Texas-Book-Gun Law Armed And Educated - Flipbook - Page 337
The answer to this question is simple: Yes, they are. This is because
there are no specific Texas or federal regulations regarding carrying
in a commercial shipping vehicle beyond those regulations which
may be imposed by the operator’s employer. This may be a breach
of company policy, but not the law and is not a crime. A breach of
company policy may lead to a person being terminated from their
employment. It is important to remember, however, when you are in
another state, you are subject to their laws—check the law ahead of
time if you are trucking across the nation.
May the handgun be loaded?
Yes. The law allows the handgun to be loaded and accessible—it may
be transported concealed or openly in a holster by an LTC holder or
constitutional carrier. If you are a non-prohibited person between the
ages of 18 and 20 carrying in a vehicle you own or are operating, the
handgun must remain concealed.
What does it mean to be “en route” to a motor vehicle or
watercraft?
Traveling en route means to travel directly to a motor vehicle or
watercraft. The more a person strays from a direct route to their
vehicle, the less likely it will look like they are in en route. There is,
however, no case law drawing bright lines in determining this issue.
A warning on unholstered handguns in vehicles
It is not uncommon to find an unholstered handgun tucked away
or obscured in a vehicle. While this practice may be legal for
qualifying individuals, it may not be advisable. What if a person
is required to exit the vehicle and the handgun is visible and not
holstered (such as during a traffic stop)? Of course, in addition to
the potential problem of a handgun becoming unconcealed, there’s
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