The state government in Texas has many rules that help protect your right to own a firearm as a citizen of the United States. However, the state still arrests and prosecutes people for firearm offenses when they violate certain state or federal rules.
Many people assume that to lose their right to legal gun ownership, they have to commit a violent felony, but that is not the case. Numerous federal rules restrict your right to own a firearm. Could a fight or disagreement with your spouse eventually lead to a weapons charge against you in Texas?
A domestic violence charge may affect your weapons rights
Federal restrictions on firearms ownership apply to those diagnosed with certain psychiatric conditions and those dishonorably discharged from the military. However, certain criminal charges can also lead to the loss of your gun ownership rights.
Any domestic violence offenses, including misdemeanor charges, will end your right to legally possess a firearm. Although the law initially only applied to felony domestic violence, lawmakers later expanded the law. In fact, even if the charge itself is not domestic violence but a different offense that stems from an incident involving a roommate, romantic partner or family member, then the same restrictions still apply.
If you later encounter law enforcement after a domestic violence conviction and discover you in possession of a firearm, they could arrest you and charge you with a weapon offense. Learning more about the firearm and weapons laws in Texas can help you ensure that you follow them.
