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) |
Saturday, August 1, 1998
Just as Corpus Christi, Texas, resident Candace McLallen was about to step into the shower one afternoon, she ...
Friday, May 1, 1998
When two masked men entered a Houston, Texas, home and attacked the homeowner, his 15-year-old son grabbed a ...
Wednesday, October 1, 1997
Twelve-year-old Walter Sheehan of Odessa, Texas, awoke to the sound of noises coming from his parents' bedroom. With ...
Wednesday, October 1, 1997
Al Abel was watching television in his Buda, Texas, home when he heard the sound of breaking glass. ...
Friday, August 1, 1997
Hearing a call for help from a man whose briefcase had been stolen, Houston, Texas, District Judge Werner ...
Tuesday, July 1, 1997
Car thieves are rarely caught in the act, but that was not the case for an alleged thief ...
Sunday, June 1, 1997
A brief crime spree came to a quick end when a Houston, Texas, bandit attempted to carjack a ...
Thursday, May 1, 1997
San Antonio, Texas, restauranteur Alfonso Orestes Benitez was entering his home with his wife and daughter when two ...
Monday, July 1, 1996
The Hurst, Texas woman called her husband from the car phone to let him know that she thought ...
Monday, July 1, 1996
The robber pointed the pistol at Robert Shelton and pulled the trigger. The gun failed to fire and ...