Texas-Book-Gun Law Armed And Educated - Flipbook - Page 81
• Destructive devices; and
• Weapons classified as “Any Other Weapon,” or AOWs.
See 26 U.S.C. § 5845.
On the surface, the prohibited firearms list is similar between both
federal and state law, with the primary difference existing merely
in classification only (federal law classifies most of these items
as firearms, whereas Texas classifies the items not as firearms
but prohibited weapons). However, although these firearms and/
or weapons are prohibited by statute, it does not mean a person
absolutely cannot possess one. Many of these weapons may be
legally possessed with proper compliance under the National
Firearms Act. See Chapter 18 for more information on these
prohibited weapons and the NFA.
F. How big of a gun can a person possess?
Federal law dictates that any firearm which has any barrel with
a bore of more than one-half inch in diameter is a “destructive
device” and is subject to the National Firearms Act. Possession
of any such firearm without the proper paperwork associated
with NFA firearms is illegal. Note, however, that some shotguns
are regulated differently. See Chapter 18 for more information on
destructive devices and the NFA.
II. AMMUNITION AND THE LAW
No discussion concerning firearm law would be complete without
examining laws concerning the ammunition that goes into a firearm.
Just like firearms, the law regulates the possession, sale, and even
composition of “legal” ammunition. This section addresses the
essential aspects of the law concerning ammunition and what gun
owners need to know, both under federal and Texas law.
70 | CHAPTER FIVE
