Texas Concealed Carry Laws

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026

Constitutional Carry Yes, starting Sept 1, 2021

Open Carry Legal with License to Carry.

Permit honored in 36 states

Texas honors 49 states

Texas Gun Laws

Open Carry

Legal with License to Carry.

Open carry is not permitted for anyone, just those who have obtained the license to carry.

Permitted

Duty to Notify Law Enforcement

Required by law to notify the officer upon official contact or when ID requested

Restricted

State Parks

Concealed Carry is legal in accordance with state laws that regulate the right to carry

Permitted

Restaurants Serving Alcohol

Not allowed where 51% of income is derived from the sale/service of alcoholic beverages.

You may not carry into a premise that has a liquor license and derives 51 percent or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption.

Permitted

Firearms at Colleges

Concealed guns allowed by law, but schools limit locations/who carries

Informational

Firearms at K-12 Schools

Permittees allowed to have handgun in vehicle.

Informational

Church Carry

Churches act like any other private property and may restrict
on a church by church basis

Informational

Hotels

No legal restriction - Reference article on page 67

Informational

Secure Storage Requirements

There are legal consequences if one fails to secure their firearm and that leads to a minor gaining unauthorized access.

Informational

Magazine Capacity Limitations

No restrictions

Permitted

Suppressor Ownership

Ownership & Hunting Legal.

Permitted

Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit

Loaded handguns allowed if concealed

Permitted

Firearm Law Uniformity

Firearm laws are uniform throughout state.

Permitted

Permit Training Requirements

You must take a training course proving competency with a handgun that is taught by a state certified instructor.

Informational

Non-Resident Permits

Non-Residents may apply for a permit.

Permitted

Constitutional Carry

Yes, starting Sept 1, 2021

Permitted

Duty to Retreat

No Duty to Retreat

Permitted

Places Off Limits

On the premises of a business that derives 51% or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption. On the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting or interscholastic event is taking place. On the premises of a correctional facility. On the premises of a hospital or nursing home (unless licensee has written authorization). In an amusement park. At any meeting of a governmental entity. link and link also specifically prohibit handguns or weapons under other circumstances and from other locations other than those listed above. For example: It is against Texas law to carry a concealed handgun if the person has the handgun in plain view; or if the person is engaged in a criminal activity (other than a Class C traffic offense); or if prohibited from possessing a firearm, or is a member of a criminal street gang. Some other areas where weapons are prohibited include the premises of polling places on the day of an election or during early voting, the premises of any government court, the premises of a racetrack, in a secured area of an airport or within 1,000 feet of premises designated as a place of execution on the day a sentence of death is set to be imposed.

Informational

State Contact / Source

Texas Dept. of Public Safety
PO Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773
512-424-7293
www.txdps.state.tx.ut

Informational

Permit Issuing Authority

Texas Department of Public Safety

Informational

Length of Permit Validity

You must renew your permit every 4 years.

Informational

Permit Application Process

Submit an application online to the Texas Department of Public Safety. More detailed info here: link

Informational

Texas Permit Reciprocity

Reciprocity shown is for a standard resident permit. Non-resident and enhanced permit holders may have different reciprocity. Always verify before carrying. Use our full permit reciprocity map for all permit types →

Your Texas resident permit is honored in 36 states

AK AL AR AZ CO DE FL GA IA ID IN KS KY LA MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NM NV OH OK PA SC SD TN UT VA VT WI WV WY

Texas honors resident permits from 49 states

AK AL AR AZ CA CO CT DC DE FL GA HI IA ID IL IN KS KY LA MA MD ME MI MN MO MS MT NC ND NE NH NJ NM NV NY OH OK OR PA RI SC SD TN UT VA WA WI WV WY

Disclaimer:
While Concealed Carry Inc strives to maintain legal reference information updated on this website from publicly available sources; you as the reader and gun owner are responsible to do any and all necessary research and consult with a local attorney before making any decisions. Concealed Carry Inc is not a government agency is not affiliated with a government agency and is not liable for any misinformation, inaccuracies, or actions taken based on this information. We are not attorneys and this information is not legal advice. If you see any information you feel is outdated or incorrect please contact us.

Legal Summaries for all 50 states are available free on our site and mobile app.

Texas Gun Laws

Open Carry

Duty to Notify Law Enforcement

State Parks

Restaurants Serving Alcohol

Firearms at Colleges

Firearms at K-12 Schools

Church Carry

Hotels

Secure Storage Requirements

Magazine Capacity Limitations

Suppressor Ownership

Vehicle Possession Without Recognized Permit

Firearm Law Uniformity

Permit Training Requirements

Non-Resident Permits

Constitutional Carry

Duty to Retreat

Places Off Limits

State Contact / Source

Permit Issuing Authority

Length of Permit Validity

Permit Application Process

Texas Permit Reciprocity

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