Open carry is legal in Texas with a Texas Concealed Handgun License or a permit issued by another state that Texas recognizes.
When open carrying in Texas, the firearm must be in a belt or shoulder holster. If only part of the firearm is visible then it is considered being carried openly.
To get a permit, you must be at least 21 years of age; or at least 18 if you are a member or veteran of the US Armed Forces, Reserves or National Guard or was discharged under honorable conditions.
Open carrying in a vehicle is only legal if you have a Texas Concealed Handgun Licenses or a permit issued by another state that Texas Recognized. The firearm must be in a shoulder holster or belt holster. But anyone traveling in Texas can carry a a loaded handgun in their vehicle but it must be concealed and the person cannot be engaged in criminal activity. Loaded long guns may be carried anywhere in the vehicle.
The following are off-limited when carrying an open or concealed weapon in Texas:
§46.035, Texas Penal Code prohibits carrying of handguns and other weapons in certain places. These include but are not limited to:
- 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
- On the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting or interscholastic event is taking place
- On the premises of a correctional facility
- On the premises of a hospital or nursing home (unless licensee has written authorization)
- In an amusement park
- On the premises of a church, synagogue, or other place of worship
- At any meeting of a governmental entity
§46.02, Texas Penal Code and §46.03, Texas Penal Code also specifically prohibit handguns or weapons under other circumstances and from other locations other than those listed above. For example: It is against Texas law to carry a concealed handgun if the person has the handgun in plain view; or if the person is engaged in a criminal activity (other than a Class C traffic offense); or if prohibited from possessing a firearm, or is a member of a criminal street gang. Some other areas where weapons are prohibited include the premises of polling places on the day of an election or during early voting, the premises of any government court, the premises of a racetrack, in a secured area of an airport or within 1,000 feet of premises designated as a place of execution on the day a sentence of death is set to be imposed.
For concealed carry information, visit our Texas Concealed Carry page.
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