Carrying a gun that belongs to someone else, including your spouse, is legal in some states, such as Texas. However, there are laws you must follow while possessing a firearm. Below, the firearms safety education professionals from LTC Austin, a premier provider of online LTC classes, provide information on whether it’s legal to carry a gun your spouse owns as well as safety tips to keep in mind.
Self-Defense
There are times when people may try to cause bodily harm to you or put your life in jeopardy. In these instances, you can use force to disarm or stop the individuals—this is known as self-defense. In Texas, you can carry your spouse’s firearm to protect yourself from dangerous situations. You can also use your spouse’s firearm when defending your children, other family members, friends, coworkers, or strangers. However, you must be able to prove the action was necessary as outlined by state laws. For example, inciting a fight and pulling out your spouse’s gun to harm someone on the opposing side isn’t considered self-defense. However, if you’re at home and someone illegally enters the house and tries to harm you or others, you can use your spouse’s gun to defend all the members of the household.
Transporting the Gun
Carrying a firearm is legal in the state of Texas as long as you meet all requirements. This can include your spouse’s gun. The gun will need to be correctly stored in these situations. If you’re transporting your spouse’s gun to another location in Texas, you must follow all gun laws for the state. However, if you take the firearm to another state, keep in mind you must abide by the rules of that particular location. Research other states’ laws, specifically the areas you plan to visit, to avoid any legal consequences.
Felony Restrictions
If your spouse has legal convictions on his or her record, they could prevent him or her from owning a gun in Texas. However, having a criminal record doesn’t permanently prohibit your spouse from purchasing, possessing, or carrying a gun in the state—there are some exceptions. It’s always best to learn more about owning a firearm, including legal restrictions. You can take gun courses to learn more about laws and regulations, including whether it’s legal to carry your spouse’s gun if you have felony convictions on your criminal record.
Consequences
If you choose to carry your spouse’s gun and use it illegally, there could be serious consequences, such as losing your gun license, paying fines, or serving jail time. To prevent these problems, you should enroll in a gun safety class to learn more about open carry laws, shooting tips, and areas or businesses to avoid with a firearm. As a law-abiding citizen, you should plan to protect your family and yourself. You don’t want to break any laws or face other consequences, such as negligently shooting someone and putting your spouse in legal jeopardy as the gun’s actual owner.
No matter why you’re choosing to carry a firearm, it’s essential to make sure you learn how to do it safely. License to Carry Austin is committed to providing the best firearms training possible. Whether you want to take an Austin online LTC class to get your carry permit or you simply want to learn how to shoot and handle a gun safely, LTC Austin has what you need. Give us a call today at 512-766-3039.