Constitutional Carry?

Does Texas allow constitutional carry?

Open Carry Permitted?

Is open carry permitted in Texas?

Gun Permit Licensure?

If Texas requires a permit to carry a concealed firearm, how are those permits issued?

Minimum Age for Concealed Carry?

What is the minimum age in Texas to get a concealed carry permit?

Weapons Other Than Handguns Allowed?

Can you conceal carry weapons other than handguns in Texas with a concealed carry permit (or under permitless carry if applicable)?

Non-Resident Permitting?

Does Texas issue concealed carry permits to non-residents?

Public Access to Concealed Carry Registry?

Does Texas allow the public to access concealed carry registry information through public records law?

Carry in Vehicle?

Can you carry a concealed firearm in a vehicle in Texas?

Carry at Roadside Rest Areas?

Can you carry a concealed firearm at roadside rest areas in Texas?

Carry in State/National Parks, State/National Forests and Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs)?

Can you carry a concealed firearm in state/national parks, state/national forests and Wildlife Management Areas in Texas?

Carry in Restaurants That Serve Alcohol?

Can you carry a firearm in restaurants that serve alcohol in Texas?

Store in a Vehicle in an Employee Parking Lot?

Does Texas have laws relating to storing firearms in private vehicles in an employee parking lot?

Must Notify Officer You're Carrying?

Are you required to notify a police officer that you're carrying a concealed firearm in Texas?

Magazine Limits for Handguns?

Does Texas have magazine capacity restrictions for handguns?

Ammunition Restrictions?

Does Texas have ammunition restrictions?

"No Weapons Allowed" Signs Enforced?

Are "No Weapons Allowed" signs enforced in Texas? If yes, violating the sign would be considered to be a crime. If no, violating the sign would not be considered a criminal offense.

Preemption?

Does Texas have [preemption laws](https://www.usconcealedcarry.com/resources/terminology/firearms-and-ammunition/preemption) related to concealed carry (i.e. Does state law supersede local laws regarding the possession of handguns)?

Red Flag Law?

Does Texas have a red flag law?

Requirements:

An applicant must:

• Be a legal resident of Texas for 6 months or have relocated with the intent to establish residency in the state;
• Be at least 21 years of age, 18 if a member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard or discharged under honorable conditions;
• Have not been convicted of a felony;
• Have not been charged with the commission of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense, or of an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or equivalent offense, or of a felony under an information or indictment;
• Not be a fugitive from justice for a felony or a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense;
• Not be chemically dependent;
• Be capable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage of a handgun;
• Not, in the 5 years preceding the date of application, have been convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense or of an offense under Section 42.01, Penal Code, or equivalent offense;
• Be fully qualified under applicable federal and state law to purchase a handgun;
• Not have been finally determined to be delinquent in making a child support payment administered or collected by the attorney general;
• Not have been finally determined to be delinquent in the payment of a tax or other money collected by the comptroller, the tax collector of a political subdivision of the state or any agency or subdivision of the state;
• Not be currently restricted under a court protective order or subject to a restraining order affecting the spousal relationship, other than a restraining order solely affecting property interests;
• Not, in the 10 years preceding the date of application, have been adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct violating a penal law of the grade of felony; 
• Not have made any material misrepresentation, or failed to disclose any material fact, in an application submitted pursuant to Section 411.174; and
• Meet federal law requirements.

Fees:

$40 for standard initial licenses and renewals.

$25 for initial licenses and renewals for honorably discharged military vets.

Valid For:

5 years

Processing Time:

60 days

Application:

Link to application form
Link to interactive online application
Link to replacement license

Non-Resident Concealed Carry Permits:

Out-of-state residents must supply a color copy, front and back, of a state driver’s license or ID card and a proficiency certificate not greater than 2 years old from a course approved by the Texas Dept. of Public Safety. Applications may be submitted online or via mail.
 

Name/Address Changes:

You can make name and address changes online.

Lost/Stolen Permits:

You can submit a request for a new license online. You will be issued a new license number for security reasons.

Step 1:

Download the application form or submit an online application.

Step 2:

Schedule an appointment for fingerprinting. All fingerprints must be submitted through L-1 Enrollment Services. There is a fee of $9.95 for fingerprinting.

Step 3:

Complete classroom training. Pass the written exam and pass a shooting proficiency demonstration.

Step 4:

Submit the Certificate of Training to the Dept. of Public Safety to complete the application.
If you are making the application by mail, send your application to:

Texas Department of Public Safety
Concealed Handgun – MSC 0245
P.O. Box 4087
Austin, TX 78773-0001

Step 5:

You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.

Step 1:

You will usually be notified about 6 months before your license expires to renew it. Handgun license renewals can be submitted 6 months prior to the expiration date of the license. Renewals can be made up to 12 months after the expiration date of license. Renewal applications made after 12 months from the expiry date will be treated as a new application.

Step 2:

Download the application form or submit an online renewal application.

Step 3:

Complete the application and pay the fee.

Step 4:

You will be notified by mail if your application has been approved.

Where Can I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Texas?

• Carry in restaurants that serve alcohol? Yes, unless posted.
• Carry in my vehicle without a permit/license? Yes, only if concealed. 
• Carry in roadside rest areas? Yes.
• Carry in state/national parks, state/national forests, and WMAs? Yes.
• Carry on the campuses of public colleges and universities? Yes, with a permit except in posted areas. Private or independent institutions of higher education may still regulate or prohibit the concealed carrying of firearms on their campuses.
• Carry in places of worship? There is no State statute prohibiting concealed carry in places of worship. However, since places of worship are private property, they may post signs prohibiting firearms.

Where Can't I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Texas?

Places off-limits even with a permit/license

• On the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting or interscholastic event is taking place;
• 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 (these businesses must be posted);
• On the premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court;
• On the premises of a correctional facility;
• Within 1,000 feet of any premises the location of which is designated by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice as a place of execution on a day that a sentence of death is set to be imposed;
• On the premises of public or private employers, other than the parking lot, if posted;
• Anywhere if you are intoxicated;
• Anywhere if the handgun is un-holstered and in plain view;
• Anywhere if you are a member of a criminal street gang;
• Anywhere while engaged in unlawful activity;
• Polling places on day of election;
• Premises of a racetrack;
• Secured area of airport;
• If given effective notice under Section 30.06 or 30.07 and posted with approved signage:
  • On the premises of a hospital or nursing home;
  • In a permanent amusement park;
  • On the premises of a church, synagogue or other place of worship; and
  • At any meeting of a governmental entity; and
• Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation.
   

Do firearms need to be registered in Texas?

No.

Is a permit required to purchase a gun in Texas?

No.

Are background checks required for private gun sales in Texas?

No.

Is there a waiting period after purchasing a firearm in Texas?

No.

What are the knife laws in Texas?

Anyone can carry a knife less than 5.5 inches in length nearly anywhere. Any adult can carry any knife over 5.5 inches anywhere other than the same locations that are off-limits to firearms. Knives with knuckles and tomahawks are not legal to carry in Texas.

What are the laws regarding carrying a firearm while using alcohol or prescription medication in TX?

Not while intoxicated, per Tex. Pen. Code § 46.035
As a responsibly armed American, regardless of the laws in your state, it is unwise to carry while under the influence of any substance that could impair your judgement, slow your reaction times, or impact your decision-making abilities. Any decision you make while carrying a firearm could have life-altering consequences.