Texas Gun Control Laws

• Unlawful Carrying Weapons - Section 46.02
• Places Weapons Prohibited - Section 46.03
• Unlawful Carrying of Handgun by License Holder - Section 46.035
• Unlawful Possession of Firearm - Section 46.04
• Prohibited Weapons - Section 46.05
• Nonapplicability - Section 46.15

• Eligibility - Section 411.172
• Nonresident License - Section 411.173
• Application - Section 411.174
• Issuance or Denial of License - Section 411.177
• Qualified Handgun Instructors and Approved Online Course Providers - Section 411.190
• Carrying of Handguns by License Holders on Certain Campuses - Section 411.2031

• Machine guns
• Short-barrel firearms
• Armor-piercing ammunition
• Zip guns

• A person convicted of a felony may not possess a firearm before the fifth anniversary of the person's release from confinement or from supervision under community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision. After five years, a person convicted of a felony only may possess a firearm at the premises where they live.
• A person convicted of some domestic violence offenses may not possess a firearm before the fifth anniversary of the person's release from confinement or from supervision.
• A person under 21 years of age who is not on his own property cannot possess a handgun

Texas prohibits the open carrying of loaded or unloaded handguns without a license to carry. However, a person with a handgun license may carry a visible handgun in a holster if they also are carrying their handgun license.

There is an exception for college campuses. In general, a person may not display a handgun, holstered or not, on a college campus (public or private, if prohibited by the private institution and notice is given).

• Is a legal resident of Texas for the six-month period preceding the application date or is eligible for a non-resident license
• Is at least 21 years old
• Has not been convicted of a felony
• Is not charged with a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or an equivalent offense, disorderly conduct, or a felony
• Is not a fugitive from justice for a felony or a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense
• Is not a chemically dependent person
• Is not incapable of exercising sound judgment with respect to the proper use and storage of a handgun
• Has not, in the five years preceding the date of application, been convicted of a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or equivalent offense or disorderly conduct
• Is fully qualified under applicable federal and state law to purchase a handgun
• Has not been finally determined to be delinquent in making a child support payment
• Has not been finally determined to be delinquent in the payment of taxes
• Is not currently restricted under a court protective order or subject to a restraining order affecting the spousal relationship, other than a restraining order solely affecting property interests
• Has not, in the 10 years preceding the date of application, been adjudicated as having engaged in delinquent conduct violating a penal law of the grade of felony
• Has not made any material misrepresentation, or failed to disclose any material fact, in an application submitted pursuant to Section 411.174

• Unlawful carrying a handgun without a license is a Class A misdemeanor punishable by up to 1 year imprisonment and up to a $4,000 fine.
• Unlawful carrying a handgun without a license at place where alcohol is sold is a felony of the third degree punishable by 2 to 10 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine.
• Possession of an illegal firearm is a felony of the third degree punishable by 2 to 10 years imprisonment and up to a $10,000 fine.
• Possession of a firearm on property with a conspicuously posted sign notifying that firearms are prohibited on the premises is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine not to exceed $200.
• Possession of a firearm on property with a conspicuously posted sign notifying that firearms are prohibited on the premises is a Class A misdemeanor if a person refuses to leave after being asked.

• Bars and other places that derive more than 51% of sales from alcohol
• School sporting events, unless the firearm is used in the event
• Correctional facility
• Civil commitment facility
• Licensed hospital, unless authorized in writing
• Licensed mental hospital, unless authorized in writing
• Amusement parks
• A room where an open governmental meeting is held if notice is provided