Yes, Dracos are legal to own and carry in Texas, as long as the owner is a legal firearm possessor. A Draco pistol is treated under Texas law as a handgun, not as an “assault weapon,” because Texas has no assault-weapon ban. However, adding certain attachments (like a stock or converting a Draco into a short-barreled rifle or a machine gun) can immediately turn it into an illegal weapon under federal law if the owner does not have the proper paperwork. So while the gun itself is legal, how you configure it can make it a felony.
A Draco is basically a compact AK-style pistol that shoots rifle cartridges. It is loud, intimidating, and sometimes controversial, but Texas law does not restrict it based on caliber, style, or capacity. The only real legal risks come from how it is modified and where it is carried.
Why Dracos Are Legal in Texas
Texas gun law does not regulate firearms by name, style, or “assault weapon” features. There is no Texas statute banning:
- AK-style rifles
- AK pistols such as the Draco
- High-capacity magazines
- Pistol braces (state level)
- Folding or angled grips
Texas only restricts certain behaviors (such as carrying into prohibited locations) rather than banning types of guns.
The Draco Is Seen as a Handgun
Because a Draco has:
- No stock
- A short barrel
- A pistol receiver
…it is classified as a handgun under both Texas and federal law.
If you can legally own a handgun, you can legally own a Draco in Texas.
What Modifications Make a Draco Illegal?
Some common AK pistol accessories change the legal category of the firearm:
Adding a Stock Without a Tax Stamp
If you attach a stock or make the firearm designed to be shoulder-fired before getting federal approval, it becomes an illegal Short-Barreled Rifle (SBR) under the National Firearms Act (NFA).
Penalty: Up to 10 years in federal prison + felony charges.
What About Pistol Braces?
After 2023–2024 ATF rule changes, pistol braces are treated as rifle stocks if used to shoulder the gun. Without an SBR tax stamp, a braced Draco that can be shouldered can be prosecuted federally.
Installing a “Switch” or Full-Auto Conversion
Any device that makes a Draco fully automatic is treated as a machine gun. Possessing one is a federal felony, even if it’s not installed.
10 years in prison, federal charge, and Texas felony under Penal Code §46.05.
Safe Modifications
Legal accessories include:
- Slings
- Optics
- Muzzle brakes
- Handguards
- Grips (unless part of an SBR conversion)
Who Can Legally Own a Draco?
You must meet the same requirements as owning a standard handgun. You cannot legally own a Draco if you are:
- a convicted felon
- under certain restraining orders
- convicted of domestic violence misdemeanor
- an unlawful user of federally prohibited drugs
- under 18 (minimum 18 to possess; 21 to buy from a dealer)
- residing in the U.S. unlawfully
Texas removes many restrictions, but federal law still applies to possession.
Can You Carry a Draco in Your Car?
Yes, legally. In Texas, you may carry a loaded handgun in your car without a license (Constitutional Carry). A Draco counts as a handgun, so it’s legal to carry one in a vehicle.
But It Must Not Be Used in a “Threatening Manner”
Openly brandishing a Draco on your lap during a traffic stop can lead to charges such as:
- disorderly conduct
- terroristic threat
- improper display
Best practice: Stored safely, holstered/bagged, not displayed impulsively.
Where Dracos Are Illegal to Carry (Even If You Can Own One)
Carrying a Draco into the following locations is illegal, just like any other handgun:
- schools & school events
- 51% alcohol revenue bars
- courthouses & government courts
- polling places during elections
- secure airport areas
- sporting events (unless authorized)
You can legally own one but cannot legally carry it everywhere.
Final Answer
Yes — Dracos are legal in Texas. Texas does not restrict AK pistols by type, caliber, or magazine capacity. A Draco is treated just like any other handgun. The major legal risks come from:
- adding a stock or brace without registering an SBR,
- converting to full auto,
- or carrying in prohibited places.
