Texas Concealed Carry

Texas operates a dual-track system: most adults 21 and older can carry a handgun — openly in a holster or concealed — in many public places without a license under HB 1927, subject to statutory location restrictions and other eligibility limits. At the same time, the License to Carry (LTC) system administered by the Texas Department of Public Safety remains fully active as a shall-issue licensing program, and it still matters in ways that permitless carry does not cover.

This guide is for Texas residents deciding whether to pursue an LTC, non-residents traveling through the state, and current LTC holders who need to understand where their license still makes a difference.

The interaction between HB 1927's permitless carry framework and the remaining location-specific restrictions in Penal Code § 46.03 creates real complexity — particularly around college campuses, posted private property, and the federal school zone exception.

Texas gun law is detailed, and the consequences of a misstep in a prohibited location are serious. Verify current statutes and any institutional policies before carrying in unfamiliar locations.

Is Concealed Carry Legal in Texas?

Yes. Texas allows concealed carry — and open carry in a holster — for most adults 21 and older without a license under Texas Penal Code § 46.02 as amended by HB 1927, effective September 1, 2021, subject to statutory exceptions and prohibited locations.

Who may carry under permitless carry:

• Must be 21 years of age or older
• Must not be prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm (no felony convictions, no certain disqualifying misdemeanors, etc.)
• Must not be carrying in a statutorily prohibited location under Penal Code § 46.03
• Handgun must be carried in a holster (open or concealed)

Non-residents: Permitless carry does not require Texas residency. Non-residents who are 21 or older and otherwise eligible under Texas and federal law may carry under the same general Penal Code rules when in Texas.

A critical limitation: Permitless carry does not mean unrestricted carry. Penal Code § 46.03 lists numerous locations where firearms are prohibited regardless of permit status, and the LTC remains necessary for certain locations — notably most college and university buildings — where permitless carry alone is insufficient.

Concealed Carry Permits in Texas — The License to Carry (LTC)

Why the LTC Still Matters

Even in a permitless carry state, the Texas LTC provides three distinct practical advantages:

1. Campus buildings: An LTC is required to carry a concealed handgun inside most public college and university buildings under Government Code § 411.2031. Permitless carry does not authorize carry in those buildings.
2. Federal school zone exception: The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)) exempts state-licensed carriers. A Texas LTC qualifies; permitless carry without an LTC does not clearly satisfy that exception.
3. Interstate reciprocity: When traveling to other states, an LTC is the document that enables recognition under reciprocity agreements. Permitless carry status in Texas is not portable.

Permit Name and Issuing Authority

The permit is called the License to Carry a Handgun (LTC), established under Texas Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter H. It is issued exclusively by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS), which administers applications, background checks, issuance, and revocations under Government Code §§ 411.171–411.180.

Eligibility

Core eligibility requirements under Government Code § 411.172 include:

• At least 21 years of age, except for limited statutory or court-recognized pathways that may apply to some 18–20-year-olds; verify current DPS guidance for that age group.
• No felony conviction
• No certain misdemeanor convictions or intoxication-related offenses within the statutory lookback period
• Not chemically dependent as defined by statute
• Not delinquent on child support or certain tax obligations
• Otherwise qualified under state and federal law

Training Requirements

LTC applicants must complete a DPS-approved handgun proficiency course under Government Code §§ 411.174 and 411.188, which includes:

• classroom or online instruction covering laws on the use of force, safe storage of firearms, and nonviolent dispute resolution, with the current minimum hour requirement set by DPS rules
• A written exam (minimum 80% to pass)
• A live-fire shooting proficiency demonstration administered by a DPS-certified instructor

The online classroom portion and the in-person live-fire exam are separate steps. Completion of both is required before applying; DPS issues an LTC-104 certificate of training upon course completion.

Validity Period and Renewal

LTCs are valid for the term specified by Texas law, with renewal available online through the DPS portal.

Renewal procedures and timelines are administered by DPS — check the current DPS handgun licensing page for the exact term and fee schedule, as these are subject to administrative update.

Resident vs. Non-Resident

Feature	Resident LTC	Non-Resident LTC
Issuing Authority	Texas DPS	Texas DPS
Residency Required	Yes (Gov't Code § 411.172(a)(1))	No — eligible under § 411.173(a)
Eligibility Standard	Gov't Code § 411.172	Same substantive criteria
Carry Privileges	Identical once issued	Identical once issued
Application Process	Online via DPS portal	Online via DPS portal

 

Non-residents who meet the statutory requirements of § 411.173 may apply for a Texas LTC, and a valid non-resident LTC generally functions the same as a resident LTC for carry purposes.

Where Concealed Carry Is Prohibited in Texas

Penal Code § 46.03 — Statutory Prohibited Locations

The following locations prohibit firearms for most carriers regardless of permit status:

• Schools and school grounds, school buses, and school-sponsored activities
• Polling places on election day or during early voting
• Courts and court offices
• Racetracks
• Secured areas of airports
• Correctional and detention facilities
• Amusement parks that meet the statutory criteria under § 46.03
• Locations where high school, collegiate, or professional sporting events are taking place (with certain exceptions)
• Areas within a specified distance of an execution being carried out

Each subsection of § 46.03 contains specific exceptions for peace officers, licensed security personnel, and in some subsections, LTC holders. Read the applicable subsection carefully — the exceptions are not uniform across all prohibited locations.

51% Establishments — Bars and Alcohol-Primary Venues

Texas law prohibits carry — including by LTC holders — in businesses that derive 51% or more of their income from on-premises alcohol sales.

These establishments are required by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to post a red-and-white sign indicating the prohibition. Carry in these locations is not permitted even with a valid LTC.

Campus Carry — LTC Required for Buildings

Under Government Code § 411.2031, LTC holders may generally carry a concealed handgun on public university and college campuses, subject to each institution’s rules and statutory exclusions. Carry must remain concealed at all times on campus, and permitless carry alone does not authorize carry inside campus buildings.

Private Property and Signage

General trespass (Penal Code § 30.05): Any property owner may prohibit firearms by providing notice, including oral notice or signage. An armed person who remains after being told to leave can be prosecuted for criminal trespass.

LTC-specific notice — §§ 30.06 and 30.07:

• § 30.06 applies specifically to LTC holders carrying a concealed handgun. A license holder commits an offense if they carry concealed on property after receiving proper written or oral notice that such carry is forbidden.
• § 30.07 applies to LTC holders carrying openly. Similar structure — violation after proper notice is a criminal trespass offense.

For written notice to carry statutory force under §§ 30.06 or 30.07, the sign must include the statutory language and meet Texas’s formatting and placement requirements.

Improperly formatted signs may not satisfy the statute — but general trespass under § 30.05 can still apply if oral notice is given.

Vehicle Carry

Penal Code § 46.02(a-1) allows a person who may lawfully possess a firearm to carry a handgun in their own motor vehicle or watercraft, provided the handgun is not in plain view unless carried in a holster, the person is not engaged in criminal activity, and the person is not otherwise prohibited from possessing the firearm.

A license is not required for this provision.

Concealed Carry Reciprocity in Texas

Recognition of Other States' Permits in Texas

Texas recognizes valid handgun licenses from other states under Government Code § 411.173(b) and related provisions. When carrying in Texas under another state's license, the holder is subject to the same location restrictions and carry rules as a Texas LTC holder — including § 46.03 prohibited locations and the 30.06/30.07 signage framework.

DPS maintains a reciprocity list identifying which states are recognized, whether recognition is reciprocal (two-way), by formal agreement, or one-way. The DPS State Reciprocity Information page is the authoritative source for current recognition status — check it before traveling.

Texas LTC Recognized in Other States

Many states recognize the Texas LTC by statute or reciprocity agreement. Some impose additional conditions — resident-only recognition, age minimums beyond Texas standards, or weapon-type limitations.

The DPS reciprocity table classifies each state as "Reciprocal," "Agreement," or "No Agreement." One-way arrangements are common: some states honor a Texas LTC even without Texas reciprocating that state's permit.

Federal Restrictions That Still Apply in Texas

Texas's permitless carry law and the LTC do not override federal firearms prohibitions.

Federal facilities: 18 U.S.C. § 930 prohibits firearms in federal facilities — federal courthouses, Social Security offices, and most federal office buildings — with narrow exceptions for official law enforcement. Neither permitless carry nor an LTC creates an exception.

U.S. Postal Service property: 39 C.F.R. § 232.1 prohibits firearms on all USPS property, including parking lots, absent official authorization.

Gun-Free School Zones Act: 18 U.S.C. § 922(q) generally bans firearm possession within 1,000 feet of a K–12 school. 

The statute includes a licensing exception for persons with a state-issued license — a Texas LTC qualifies. Permitless carriers without an LTC do not qualify for that licensing exception and must rely on other narrow GFSZA carve-outs.

Interstate travel: 18 U.S.C. § 926A protects the transport of an unloaded, cased firearm between two lawful endpoints — it does not create a right to carry loaded or concealed while transiting other states. Texas LTC holders must verify current reciprocity status with each destination state before traveling.

Recent Legal Changes and Trends

HB 1927 — Ongoing Implementation

The Firearm Carry Act of 2021 established Texas's permitless carry framework effective September 1, 2021. Since then, institutions, employers, and agencies have updated their policies to reflect what permitless carry does and does not authorize.

Colleges and universities have published campus carry FAQs reinforcing that an LTC is required inside buildings and that handguns must remain concealed at all times on campus.

Age Eligibility Updates

Court rulings in the post-Bruen landscape have affected Texas LTC eligibility for some 18–20-year-olds, and current DPS guidance should be checked before relying on that age category.

This is a significant development not yet reflected on many competitor guides. Verify current DPS eligibility guidance for this age group, as the statutory minimum in HB 1927's permitless carry provisions is 21, while DPS administrative action may allow LTC issuance to 18–20-year-olds.

Post-Bruen Litigation

Following New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen (2022), courts have applied heightened scrutiny to location-based carry restrictions nationwide. Texas already operated a shall-issue system, so its licensing framework itself has not been challenged in the same way as may-issue states.

Litigation in Texas has focused more on specific prohibited-place categories and possession rules than on the licensing structure. Specific case outcomes require verification against current appellate decisions.

Common Misunderstandings About Concealed Carry in Texas

"Permitless carry means there are no restrictions."

Penal Code § 46.03 lists numerous locations where firearms are prohibited regardless of permit status — schools, courts, polling places, racetracks, secured airport areas, 51% establishments, and more. HB 1927 removed the licensing requirement for many public spaces; it did not repeal location-specific bans.

"Anyone 18 or older can carry under permitless carry in Texas."

Texas's general public carry framework under HB 1927 and Penal Code § 46.02 is keyed to age 21. Federal law also bars licensed dealer handgun transfers to persons under 21. Younger adults face stricter restrictions under both state and federal law. (A separate DPS pathway may allow 18–20-year-olds to obtain an LTC — verify current DPS guidance.)

"A Texas LTC means I can ignore 30.06 and 30.07 signs."

Penal Code §§ 30.06 and 30.07 create specific criminal trespass offenses for LTC holders who carry — concealed or openly — on property after receiving proper notice. These signs are specifically designed to apply to LTC holders. Ignoring a properly posted § 30.06 sign is a criminal offense.

"Permitless carry covers me under the federal school zone exception."

The Gun-Free School Zones Act's licensing exception requires a state-issued license. A Texas LTC satisfies that requirement; carrying without an LTC under permitless carry provisions does not clearly fall within the GFSZA exception.

"My Texas LTC works in every state."

Texas LTC recognition varies significantly by state. Some states recognize the Texas LTC; others do not; some impose residency or age conditions. The DPS reciprocity list is the authoritative source and must be checked before each trip, as recognition status can change.

Practical Notes for Concealed Carriers in Texas

Texas's dual system — permitless carry plus an active LTC — means that two carriers with identical legal status can have meaningfully different carry rights depending on whether either holds an LTC.

The most common scenario where this matters: one person with an LTC can carry concealed inside a university building; a person without one cannot, even though both can carry on the same campus grounds outside the building.

The 30.06/30.07 sign distinction is practically important. A § 30.06 sign prohibits only LTC holders carrying concealed — a permitless carrier technically does not carry under the LTC framework and may argue § 30.06 does not apply to them directly.

However, a general trespass notice under § 30.05 can still restrict any carrier. The legal landscape around permitless carriers and § 30.06 signs remains an area where legal interpretations continue to develop.

The vehicle carry provision under § 46.02(a-1) is broad but has conditions: the handgun must not be in plain view unless in a holster, the carrier must not be engaged in criminal activity, and the carrier must not be a prohibited person. A carrier who is otherwise not permitted to possess a firearm cannot use the vehicle carry provision.

Renewal and status checks for the LTC are handled directly through the DPS portal. DPS also operates a Texas LTC Alternative Permit Status checker for law enforcement and administrative verification purposes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Texas Concealed Carry

Can you conceal carry in Texas now?

Most adults 21 and older who are not prohibited from possessing firearms may carry a concealed handgun in many public spaces in Texas without a license under Penal Code § 46.02 as amended by HB 1927, subject to statutory restrictions.

Carry in specific prohibited locations under § 46.03 — including schools, courts, polling places, and 51% alcohol establishments — remains unlawful.

Can I carry a handgun in my car in Texas without a permit?

Yes. Penal Code § 46.02(a-1) allows any lawful possessor to carry a handgun in their own vehicle or watercraft without an LTC, provided the handgun is not in plain view unless in a holster, the carrier is not engaged in criminal activity, and the carrier is not a prohibited person.

What is needed for a concealed carry permit in Texas?

To obtain a Texas LTC, you must: be at least 21 years old (with a possible DPS-administered pathway for 18–20, verify with DPS), meet all eligibility requirements under Government Code § 411.172, complete a DPS-approved 4-hour classroom or online course covering laws and safe storage, pass a written exam (80% minimum), and complete a live-fire shooting proficiency demonstration with a DPS-certified instructor. Applications are submitted to and processed by the Texas Department of Public Safety.

Can you carry a concealed firearm in Texas without a license?

Yes — in most public locations and for most eligible adults 21 and older, under HB 1927 and Penal Code § 46.02. Exceptions include campus buildings (LTC required), federal facilities, § 46.03 prohibited locations, and 51% alcohol establishments. An LTC also remains necessary for interstate reciprocity and to clearly satisfy the federal GFSZA licensing exception.

How do I renew a Texas concealed carry license?

LTC renewals are processed through the Texas DPS online portal. Renewal applications, required documents, fees, and processing timelines are managed by DPS under Texas law and DPS rules. Visit the Texas DPS Handgun Licensing page for current instructions, fees, and deadlines.

How much does a Texas concealed carry license cost?

Application and renewal fees for the Texas LTC are set by DPS and subject to change. Check the current DPS handgun licensing fee schedule directly, as the research base used for this guide does not specify current fee amounts.

 

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This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Texas concealed carry laws involve multiple interacting statutes, institutional policies, and federal overlays that can change through legislation, rulemaking, and court decisions. Always verify current statutes and regulations through the Texas Statutes or a licensed Texas attorney before making any carry decision.