Texas-Book-Gun Law Armed And Educated - Flipbook - Page 73
C. Definitions for handguns, rifles, and shotguns
In addition to defining what constitutes a firearm, federal and Texas
law further classify and define firearms into categories of handguns
and long guns (rifles and shotguns). This section will provide an
overview of how federal and state laws classify firearms as well as
the physical requirements for a firearm to be legal.
1. What is a handgun?
Ultimately, whether looking at the federal or Texas definition, the
term “handgun” is defined in the same manner; it simply refers to
any firearm that is designed to be fired by using only one hand.
While it is true that most individuals will use two hands when firing
a handgun for safety and accuracy purposes, the emphasis in the
legal definition of a handgun rests purely in its design to be held or
fired with a single hand.
FEDERAL DEFINITION
The United States Code of Federal Regulations defines a handgun
as “(a) any firearm which has a short stock and is designed to be
held and fired by the use of a single hand; and (b) any combination
of parts from which a firearm described in paragraph (a) can be
assembled.” 27 CFR § 478.11.
TEXAS DEFINITION
Under Texas law, handguns are defined by the Penal Code in
Chapter 46. A handgun “means any firearm that is designed, made,
or adapted to be fired with one hand.” Tex. Penal Code § 46.01(5).
2. What is a rifle?
Federal law defines a rifle as “a weapon designed or redesigned,
made or remade, and intended to be fired from the shoulder, and
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