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, June 1, 1996
The man strode into the Conroe, Texas, trailer company, walked to the office and pointed a gun at ...
Wednesday, May 1, 1996
Perry and Debra Jones were in bed in their Waller, Texas, home when a burglar wearing surgical gloves, ...
Thursday, February 1, 1996
Forced to the back of a Houston, Texas, pawnshop by one of two armed robbers, Thomas Perez drew ...
Sunday, October 1, 1995
Emerging from the darkness of a Dallas, Texas, night, the carjacker laid the 7" butcher knife against the ...
Saturday, July 1, 1995
An 82-year-old East Dallas, Texas, man one-upped an assailant one-fourth his age during an attempted robbery, giving the ...
Wednesday, March 1, 1995
Jimmy Kirkpatrick thought it might be friends knocking at the door of his Dallas, Texas, apartment at 2 ...
Sunday, May 1, 1994
Returning home one evening, a Garland, Texas, woman was set upon by an armed robber in her driveway. ...
Friday, April 1, 1994
In the finest tradition of armed citizens who take on crime in their communities, Texan Travis Neel helped ...
Friday, October 1, 1993
NRA-certified shooting instructor Greg Ferris drew from the lessons he usually teaches when three armed gang members invaded ...
Friday, October 1, 1993
Houston has seen a rash of break-ins in which criminals pose as police. So Jack Idlett didn't believe ...