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FAQ
It is unlawful for a License To Carry license holder to carry a handgun on the premises of:
- A government court.
- A business that derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption.
- A school or educational institution, high school, collegiate, or professional sporting event or interscholastic event that is taking place.
- A hospital or nursing home.
- An amusement park.
- A place of religious worship.
- A polling place on the day of an election.
- A meeting of a governing body.
- A race track.
- A secured area of an airport.
- A correctional facility.
- A correctional facility or within 1000 feet of such, on the day of an execution.
- The property of another after receiving notice that concealed handguns are forbidden on that property.
- A penal institution.
Caution: This summary is meant for general purposes only. Firearm laws frequently change. You can see the current TEXAS LICENSE TO CARRY A HANDGUN LAWS AND SELECTED STATUTES by clicking here.
Purchase
- A Texas resident, if not otherwise precluded by law, may purchase rifles and shotguns, ammunition, reloading components, or firearms accessories in contiguous states.
- It is unlawful to sell, rent, loan or give a handgun to any person if it is known that the person intends to use it unlawfully.
- It is unlawful to knowingly sell, rent, give or offer to sell, rent or give any firearm to a person under 18 years of age, without the written consent of his parent or guardian.
- It is unlawful to knowingly or recklessly sell any firearm or ammunition to any person who is intoxicated.
Possession
- No state license is required to possess a rifle, shotgun or handgun.
There are restrictions on possession by a person:
- Convicted of a felony or a Class A misdemeanor involving the person’s family or household.
- Or subject to certain orders issued under the Family Code or Code of Criminal Procedure.
Carry
- A person commits an offense of unlawfully carrying a weapon if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun on or about his or her person unless the person is on one’s own premise or premises under the person’s control or inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person’s control.
- It is unlawful to intentionally, knowingly or recklessly carry on or about one’s person a handgun in a motor vehicle if the handgun is in plain view or the person is engaged in criminal activity (other than a misdemeanor traffic violation), prohibited by law from possessing a firearm or is a member of a street gang.
- A person applying for a License To Carry a handgun must apply by obtaining a request for application materials from a handgun dealer, the Department of Public Safety, or any other person approved by the department.
- The Department of Public Safety shall review all applications materials and make a preliminary determination as to whether or not the individual is qualified to receive a handgun license.
- The Department will forward application materials to qualified applicants, or send written notification with the reasons that that the preliminary review indicates the individual is not qualified to receive a license.
- On receipt of the application materials a criminal history record check is conducted by the Department of Public Safety. The Department must issue or deny the license within 60 days of receipt of the completed application.
- The Department must be notified within 30 days of a name or address change.
- A new license expires on the first birthday of the license holder occurring after the fourth anniversary of the date of issuance. A renewed license expires on the license holder’s birthday, five years after the date of expiration of the previous license.