Sloane Law Firm defends clients facing firearms charges throughout Fort Worth and Tarrant County, including unlawful carry, felon in possession, prohibited weapon, and weapons enhancement cases in both state and federal court.
A traffic stop, a misunderstanding of where a firearm can legally be carried, or a prior record can quickly turn lawful possession into a criminal charge in Tarrant County courts.
Once that happens, prosecutors don’t treat it as a technical issue. They treat it as a public safety case, with prison time and firearm restrictions on the table from the very beginning.
At Sloane Law Firm, we step in immediately to challenge how the stop happened, what the law actually allows, and whether the charge should have been filed at all.
Call (817) 810-0088 to understand your legal options before your next court date.
Your future is at stake—do not hesitate to contact the Sloane Law Firm
What Texas gun charges actually mean for you
A firearms charge in Texas is not automatically a conviction. The state has to prove every element beyond a reasonable doubt. The specific facts of where you were, what you were carrying, and whether you held a License to Carry all shape whether a charge holds up at all. The difference between a misdemeanor and a first-degree felony often comes down to those facts.
The most common charges our Fort Worth firearms attorneys handle include the following.
Unlawful Carrying of a Weapon
Under Texas Penal Code Section 46.02, many people who can legally possess a firearm may carry a handgun without a License to Carry if it remains in a holster. Restrictions still apply in certain locations and situations, including while committing another offense or carrying in prohibited places.
Firearms laws involving age restrictions and eligibility continue to evolve, making case-specific legal analysis important. Our attorneys understand how these cases move through Tarrant County courts and can quickly assess whether the charge fits the alleged conduct.
Prohibited weapon possession
Some weapons are restricted outright under Texas law, regardless of License to Carry status. Certain weapons remain heavily regulated under both Texas and federal law. These may include unlawfully possessed short-barreled firearms, unregistered suppressors regulated under federal law, and explosive devices.
In some situations, both state and federal prosecutors may pursue charges arising from the same conduct. Federal charges can layer on top of state charges here, which substantially increases exposure for anyone facing both. Our team handles a wide range of weapons and possession offenses in both state and federal courts.
Felon in possession
Under both Texas and federal law, felony convictions can severely restrict firearm possession rights. Texas law includes limited exceptions involving possession at a residence after certain waiting periods, but federal law still broadly prohibits firearm possession by convicted felons in most circumstances.
Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Texas take these cases seriously, and sentences can reach ten years or more depending on the prior record. Sloane Law Firm handles felon in possession cases in both Tarrant County criminal courts and the federal district court in Fort Worth.
Weapons enhancement charges
If a firearm was allegedly used during another offense, prosecutors can add a weapons enhancement that sharply increases sentencing exposure. These enhancements are worth contesting. A defense attorney can challenge whether the gun’s role in the offense meets the legal threshold Texas law requires.
Sloane Law Firm handles firearms charges as part of a broader criminal defense practice representing clients across Fort Worth and Tarrant County.
Facing any of these charges in Tarrant County? Call Sloane Law Firm at (817) 810-0088 to discuss your defense options before your next court date.
Firearm Enhancement Charges in Tarrant County
In Tarrant County, prosecutors often use firearm enhancements to increase pressure early in the case. Even when the underlying allegation stays the same, adding a weapon enhancement can dramatically increase sentencing exposure.
These enhancements also change plea negotiations. Prosecutors may use the added penalty range to push for faster resolutions or stricter conditions. That does not mean the enhancement automatically applies.
The state still has to prove the firearm meets the legal standard required under Texas law. In some cases, the weapon was never displayed. In others, prosecutors rely on assumptions about accessibility or intent that may not hold up under scrutiny.
We examine whether the alleged firearm use actually supports the enhancement being pursued. Challenging that issue early can significantly affect the direction of the case and the potential penalties involved.
How firearms cases break down in court
Most gun cases in Fort Worth do not turn on whether a firearm existed. They turn on how police found it.
We start by reviewing the stop. We check whether officers had a legal reason to detain you. We then examine the search. We look at whether police stayed within the limits of the law.
Many cases fail at this stage. If the stop or search violates your rights, the court may exclude the firearm as evidence.
We also review possession. Prosecutors must prove the gun belonged to you. Shared vehicles and homes often create doubt. That doubt matters in court.
We gather bodycam footage, reports, and dispatch records. We focus on facts that weaken the state’s case.
Constructive possession disputes
Constructive possession means the prosecution claims you controlled a firearm even though you were not holding it. We challenge that theory directly. If a gun was found in a vehicle or home shared by multiple people, prosecutors must prove the weapon was yours and that you knew it was there. Shared space does not equal individual possession. It is one of the most common and effective challenges in Tarrant County firearms cases, and one our attorneys have successfully argued before local juries.
Shared vehicles create complex gun possession cases
Many firearm arrests in Fort Worth happen during traffic stops involving more than one person. A gun may be found under a seat, inside a center console, or in the trunk of a shared vehicle.
That situation creates an important legal issue. Prosecutors must prove the firearm belonged to a specific person. Simply being near a weapon does not automatically establish possession under Texas law.
These cases become even more complicated when multiple people have access to the same area of the vehicle. Officers may make assumptions at the scene before fully investigating ownership or control.
We review who had access to the firearm, where it was located, and whether evidence actually connects it to you. In many situations, the state’s theory becomes much weaker once those details are examined carefully.
License to Carry and statutory exemptions
Texas law provides several statutory exemptions that can entirely defeat an unlawful carry charge. If one of those exemptions applies to your situation, we identify it and build the defense around it from the start. Texas law includes specific exemptions and non-applicability provisions for certain weapon carry situations. People on their own property, inside their vehicles, and individuals engaged in lawful hunting or sporting activities may qualify for protections that can defeat an unlawful carry charge.
Since Texas enacted permitless carry laws, the legal analysis has become more fact-specific in many cases. We examine how these laws apply to the exact circumstances of an arrest and build that defense strategy from the beginning.
Castle Doctrine and self-defense
If you used or possessed a firearm to protect yourself, your family, or your home, Texas self-defense law may be your strongest defense. We assess whether Castle Doctrine or stand-your-ground protections apply to your specific facts. Texas self-defense laws include strong legal protections involving the defense of oneself, others, and one’s habitation under certain circumstances. If you used or possessed a firearm in response to a genuine threat, that context becomes central to the defense. These cases require thorough documentation of the threat environment and attorneys who can present the full picture persuasively to a Tarrant County jury.
Contact Sloane Law Firm at (817) 810-0088. We will tell you what defenses apply before you decide anything.
How firearm cases move through Fort Worth courts
Firearm cases in Fort Worth move quickly through Tarrant County courts. Misdemeanor charges go to one of the County Courts at Law, while felony firearms charges move to one of the 17 District Courts in Tarrant County. Each court has its own prosecutors and judicial tendencies that shape how cases are handled.
Once charges are filed, the case moves into pretrial hearings. Judges often decide early motions that shape the outcome of the case.
Prosecutors rely heavily on police reports at this stage. That makes early defense work critical.
We appear regularly in these courts. We understand how local prosecutors build gun cases and where those cases tend to weaken.
What happens after a gun arrest in Fort Worth
Most clients come to us within days of an arrest, still working out what the charge actually means. Here is a plain-language breakdown of what to expect.
Arraignment and bail
After arrest, you will appear before a magistrate for an arraignment and bail determination. For felony gun charges, bail can be set high. We can argue for a reasonable amount at this early stage and seek to modify conditions before the next court date.
Grand jury proceedings for felonies
Felony firearms charges in Texas go through a grand jury before formal indictment. A grand jury is a panel of citizens that decides whether enough evidence exists to charge you formally. In limited situations, defense attorneys may submit materials or information relevant to grand jury review before formal indictment. This option disappears if you wait too long to retain counsel.
Pretrial motions
This is often where gun cases are decided. Pretrial motions are formal requests we file asking the judge to rule on specific legal issues before the case goes to trial. Motions to suppress illegally obtained evidence can gut the prosecution’s case before it reaches a jury. We review every piece of the state’s evidence and challenge anything obtained through an unlawful stop, search, or seizure.
Early mistakes can damage a defense case
Many people hurt their case before formal charges are even filed. Some try to explain the situation to the police during questioning. Others contact witnesses directly or post about the arrest online.
Prosecutors can use those statements later, even when they were made casually or without bad intent.
Early representation helps prevent those mistakes. It also allows the defense to begin preserving evidence immediately. Surveillance footage, dispatch records, and witness recollections can disappear quickly if no one acts quickly.
In some cases, the first few days after an arrest shape the entire defense strategy moving forward.
Plea negotiations versus trial
Not every case goes to trial. Some resolve through a negotiated plea or deferred adjudication that avoids the harshest sentencing outcomes. Others require a jury. We evaluate both paths honestly with each client and prepare fully for whichever route makes sense given the evidence and your priorities.
Case timelines
Misdemeanor gun cases in Tarrant County can resolve in weeks to a few months. Felony cases typically run six months to over a year, depending on complexity and court scheduling. Federal cases in the Northern District often take longer. We keep clients informed at each stage so there are no surprises.
Why timing matters in firearm cases
Gun charges move faster than many people expect. Prosecutors begin reviewing reports and evidence almost immediately after an arrest.
Important decisions also happen early. Bail conditions, charging decisions, and evidence preservation can all affect the outcome of the case before the first major hearing takes place.
Waiting too long limits defense options. Witness memories fade. Video footage disappears. Prosecutors gain more time to build the case without challenge.
Getting legal guidance early allows you to understand the risks, protect your rights, and make informed decisions from the start.
Frequently asked questions about firearms charges in Fort Worth, Texas
Can a firearms charge be expunged from my record in Texas?
If charges were dismissed or you were acquitted, you may qualify for expunction, which removes the arrest from your record entirely under Texas Code of Criminal Procedure Chapter 55. If you received deferred adjudication, a nondisclosure order may limit who can see the record. Eligibility depends on the specific charge and outcome.
What is the difference between state and federal gun charges?
Texas state charges go through the Tarrant County courts. Federal charges go through the U.S. District Court in Fort Worth.
Federal cases usually carry longer sentences. They also follow stricter rules. Some conduct triggers federal jurisdiction automatically.
Will a conviction affect my gun rights?
A felony conviction removes your right to own or possess firearms under state and federal law. Some misdemeanor convictions can also trigger restrictions. It is one of the most serious consequences of a gun case.
How long does a firearms case take to resolve in Tarrant County?
Misdemeanor firearms cases in Tarrant County often resolve within weeks to a few months. Felony cases typically take six months to over a year, depending on the charge, the evidence, and court scheduling. Federal firearms cases in the Northern District of Texas generally run longer. The timeline also depends on whether the case resolves through a plea or goes to trial.
Speak with a Fort Worth firearms lawyer at Sloane Law Firm today
Gun charges in Tarrant County move fast. The decisions made in the first days after an arrest determine what options remain open in court. Waiting narrows those options.
Sloane Law Firm’s firearms attorneys offer free consultations with no obligation. We will review the charge, walk through your realistic defense options, and give you an honest assessment of the path forward. Our defense team brings more than 50 years of combined criminal defense experience, including firearms and weapons charges in Tarrant County courts and the federal Northern District of Texas.
Call (817) 810-0088 or visit us at 933 W Weatherford St, Suite 203, in downtown Fort Worth. The sooner you reach out, the more options remain available to your defense.