Every other year (appropriately, the odd years), the Texas Legislature meets and laws change. Recently, we have been fortunate
to see mostly positive changes in the LTC (License To Carry) laws. Below are the highlights relevant to the LTC. Please feel
free to Contact Us with any questions you may have. (Click the Bill Number to read the actual law.)
All Relevant Laws Now In Effect
(Details below for previous Sessions 87R, 86R, 85R and 84R)
From the 87th Regular Session (2021) of the Texas Legislature:
- 87(R) Overall (effective 01 Sep 2021):
- 87(R) HB781
Removes requirement that public junior college school marshals lock up their firearms;
- 87(R) HB918
Makes a person 18 to 21 with a protection order eligible for a LTC;
- 87(R) HB957
"Suppressor Protection": Makes firearm supressors made in Texas exempt from federal regulations;
- 87(R) HB1407
Allows unconcealed carry of handguns in motor vehicles by licensee in a holster;
- 87(R) HB1500
Prohibits restricting firearm businesses, including ranges and gun shops, because of a disaster;
- 87(R) HB1927
"Firearm Carry Act of 2021" - Constitutional or Permitless Carry:
Persons 21 years or older, not prohibited from possessing a handgun,
can carry without a license. Retains the LTC;
- 87(R) HB2112
Removes "belt or shoulder" requirement, allows open carry in any holster;
- 87(R) HB2622
"2A Sanctuary State": Bans state officials from enforcing Federal gun laws stricter than Texas laws;
- 87(R) HB2675
DPS must expedite LTCs for persons with protective orders or other proof of danger within 10 days;
- 87(R) SB162
Makes it an offense to make a false or misleading statement during a NICS check;
- 87(R) SB313
Removes sales and use tax from gun safes, boxes or locks;
- 87(R) SB550
Removes "belt or shoulder" requirement, allows open carry in any holster; and,
- 87(R) SB741
Allows schools to set school marshal handgun carry or storage policy.
From the 86th Regular Session (2019) of the Texas Legislature:
- 86(R) Overall (effective 01 Sep 2019):
- 86(R) HB121
Creates defense to prosecution for LTC Holder who promptly departed when
given notice by oral communication (Sec 30.06 and Sec 30.07, PC);
- 86(R) HB302
Prohibits landlords from restricting tenants and their guests from
possessing firearms and ammunition (Sec 30.05, Sec 30.06 and Sec 30.07, PC);
- 86(R) HB1143
Prohibits school districts from regulating the transportation or storage
of a firearm or ammunition by a handgun license holder in a school parking area (Sec 37.0815(a), EC);
- 86(R) HB1177
Allows carrying a handgun while evacuating or reentering during a state of disaster (Sec 46.15, PC);
- 86(R) HB1552
Relating to firearms training for, weapons proficiency of, and carrying of a firearm
by county jailers and qualified retired law enforcement officers;
- 86(R) HB1791
Provides that a state agency or political subdivision of this state may not take any action
to prohibit a LTC holder from the lawful carrying of a handgun on the premises
or other place owned or leased by that governmental authority;
- 86(R) HB2137
Waives the fee for a LTC application for retired peace officers and retired federal officers;
- 86(R) HB3706
Waives the fee for a LTC application for active and retired Railroad Peace Officers and
Special Rangers of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association;
- 86(R) HB4428
Changes the expiration date for a LTC to reflect the expiration of
the license holder's lawful presence in the United States; and,
- 86(R) SB535
Removes the prohibition against carrying in a place of religious worship
(Place of religious worship may still post notice under Sec 30.06 or Sec 30.07, PC).
From the 85th Regular Session (2017) of the Texas Legislature:
- 85(R) Overall (effective 01 Sep 2017):
- 85(R) HB435
Creates ability of a State Hospital to deny carry by LTC Holder, and
Creates new sign to inform LTC Holders of prohibition (Sec 552.002, HSC);
- 85(R) HB1935
Redefines "illegal knife" to "location-restricted knife" as a blade of over 5.5"
(we can now carry a long blade, except in certain specific locations);
- 85(R) HB3784
Creates Approved Online Course Provider for LTC classroom portion;
- 85(R) SB16
Reduces the standard LTC Application and Renewal Fee to $40;
- 85(R) SB263
Removes the minimum caliber requirement for LTC proficiency portion;
- 85(R) SB1566
Removes the school employee exception for securing firearms on school parking; and,
- 85(R) SB1576
Adds Civil Commitment Facility (for SVPs) to list of locations for
Unlawful Carrying of Handgun by License Holder (Sec 46.035(b)).
From the 84th Regular Session (2015) of the Texas Legislature:
- 84(R) Overall:
- Changes the wording of the 30.06 Sign to address Concealed Carry ONLY;
- Creates a 30.07 Sign to address Open Carry ONLY (see below);
- 84(R) HB554
Creates a defense to prosecution if LTC holder carried into secured area of airport, but left when asked; and,
- 84(R) SB273
Creates a civil penalty for Wrongful Exclusion Of LTC Holder by a state agency or any political subdivision.
- 84(R) HB910
Open Carry (effective 01 Jan 2016):
What would seem to be self-explanatory has confused many people.
- Must have a current TX LTC or another state's equivalent license recognized by the State of Texas;
- If not concealed, firearm must be in a belt holster or shoulder holster; and,
- Unless prohibited by 30.07 Sign, can carry openly most places you can carry concealed.
- 84(R) SB11
Campus Carry (except as noted below, effective 01 Aug 2016):
Being a new law, there is naturally some confusion here as well.
- Must have a current TX LTC or another state's equivalent license recognized by the State of Texas;
- Firearm must be concealed (no open carry on campus);
- Applies only to public, 4-year Institutions (Jr Colleges effective 01 Aug 2017);
- Authorizes establishment of rules and regs regarding storage of handguns on campus;
- Requires establishment of reasonable rules and regs on carrying handguns in specific locations; and,
- Authorizes 30.06 Signage to be posted where carry of handguns is not allowed.
Please feel free to Contact Us with any questions you may have.
