The gun laws in Texas are changing rapidly and becoming far more complicated with each and every passing day. Most legal experts predict that the bill to approve the open-carry of handguns here in the Lone Star State, though controversial and somewhat vague, will soon pass the Texas House and the Texas Senate and move on to Gov. Greg Abbott’s desk for what he says is a guaranteed approval into law.
But even if this law passes, that doesn’t mean it will be smooth sailing for Texas residents to begin packing heat anywhere they want. Rules and regulations will certainly accompany this law that will probably prove to be vague and hard to understand. And if campus carry is also signed into Texas law, then there will be a vast number of discussions on all public college and university campuses all across our fine state.
Your San Antonio criminal defense lawyers will no doubt be pressed into action when misunderstanding and confusion of the law leads to police stops and even arrests. If you get stopped or arrested for weapons offenses, regardless if the new law passes, then you can turn to the Law office of Shawn C. Brown for relief and restitution.
The criminal defense attorneys that you’ll find at the Law Office of Shawn C. Brown are well-versed in all aspects of our complicated gun laws, whether state offenses or those of a federal weapons nature. You will not want to strike out alone if you are forced to defend your actions, whether legally under state laws or in the realm of the federal justice system.
Texas already allows the open carry of unloaded rifles and shotguns in the public arena, but recent actions of police toward these gun-toting individuals has resulted in officer stops and in some cases, arrests. To be honest, though, any individual carrying a so-called long gun in public can be deemed a menace if according to the police the weapon is being brandished in a threatening manner. That degree of subjectivity will always allow for confusion and mistrust of the law.
According to the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, which is a grass-roots conservation group dedicated to the education and training of all law-biding gun owners, there are 44-states that already allow the open carry of handguns. The USCCA also spends a significant amount of their efforts to equip either a beginner or an experienced gun owner.
Along those lines, if you have been arrested and charged with carrying a weapon illegally, you will not want to go through the legal process without a competent San Antonio criminal defense attorney by your side. And if you are openly carrying a handgun (should the law pass, of course) and get stopped, questioned and arrested, then your best option is a legal firm that can handle any state or federal weapons matter.
Much more will definitely play out in our legislative session – which is only halfway through – so keep an open mind and an open eye to what will ultimately unfold before us. But even though these gun possessing individuals will be highly trained and licensed, many leaders in area police departments have made it known that the open carry of long guns or hand guns for that matter will most likely lead to a stop.
And if you feel that you are being unduly harassed or treated unfairly by the police, you best avenue for redress is to seek out a skilled criminal defense attorney, such as those you’ll find at the Law Office of Shawn C. Brown.