Texas Gun Laws
Gun Laws Overview
RIFLES & SHOTGUNS | HANDGUNS | |
---|---|---|
Permit to Purchase | No | No |
Registration of Firearms | No | No |
Licensing of Owners | No | No |
Permit to Carry | No | No |
The list and map below are included as a tool to assist you in validating your information. We have made every effort to report the information correctly, however reciprocity and recognition agreements are subject to frequent change. The information is not intended as legal advice or a restatement of law and does not include: restrictions that may be placed on non-resident permits, individuals under the age of 21, qualifying permit classes, and/or any other factor which may limit reciprocity and/or recognition. For any particular situation, a licensed local attorney must be consulted for an accurate interpretation. YOU MUST ABIDE WITH ALL LAWS: STATE, FEDERAL AND LOCAL. Texas only honors licenses or permits of individuals who are 21 years of age or over. |
STATE STATUS | |
---|---|
Castle Doctrine | Enacted |
No-Net Loss | No Legislation |
Right to Carry Confidentiality | Provisions Enacted |
Right to Carry in Restaurants | Partial Ban |
Right To Carry Laws | No Permit Required |
Right To Carry Reciprocity and Recognition | Conditional Recognition |
Right to Keep & Bear Arms State Constitutional Provisions | With Provisions |
Laws on Purchase, Possession and Carrying of Firearms
Antiques and Replicas
Antique or curio guns manufactured before 1899 and replicas thereof which do not use rim fire or center fire ammunition are not included in the definition of “firearm” as it is used in Texas Penal Code Title 10, Chapter 46, which governs weapons. |
Carry
A person commits an offense of unlawfully carrying a weapon if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries a handgun on or about his or her person unless the person is on one's own premise or premises under the person's control or inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle that is owned by the person or under the person's control. MORE |
Machine Guns
It is unlawful to possess, manufacture, transport, repair or sell a machine gun, explosive weapon, short-barreled firearm, or silencer. Federal registration of such an item under the National Firearms Act is a defense to this prohibition. |
Miscellaneous
A violation of the state’s firearms laws that occurs within 300 feet of a school or on premises where a school function is taking place shall result in an increased punishment. MORE |
Purchase
A Texas resident, if not otherwise precluded by law, may purchase rifles and shotguns, ammunition, reloading components, or firearms accessories in contiguous states. MORE |
Possession
No state license is required to possess a rifle, shotgun or handgun. There are restrictions on possession by a person: convicted of a felony or a Class A misdemeanor involving the person’s family or household; or subject to certain orders issued under the Family Code or Code of Criminal Procedure. |
Preemption
Tex. Local Gov't Code § 229.001 (2002) |
Monday, August 21, 2000
By H. Sterling Burnett. Gov. Ann Richards had vetoed a Right to Carry bill prior to the vote ...
Thursday, August 10, 2000
The National Center For Policy Analysis recently released a study that demonstrates the benefits of Right-to-Carry in Texas. ...
Thursday, July 20, 2000
Fort Worth, Texas, is considering a ban on gun shows. However, many local residents oppose the idea.Read Original ...
Saturday, July 1, 2000
An Altoga, Texas, property owner arrived home one afternoon to find an unfamiliar pickup truck loaded down with ...
Monday, May 1, 2000
A man armed with a shotgun and concealing his face with a bandanna entered Getachew Alemayehu's Fort Worth, ...
Thursday, March 16, 2000
The Washington Post reports on the record of Texas` Right to Carry law.Read Original at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/
Wednesday, September 22, 1999
Governor George W. Bush on September 21, 1999 announced a grant to Texas Attorney General John Cornyn for ...
Wednesday, September 1, 1999
A brazen gunman left his car idling 50 yds. from the Sulphur Springs, Texas, police station one morning, ...
Monday, March 1, 1999
When four armed robbers set their sights on Frank's & Sons Jewelers near Houston one morning, they hadn't ...
Tuesday, September 1, 1998
A Fort Worth resident managed to foil the attempted burglary of his home--remarkably, the second such intrusion in ...