Texas-Book-Gun Law Armed And Educated - Flipbook - Page 436
Formerly, Texas law allowed individuals to possess zip guns with
proper registration under the National Firearms Act. However, the
84th Texas Legislature in 2015 removed this exception. It is now
illegal to possess a zip gun, and there is no defense or way to make
the zip gun legal for possession. If you are caught with a zip gun,
your legal defense is limited to arguing that it isn’t a zip gun!
3. Improvised Explosive Devices
In response to the increased threat of attacks using an Improvised
Explosive Device (“IED”) as was demonstrated in tragic events
like the Boston Marathon bombing, the Texas Legislature has
made it a felony to possess, manufacture, transport, repair, or sell
these weapons. An IED is defined as “a completed and operational
bomb designed to cause serious bodily injury, death, or substantial
property damage that is fabricated in an improvised manner using
nonmilitary components.” See Tex. Penal Code § 46.01(19).
The law specifically excludes the unassembled components and
exploding targets used for firearms practice (i.e., Tannerite).
4. Tire deflation devices
Texas law prohibits tire deflation devices, which are defined as “a
device, including a caltrop or spike strip, that when driven over,
impedes or stops the movement of a wheeled vehicle by puncturing
one or more of the vehicle’s tires.” See Tex. Penal Code § 46.01(17).
What is a caltrop? A caltrop is a weapon made up of two or more
sharp nails arranged in a way that one always points up from a stable
base. Anciently, caltrops were used as a way to slow the advance of
horses, war elephants, camels, and human troops and were used as
early as 331 BC. Today, caltrops (pictured below) are used to deflate
automobile tires.
Beyond Firearms: Knives, Clubs, And Tasers | 425
