Texas Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Texas have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. There’s no state-level ban on assault-style weapons or magazine capacity limits. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | 🚫 No. Private transfers are exempt from background checks. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales. |
| Is Texas a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. Both are codified in Texas law (TPC 9.32). |
| What kind of restrictions does Texas have? |
|
| Does Texas have any gun storage laws? | ⚠️ No statewide safe-storage mandate; there are child-access laws related to criminal negligence. |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Texas? | ✅ Yes. No state limits on quantity purchased. |
| Does Texas have a red flag law? | 🚫 No. Texas prohibits municipal ERPOs and has delayed state-level anti-red-flag legislation (SB 1362 pending). |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Texas? | 🚫 No. No firearm registration requirement in Texas. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No. Only federal background check required at dealer. |
| Does Texas have a waiting period for firearms? | 🚫 No. Only dealer check processing delay. |
🚫 No. There’s no state-level ban on assault-style weapons or magazine capacity limits.
🚫 No. Private transfers are exempt from background checks.
✅ Yes. Federal NICS checks apply on all dealer sales.
✅ Yes. Both are codified in Texas law (TPC 9.32).
- ℹ️ Permitless carry (open & concealed) for those 21+ (and 18+ in military) since Sept 1, 2021 – HB 1927 / Firearm Carry Act
- ℹ️ Licensing (LTC) still available and beneficial for reciprocity and avoiding background check delays.
- ℹ️ No waiting periods or background checks at point-of-sale (private transfers unaffected).
⚠️ No statewide safe-storage mandate; there are child-access laws related to criminal negligence.
✅ Yes. No state limits on quantity purchased.
🚫 No. Texas prohibits municipal ERPOs and has delayed state-level anti-red-flag legislation (SB 1362 pending).
- ℹ️ 18+ for long guns,
- ℹ️ 21+ for handguns from dealers.
🚫 No. No firearm registration requirement in Texas.
🚫 No. Only federal background check required at dealer.
🚫 No. Only dealer check processing delay.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Texas allow Open Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit for handguns, 21+ (or 18+ for military), under HB 1927 (Sept 1, 2021). |
| Does Texas allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal without a permit, same age rules as open carry under HB 1927. |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Pepper spray (≤4 oz), stun guns, tasers are legal to carry without a permit (age 18+). |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Most public, private property (with permission), vehicles. State preemption supersedes local rules. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 Public schools, universities, polling places, government buildings, parks, and posted “no firearms” zones. |
| States honored? | ✅ Recognizes out-of-state LTCs via Governor proclamations under Texas law. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅Texas LTC is honored in these states:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 5 Years. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Optional LTC (standard/enhanced) remains, helpful for reciprocity and restricted areas.
|
✅ Legal without a permit for handguns, 21+ (or 18+ for military), under HB 1927 (Sept 1, 2021).
✅ Legal without a permit, same age rules as open carry under HB 1927.
✅ Pepper spray (≤4 oz), stun guns, tasers are legal to carry without a permit (age 18+).
✅ Most public, private property (with permission), vehicles. State preemption supersedes local rules.
🚫 Public schools, universities, polling places, government buildings, parks, and posted “no firearms” zones.
✅ Recognizes out-of-state LTCs via Governor proclamations under Texas law.
✅Texas LTC is honored in these states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 5 Years.
🚫 No. Carry privileges apply only to handguns.
ℹ️ Optional LTC (standard/enhanced) remains, helpful for reciprocity and restricted areas.
- Issued by Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| Official Licensing & State Info | |
| Online & In‑Person Training | |
| Local Classes & Academies | |
| Hunter Education |
Texas Leadership
- Born: November 13, 1957 (Wichita Falls, TX)
- Term Started: January 20, 2015
- Previous Role: Attorney General of Texas (2002–2015), Justice of the Texas Supreme Court (1996–2001)
- Born: February 2, 1952 (Houston, TX)
- Senate Service: Since December 2, 2002
- Committees:
- Finance
- Judiciary
- Intelligence
- Born: December 22, 1970 (Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
- Senate Service: Since January 3, 2013
- Committees:
- Commerce Science and Transportation
- Foreign Relations
- Judiciary