Unlawful Possession of Firearm

Can I be convicted for unlawful possession of a firearm after I’ve been convicted of a felony?

If you have been convicted of a felony then you must wait five years from the date that you were released from probation, prison or parole before you can legally possess a firearm in the State of Texas, and even then you are not permitted possess a firearm in any place other then or residence.

Can I be convicted for unlawful possession of a firearm after I’ve been convicted of a misdemeanor?

If you have been convicted of misdemeanor assault against a family or household member then you may not possess a firearm until five years has passed since your release from confinement or probation.

Also, any person who is subject to a protective order my not possess a firearm after receiving notice of the order and before the expirations of the order.

Sec. 46.04. UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF FIREARM. (a) A person who has been convicted of a felony commits an offense if he possesses a firearm: (1)after conviction and before the fifth anniversary of the person’s release from confinement following conviction of the felony or the person’s release from supervision under community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision, whichever date is later; or (2) after the period described by Subdivision (1), at any location other than the premises at which the person lives. (b) A person who has been convicted of an offense under Section 22.01, punishable as a Class A misdemeanor and involving a member of the person’s family or household, commits an offense if the person possesses a firearm before the fifth anniversary of the later of: (1) the date of the person’s release from confinement following conviction of the misdemeanor; or (2) the date of the person’s release from community supervision following conviction of the misdemeanor. (c) A person, other than a peace officer, as defined by Section 1.07, actively engaged in employment as a sworn, full-time paid employee of a state agency or political subdivision, who is subject to an order issued under Section 6.504 or Chapter 85, Family Code, under Article 17.292 or Chapter 7A, Code of Criminal Procedure, or by another jurisdiction as provided by Chapter 88, Family Code, commits an offense if the person possesses a firearm after receiving notice of the order and before expiration of the order. (e) An offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the third degree. An offense under Subsection (b) or (c) is a Class A misdemeanor.