1927 (Permitless Carry)
HB 2622 (Sanctuary Jurisdiction)
Federal Weapons Charges We Defend
- Felon in possession of a firearm (18 U.S.C. §922(g))
- Armed Career Criminal Act enhancements
- Firearms use in connection with drug trafficking crimes
- Illegal importation or manufacturing of firearms
Courts We Serve for Weapons Charges Throughout North Texas
- Collin County courts (McKinney and Plano)
- Dallas County courts
- Tarrant County courts
- Denton County courts
- And courts throughout Rockwall, Kaufman, Ellis, Johnson, and Parker Counties
How We Serve [City] for Weapons Charges
While Kent Starr handles weapons charges across North Texas, his approach is tailored to the specific local considerations of each city and the evolving nature of Texas firearms law. Here's how we serve weapons clients in key communities:
McKinney Weapons Charge Defense
In McKinney, Kent understands how local enforcement of weapons laws interacts with both state and federal regulations. He is familiar with how MKPD typically handles weapons-related calls and how the Collin County justice system processes these cases, allowing for effective defense strategies that consider recent changes like HB 1927 (Permitless Carry) and HB 2622 (Sanctuary Jurisdiction).
Plano Weapons Charge Defense
Plano's corporate environment and affluent residential areas create unique weapons-related considerations that Kent has experience defending against. He understands how weapons charges in Plano often intersect with other allegations (such as white-collar offenses) and how local prosecutors typically approach these cases.
Frisco Weapons Charge Defense
Frisco's entertainment venues and retail districts generate specific weapons-related enforcement patterns that Kent is familiar with. He understands how event security and law enforcement interact in these environments and how this affects weapons-related cases.
Allen Weapons Charge Defense
Allen's retail corridors and residential areas create distinctive weapons enforcement patterns that Kent has tracked over the years. He understands how local police typically handle weapons-related incidents in these environments and how this interacts with the criminal justice system.
Schedule Your Free Weapons Charge Consultation Today
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