Texas Concealed Carry Permit Information

Click here to view the Texas Concealed Carry Permit Map at the bottom of the page.

If you would like to contribute to this page, please post the information in the State Forums.

Concealed Permit:
Shall Issue to Residents and Non-Residents

Example Permit:

Issuing Authority:
Texas Department of Public Safety

NICS check: Yes

Cost:
For most Texans, the license will cost $140. But for senior citizens or indigent Texans, the cost is only $70. For active/honorably retired peace officers or active/retired judicial officers, the cost is $25. For elected felony prosecuting attorneys, fee is waived.

Requirements:
To qualify for a Texas CHL you must:
1. Be 21 years old. (Members and former members of the armed forces must be 18.)
2. Have a clean criminal history, including military service and recent juvenile records.
3. Not be under a protective order.
4. Not be chemically dependent.
5. Not be of unsound mind.
6. Not be delinquent in paying fines, fees, child support, student loans, etc.
7. Be eligible to purchase a handgun by completing the NICS check.
8. Complete required training.

More information on the specifics of qualifying are available on the Texas Department of Public Safety site.

Informing Law Enforcement of Carry:
If a license holder is carrying a handgun on or about the license
holder’s person when a magistrate or a peace officer demands that the
license holder display identification, the license holder shall display
both the license holder’s driver’s license or identification
certificate issued by the department and the license holder’s handgun
license. A person who fails or refuses to display the license and
identification as required by this subsection is subject to suspension
of the person’s license as provided by Section 411.187.

So basically if the LEO asks for your ID, go ahead and give him both.

Automobile carry:
A persons’ own premises or premises under their control, including in their motor vehicle. (Handguns in a vehicle must be concealed.)

Places off-limits when carrying:
Handguns and other weapons cannot be carried at schools or on school buses, at polling places, in courts and court offices, at racetracks, at secured airport areas or within 1,000 feet of the premises of an execution on the day of execution. The law also specifically prohibits handguns from businesses where alcohol is sold if more than half of their revenue is from the sale of alcohol for on premises consumption, and from locations where high school, college, or professional sporting events are taking place. You man not carry handguns in hospitals or nursing homes, amusement parks, places of worship or at government meeting if signs are posted prohibiting them. Businesses also may post signs prohibiting handguns on their premises based on criminal trespass laws. See Texas Penal Code 46.032. (Judges, prosecuting attorneys, peace officers and parole offices should consult Texas Penal Code 46.15 regarding exemptions from the “no-carry” rules of the Penal Code.)

Alcohol and Drugs:
It is unlawful for a handgun license holder to carry a handgun while intoxicated.

Deadly Force / Castle Doctrine:
Texas is a Castle Doctrine state with a stand-your-ground law.

 

Open Carry:
Prohibited in all public areas under most circumstances.

Localities with Varying Laws:

Forms:
Apply and Renew Online
Request For Application From

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  • Bigsranch

    Strangely, while you are still required to show your CHL to LEO when asked, there is no penalty if you do not – as of Sept 2009.

    Many changes are in the legislature for 2011, including allowing campus carry, and carry at sporting events.

  • Paramedicjordan

    Needs to be updated. New laws have been changed

    • Pocketdrummer

      Such as?

      Also, to the guy below, the Campus Carry bill was squashed in the TX Congress primarily by Straus.

  • Hawg06softail

    I am going to fly to Austin soon. I have a valid NY CC permit as well as Utah non-resident permit. Do I need to notify or apply for permission to bring a handgun with me?

  • Mike

    MGilley327
    On a Houston gun talk show it was stated that Texas does not honor non-resident Utah permits any longer. Is that true or do you know if that is being looked at by the State.

  • Jerry A.

    You need to update this site.  For some time now the requirement “6. Not be delinquent in paying fines, fees, child support, student loans, etc.” is no longer required.  It was always unconstitutional but they removed this a couple of years ago.

    • Glockrepair

      the only thing that changed is the student loans…The other fees such as child support still must not be delinquent so make sure you know what you are talking about when you post..

  • Greg13

    Does anyone have a non-resident permit?? The first steps in applying online is your “texas drivers license number”.. obviously, a non resident wouldnt have this.

    Also, it asks for county or township you are applying for.. as a non-resident, it wouldnt matter..

    I tried the website and the help line.. both are not in service!

    thanks fellow gun lovers

  • MrNerfnee

    Be very careful when applying for a non-resident permit.  Texas just cost me $72 because it was NOT clear that the training MUST be conducted in Texas, and the fingerprints MUST be taken in Texas as required by Federal law.  The application fee is NON-REFUNDABLE, and I have a course from Wisconsin that Texas will NOT honor.  Gotta read the FINE print, and wade through the legasese.  Sign me disgrunteled.

  • Guest

    I just ETS’d out of the military and moved to Texas, was stationed in GA, I got a GA CCW while stationed there does Texas require me to obtain a Texas CHL once I become a Texas resident or can I continue to carry with my Georgia license?

  • http://www.facebook.com/nelson.swiger Nelson Swiger Jr.

    Because anyone can now carry a concealed weapon in their car, you do not have to show our CHL when you are asked for your lic. 

    • Ronsmith

      No, Texas does NOT require you show your CHL if asked for your drivers license.  However it isn’t a bad idea to display both licenses.  Once they run your license, they will know anyway.

      Before, it was required and if you failed to do so they could take your CHL away.  That has changed now.  Kind of a Catch 22 before as you could carry in your vehicle without a CHL, so why even bother to get one because they could in theory claim you didn’t show your license.  Now, it doesn’t matter.

      • emartin

        You must show your permit if stopped only if you are carrying. If the police ask you for your DL and you are carrying then that is when you MUST show your CHL.

  • Mikey Jr.

    I have a NC CHP i am moving to TX in a couple months. Do anyone know if i have to wait the 6 months before i can switch my CHP over from NC to TX.

    • Tman54321

      no wait after residense change and obtaining Texas DL  you will have to take  classroom instruction Shooting test and prints /photos and send app to state

  • Guest

    Looks like the info is correct on Texas Permits honored, but the colors are reversed.  Red States on this map are states that DO NOT Honor Texas Permits.  The legend incorrectly shows Red as States that Honor Rexas Permits.  Anyway, I neither buy, shop, nor do business with such states, or buinesses located in them if I can avoid it.  Good site here though. 

  • Ksrh1822

    If I have my CHL permit for NC and I’m moving to TX, do I have to take the 8 hour class over again or it that transferable?

    • Tman54321

      YES

      • Tman54321

        yes to class  NON-Transferrable  All parts must be completed in texas

  • jlo0718

     can i  carry concealed in Texas with a Virginia Non-Resident Concealed Handgun
    License?

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/JF767RK7XTDJS6PBXWGKHFHM6Y Elias

      I’m from Texas, can I apply to carry a Florida concealed hand gun permit/licenses for   seven (7) years.  seven (7) years.
     I’m from Texas, can I apply to carry a Florida concealed hand gun permit/licenses for   seven (7) years.
      seven (7) years.

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/JF767RK7XTDJS6PBXWGKHFHM6Y Elias

    I’m from Texas, can I apply to carry a Florida concealed hand gun permit/licenses for   seven (7) years.