Concealed Carry in Texas

Yes. Since 2021 the unlawful-carrying offense applies only to people who carry a handgun while younger than 21, or who have certain recent convictions (assault causing bodily injury, deadly conduct, terroristic threat, or certain disorderly conduct involving firearms within the past five years), or who are prohibited from possessing a firearm. So a person 21 or older who is not disqualified may carry a handgun, concealed or openly in a holster, without a license. A person under 21 may carry without a license only on their own premises or in or directly en route to their own vehicle or watercraft. Carrying while intoxicated (outside one's own property or vehicle) is an offense.

The License to Carry a Handgun (LTC), issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety. It is shall-issue: the department 'shall issue a license' to an applicant who meets the eligibility requirements and submits the application materials. Statutory minimum age is 21, or 18 for a member or honorably discharged veteran of the armed forces, reserves or National Guard; in Firearms Policy Coalition v. McCraw (N.D. Tex., Aug. 25, 2022) a federal court held the law 'must therefore be enjoined to the extent that law-abiding 18-to-20-year-olds are prohibited from applying for a license to carry a handgun.' Training: a handgun proficiency course with a classroom part of not less than four and not more than six hours (may be given online by an approved provider) and a range part with a shooting demonstration. Application and license fee: $40. A first license expires on the holder's first birthday after the fourth anniversary of issuance; a renewed license runs five years. Residents of other states can obtain a nonresident license.

By statute, a valid license to carry a handgun issued by any other state is recognized in Texas. The Department of Public Safety's reciprocity list shows every state as either 'Reciprocal' (each recognizes the other's license) or 'Unilateral' (Texas recognizes that state's license, e.g. Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, Rhode Island); the governor negotiates agreements where another state requires one.

Firearms are banned (with listed exceptions) on the premises of schools and school buses and at school-sponsored activities (license holders may carry concealed at colleges, subject to campus rules); polling places on election day and during early voting; courts and court offices; racetracks; secured areas of airports; near an execution site on execution day after notice; bars and other businesses earning 51% or more of income from on-premises alcohol sales; high school, college and professional sporting events; correctional and civil-commitment facilities; licensed hospitals, nursing facilities and mental hospitals (without written authorization); amusement parks; and rooms where a noticed open government meeting is held. License holders may also be barred from private property by a sign under § 30.06 (concealed) or § 30.07 (open carry), or by oral notice.

Anyone not prohibited from possessing a firearm may carry a handgun inside of, or directly en route to, a motor vehicle or watercraft they own or control, even if under 21 and without a license. In the vehicle the handgun may not be in plain view unless the person is 21 or older or holds a license and the handgun is in a holster; it is also an offense while engaged in criminal activity (other than a Class C traffic or boating violation) or while prohibited from possessing a firearm. No locking or unloading requirement appears in the statute.