Texas
PermitlessTexas concealed carry & gun laws.
Open carry, sensitive places, vehicle carry, reciprocity, and recent law changes — all in one place, with official sources cited.
Key facts
Open carry in Texas
Open carry of a handgun is legal for 21+ since HB 1927 (Sept 2021) without a permit, in a holster. Open carry of long guns has long been legal. Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act applies on top.
Vehicle carry
Handguns may be carried in a private vehicle by anyone 21+ legally able to possess a firearm — no LTC required since 2021. Must be in a holster or unloaded/cased.
Where you can't carry — sensitive places
These are the statutory locations where Texas prohibits carry regardless of permit status. Federal facility bans (post offices, federal courthouses, etc.) apply on top of these.
- K-12 schools and school grounds
- Higher-education campuses (with limited exceptions for LTC holders per campus carry law)
- Courthouses and offices of court (Penal Code § 46.03)
- Polling places
- Government meetings (when posted)
- Racetracks
- Secured areas of airports (TSA-controlled)
- Bars and businesses earning >51% of revenue from on-premises alcohol sales (51% sign)
- Hospitals and nursing homes (when posted with 30.06/30.07 signs)
- Amusement parks
- Places of worship that have posted 30.06/30.07 signs
- Correctional facilities
Self-defense law
- Castle doctrine: Texas recognizes castle doctrine — no duty to retreat in your home (and typically vehicle/workplace).
- Stand your ground: Texas has a stand-your-ground law — no duty to retreat in any place you are lawfully present, when meeting the use-of-force criteria.
- Duty to inform on traffic stops: Only if the officer asks.
Recent law changes
- 2021-09-01 — Permitless carry — HB 1927. Texas became a constitutional-carry state for residents 21+ who can lawfully possess a firearm. LTC remains available and is honored more widely in other states. Source →
Reciprocity — your Texas permit elsewhere
A Texas License to Carry (LTC) is honored in approximately 40 states. See the full list and travel-route planning on our Can I Carry tool.
Reciprocity — other states' permits in Texas
Permitless carry effective Sept 1, 2021 (HB 1927) for 21+ eligible to possess. Texas LTC is one of the most widely-honored permits (37+ states).
How to get a Texas License to Carry (LTC)
See our Texas permit guide for full process details: required class, fingerprinting, application form, fee, and processing time.
Next step
See where your permit travels.
Use our interactive Can I Carry map to plan trips across state lines — including states that recognize your permit, states that don't, and states with permitless carry for visitors.
Check reciprocity →Sources
Frequently asked
Do I need a permit to carry concealed in Texas?
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No. Texas is a permitless / constitutional carry state for residents and (in most cases) non-residents 21+ who are eligible to legally possess a firearm. A License to Carry (LTC) is still useful for reciprocity in other states, expedited NICS processing, and (in some states) school-zone exceptions.
Is open carry legal in Texas?
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Open carry of a handgun is legal for 21+ since HB 1927 (Sept 2021) without a permit, in a holster. Open carry of long guns has long been legal. Federal Gun-Free School Zones Act applies on top.
Can I keep a loaded handgun in my car in Texas?
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Handguns may be carried in a private vehicle by anyone 21+ legally able to possess a firearm — no LTC required since 2021. Must be in a holster or unloaded/cased.
Where am I prohibited from carrying in Texas?
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Statutory sensitive places in Texas include: K-12 schools and school grounds, Higher-education campuses (with limited exceptions for LTC holders per campus carry law), Courthouses and offices of court (Penal Code § 46.03), Polling places, Government meetings (when posted), and others. Federal facility bans (post offices, federal buildings, schools under GFSZA) apply on top.
Does Texas have stand-your-ground or castle doctrine?
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Castle doctrine: yes. Stand your ground: yes. Duty to inform on traffic stops: only if asked.
What's the most recent Texas gun law change?
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2021-09-01: Permitless carry — HB 1927. Texas became a constitutional-carry state for residents 21+ who can lawfully possess a firearm. LTC remains available and is honored more widely in other states.
Where can I carry my Texas permit?
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A Texas License to Carry (LTC) is honored in approximately 40 other states. See our Can I Carry interactive map for the full state-by-state breakdown plus travel-route planning.