Texas Handgun Carry Laws

Texas allows adults 21 and older to carry handguns openly or concealed without a permit (“constitutional carry”, effective September 1, 2021 statutes.capitol.texas.gov). Licensed carry (Texas License to Carry, LTC) is still available and confers extra benefits. By law, unlicensed carry is forbidden if the person is under 21; adults 18–20 must have an LTC to carry (Texas DPS now issues licenses to 18–20 yr olds after Firearms Policy Coalition v. McCraw). Under Penal Code §46.02, a handgun in plain view in a vehicle is legal only if the carrier is 21+ or licensed. (Otherwise exposed carry in a vehicle is an offense.)

License (LTC) vs Permit less: The Texas LTC (Gov’t Code §411.172 et seq.) has a 21 yr minimum (except limited military exception), 10–20 hrs training, background check and renewal every 5 yrs. Constitutional carry requires no training or application but yields no written proof and doesn’t help outside Texas. LTC holders have legal advantages: reciprocity in 30+ states, carrying into alcohol-licensed bars (unless posted), schools’ 1,000-ft drug-free zones (federal law 18 U.S.C. §922(q) exempts permit holders), locked-car carry on school property (by law a right for LTC holders), and skipping federal NICS checks on purchases. For example, federal law forbids possession in a school zone, unless one has a state handgun licenses; thus an LTC lets you legally carry in a school pickup line. LTC training also covers legal use of force, etc., and LTCs let teachers and staff keep guns locked in cars on school grounds with immunity from school rules.

Open vs Concealed: Both open (in a holster) and concealed carry are permitted for 21+ persons. Open carry was legal since 2016 (with holster) and remains so under permitless carry. (Texas law bans displaying a handgun in public, but an armed person with a holstered handgun is exempt) Concealed carry likewise needs either age 21 or an LTC. Previous open-concealed distinctions still exist in signage (see below), but both are allowed if 21+.

Prohibited Places: Texas PC §46.03 lists off-limits places. It is always illegal to bring a handgun (open or concealed) into K–12 schools, polling places during voting, courts/jails, racetracks, airport secured areas, execution chambers, and K–12 or public college premises unless written permission. Likewise prohibited are sporting events (unless you’re a uniformed player) bars with 51%+ alcohol sales (unless no “51%” sign), correctional or mental health hospitals, nursing homes (without admin OK), amusement parks and (for license-holders) government open meetings. Effective 9/1/2021, prohibition of guns at open meetings was removed for license holders (notice still governs others). Note: federal rules still ban carry in federal buildings, many post offices, and on U.S. military bases.

Signage/Trespass (Penal §§30.05–30.07): Private property can ban firearms via signs or notices. A valid 30.06 sign at the entrance of a business (“no concealed handguns”) bars licensed carriers from carrying concealed there (penalty = trespass). A 30.07 sign (“no open carry”) similarly forbids licensed open carry. A 30.05 sign (“no handguns in any manner”) prohibits both on-premises carry by anyone (with or without LTC). Absent a compliant sign (30.06/30.07 with 1″ letters, bilingual), a license holder cannot be prosecuted on private property. For example, if a store posts a 30.06 sign, a licensee who ignores it commits a misdemeanor. Texas LTC holders still may NOT carry in public bars unless the bar has NO valid “51%” sign (new law makes bar bans apply only by signage).

Vehicle Carry: In Texas you may carry a handgun in your vehicle in any manner (loaded, holstered, concealed, or in plain view) as long as you are 21 or licensed. If under 21 and not licensed, you may not display a handgun in the car (that would violate PC 46.02(a-1)). There is no “long gun” restriction; rifles/shotguns are likewise allowed for drivers.

Duty to Inform: Texas no longer requires armed people to volunteer they are carrying. Prior “duty to inform” laws for license-holders were repealed effective 9/1/2021 statutes.capitol.texas.gov. You need only follow officer instructions during any stop (and always carry your ID and LTC if licensed).

Age Limits: Permit less carry and open carry require 21 years of age (exceptions: an active-duty or honorably-discharged Texas service member can get an LTC at 18; DPS is also issuing LTCs to 18–20 yr-olds by court order). The LTC itself still requires 21 (except military). Federal law sets gun-purchase age at 18 for rifles, 21 for handguns, but Texas allows anyone 18+ to possess a handgun (even if not carry it).

Recent Updates (2024–2025): Major reforms in 2021 made Texas permit less. In 2025 the Legislature took no action on lowering carry ages (a bill to drop LTC age to 18 failed texastribune.org). In 2025 SB 1596 will legalize short-barreled rifles/shotguns (no state registration). Texas law continues to expand carry rights: campus carry rules have eased and bars are limited to sign-based bansshootsmart.com. All significant effective dates (e.g. September 1) appear above.

Real-world tip: If a business posts a 30.06 (“no concealed”) or 30.07 (“no open”) sign, see it as a lawful ban on carry – either action is a Class A misdemeanor. Similarly, carrying in a K–12 school or polling place is a third-degree felony under §46.03(a). License holders should always carry their LTC card and photo ID. (Again, talk to a firearms instructor or attorney for personal advice, and double-check any law changes.)