Texas law generally prohibits intentionally or knowingly possessing, manufacturing, transporting, repairing, or selling a machine gun.¹ However, it is a defense to prosecution if the machine gun was properly registered under federal law.²

Federal law requires machine guns to be registered with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), and generally prohibits the transfer or possession of machine guns manufactured after May 19, 1986.³

 See our Machine Guns policy summary for a comprehensive discussion of this issue. 

1. Tex. Penal Code § 46.05(a)(2).[↩]
2. Tex. Penal Code § 46.05(b), (c).[↩]
3. 18 U.S.C. § 922(o); 26 U.S.C. § 5861(d).[↩]