This guide provides information on Texas and federal gun laws including: background checks, open carry, concealed carry, handgun licenses, restrictions for felons, and local regulation of firearms and shooting ranges.
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The library cannot help you determine whether you are legally allowed to carry or possess a firearm. If you have questions about your eligibility under the law, be sure to ask an attorney.
As of 2021, people who qualify under the law can carry a handgun in a public place in Texas without a license to carry (LTC). Texans can still apply for an LTC since it may carry additional benefits. See our License to Carry page for more info.
Sections 46.02 and 46.04 of the Texas Penal Code describe unlawful carry and possession of a firearm. Generally, to carry a handgun in public in Texas without an LTC, a person must not:
Texas law sets the age requirement to carry a gun at 21 years of age. A 2022 federal court case, Firearms Policy Coalition, Inc. et. al., v. Steven McCraw, et. al., challenged the constitutionality of this restriction. The court ruled that 18-to-20-year-olds may not be prosecuted under this restriction based solely on their age.
As a result of this case, DPS stated that they would no longer deny applications for LTCs solely on the basis that the applicants are 18-to-20 years old.
These changes did not give the right to carry a handgun to anyone who was prohibited before the amendment took effect. Section 2 of HB 1927 states:
persons who are currently prohibited from possessing firearms under state and federal law will not gain the right to possess or carry a firearm under this legislation
Texas law does not specifically put restrictions on who can carry a long gun such as a rifle or shotgun. However, some people are prohibited from owning or possessing any firearm by law. See the Owning and Possessing section of this research guide for more information.
This section sets the age limit for carrying a handgun, lists which convictions disqualify someone from carrying a handgun, and lists other limitations. It sets out the requirement that handguns must be carried in a holster. It also discusses how handguns can be carried in certain motor vehicles and watercrafts.
This chapter, "Weapons," discusses criminal offenses related to carrying, buying, and selling firearms. It also defines firearms and other types of weapons. Section 46.04 discusses the unlawful possession of a firearm including restrictions on people with felony convictions.
This FAQ discusses the law that removed the requirement to have a license in order to carry a handgun in Texas in 2021.
This FAQ discusses Texas laws surrounding the carrying of guns in cars, boats, or other vehicles.This FAQ discusses Texas's reciprocity agreements with other states relating to licenses to carry handguns.
This article discusses the carry of firearms in Texas. It provides a list of convictions that disqualify a person from having a firearm and a list of places where firearms are banned. The article is provided by Nolo, a legal publisher.
This publication from the Texas Municipal League provides answers to frequently asked questions about the 2021 "unlicensed carry" law.
This article from Texas Law Shield, a private legal defense company, provides information on the new 2021 law that removed the requirement to have a license to carry a handgun in Texas.
Created to help demystify recent changes in Texas law around constitutional carry, this publication from U.S. Law Shield helps gun owners figure out the basics of Texas and federal laws that govern carrying firearms in Texas.
Generally speaking, people in Texas can carry guns wherever guns are not prohibited. Some places are always off-limits. At other types of places, the property owner or the person in control of the property can choose whether to allow guns.
Texas law makes some places always off-limits to firearms (both handguns and long guns).
The law was amended in 2021 to remove the requirement to have a license to carry in order to carry a handgun. The amendment also consolidated the list of places where firearms are prohibited.
This section, "Places Weapons Prohibited," provides a list of places where the carry of firearms may not be allowed.
This section discusses several situations and places in which the carry of a handgun by a license-holder may be prohibited. It also mentions the requirement to carry a handgun in a holster. Note: In 2021, HB 1927 repealed this statute and moved the content to other sections of the Penal Code. However, three other new laws in 2021 added language to this section. Some of that language may be effective in certain situations.
See Page 6 of this publication for an answer to the FAQ: "In what places is a person prohibited by state law from carrying a firearm?" Provided by the Texas Municipal League.
This article discusses the carry of firearms in Texas. It provides a list of convictions that disqualify a person from having a firearm and a list of places where firearms are banned. The article is provided by Nolo, a legal publisher.
Texas law gives most private property owners the power to choose whether they want to allow guns on their property or not. If property owners want to ban guns, they generally need to let people know by posting specific signs or by giving people notice another way.
Certain businesses and other places that are considered "prohibited places" for firearms under Penal Code Sec. 46.03 have different rules for giving notice that guns are not allowed (for example, hospitals, racetracks, and amusement parks).
See the pages of this guide on Businesses & Private Property and Religious Property for more information about how private property owners can prohibit guns.
There are restrictions on carrying firearms at schools and college campuses. HB 1927, which removed the requirement to have a license to carry a handgun, did not eliminate these restrictions. See our page on schools and college campuses for more information.
See our page on Vehicles & Traveling for more information about carrying firearms in cars, boats, and other vehicles.
