{"id":376624,"date":"2016-03-31T21:36:52","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:36:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/texas-law\/texas-gun-control-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-11-03T12:46:09","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T17:46:09","slug":"texas-gun-control-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/texas-law\/texas-gun-control-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Texas Gun Control Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Texas Gun Control Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by John Mascolo, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last reviewed\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Gun violence can shatter the norms of any community. Texas has seen its share of mass shootings in the last several years, including the tragic loss of life at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas<\/a>, in 2022, where an 18-year-old gunman killed 19 children and two adults and injured several others.<\/p>\r\n

State officials often struggle with how to balance the rights of gun owners with concerns over public safety. As a result, state gun laws<\/a> vary greatly. Texas lawmakers generally focus on gun rights more than gun control. The state didn’t create any new gun restrictions after the Uvalde school shooting. Texas state officials instead sought to increase funds to "harden" schools<\/a> and improve safety protocols.<\/p>\r\n

Texas gun laws remain among the least restrictive in the U.S. While machine guns, sawed-off (short-barreled) shotguns and rifles, armor-piercing bullets, and zip guns are, in most cases, banned by state law, the state does not ban assault weapons. Efforts to raise the minimum age to buy assault rifles to 21 failed in the state legislature.<\/p>\r\n

Texas doesn’t have a waiting period for gun purchases. Purchases through a federally licensed gun dealer will lead to a criminal background check that verifies that the buyer can own a gun. But state law does not require a background check in a private sale.<\/p>\r\n

Federal Firearms Law<\/h2>\r\n

Although most firearms regulations are at the state level, there are key federal laws that apply nationwide.<\/p>\r\n

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives<\/a> (ATF) issues federal licenses to firearms dealers. It serves as a regulatory agency and an arm of federal law enforcement. Federal law requires the registration of certain dangerous weapons like machine guns. It also bans certain people from having firearms. For example, federal law bans convicted felons, drug abusers, those convicted of domestic violence, and those with active protection orders from owning guns.<\/p>\r\n

Texas Gun Laws<\/h2>\r\n

In 2021, the Texas legislature passed a new law approving permitless carry in Texas. Signed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the law is also known as constitutional carry. It allows a person who does not have a concealed carry license to carry a gun in public as long as they are not prohibited by state or federal law from possessing a firearm. <\/p>\r\n

In other states, including neighboring New Mexico and Colorado, the law requires a person to apply for a license, submit their fingerprints, complete firearms safety training, and pass a background check before the state authorizes them to carry a concealed weapon. In states like Texas, people operate on the honor system. If they engage in the carrying of firearms when it’s illegal, they may face prosecution at a later date.<\/p>\r\n

A federal court case in 2022 decided that young adults aged 18-to-20 in Texas can legally carry a gun, challenging the previous law that required them to be at least 21. Consequently, the Texas Department of Public Safety announced they will accept applications for gun licenses from individuals aged 18-to-20 without denying them based solely on age.<\/p>\r\n

Texas still maintains its handgun licensing program through the Texas Department of Public Safety. One benefit of getting the state’s license to carry (or LTC permit) relates to reciprocity agreements<\/a> with other states. Eligibility requirements are in the table below.<\/p>\r\n

Even with permitless carry, Texans must adhere to laws that ban firearms in certain public places. Some locations where guns are prohibited include:<\/p>\r\n