Case Name: GATES v. STATE
Court: Texas Court of Criminal Appeals
Jurisdiction: Texas
Decision Date: 1918-01-30
Citations: 200 S.W. 841
Docket Number: No. 4842
Parties: GATES v. STATE.
Judges: 
Reporter: South Western Reporter
Volume: 200
Pages: 841–841

Head Matter:
GATES v. STATE.
(No. 4842.)
(Court of Criminal Appeals of Texas.
Jan. 30, 1918.)
Weapons <®=>6 — Unlawfully Careying Pistol.
Where defendant had made a trade for a pistol, and unexpectedly met the seller at a social gathering, and the seller turned the pistol over to defendant, who carried it home, defendant was not guilty of a violation of the pistol law.
Appeal from Houston County Court; E. Winfree, Judge.
Ellis Gates was convicted of violating the pistol law, and he appeals.
Judgment reversed, and cause remanded.
Moore & Ellis, of Crockett, for appellant. E. B. Hendricks, Asst. Atty. Gen., for the State.

Opinion:
DAVIDSON, P. J.
Appellant was convicted of violating the pistol law; his punishment being assessed at a fine of $100.
Under the evidence appellant ought not to have been convicted. Bearing upon that particular phase of the case the evidence discloses that appellant had a pistol; that he and others had gone to or near a social gathering. Without giving details why appellant was there, it is sufficient to state he went to see a party with reference to a business matter whom he expected to meet. While there, a party came and turned over to appellant a pistol. The evidence shows that appellant had bought the pistol from the party, and he delivered it to him on this occasion. Appellant had previously made a trade for the pistol. The seller was to deliver it to him. It seems he did not anticipate seeing him on this occasion, but he came and turned over the pistol to appellant. Appellant started home with it and was arrested within a short distance. The other facts are deemed unnecessary to state. This is the evidence as to appellant having the pistol. .Under this view of it, we are of opinion this was not a violation of the pistol law. Having purchased it, he had a right to carry it home.
The judgment will be reversed, and the cause remanded.