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) |
Sunday, August 1, 2004
When a Winnsboro, Tex., homeowner discovered a robber in his home, he told the man to leave. The ...
Sunday, August 1, 2004
When Jack Anthony Smith returned to his home in southern Cooke County, Tex., he was surprised to see ...
Sunday, August 1, 2004
When three men seeking winnings from a day at a casino carried out a home invasion in Paris, ...
Sunday, August 1, 2004
Awakened at 4 AM by the sounds of banging on the door of his Dallas, Tex., home, Karl ...
Sunday, August 1, 2004
When a man heard a pickup truck crash into a store near his Montgomery County, Tex., home, he ...
Thursday, July 8, 2004
Texas had its first mourning dove hunting season in 1918. Since then, way too many hunters, landowners, biologists ...
Tuesday, June 1, 2004
A Plainview, Texas, family was awakened about 2 a.m. by the chilling sound of someone breaking a window ...
Friday, May 7, 2004
If you have a concealed handgun license in Texas, you can now legally carry your gun in North ...
Saturday, May 1, 2004
Perry Tatsch and his wife were sleeping when a man drove his truck through a gate on their ...
Thursday, April 22, 2004
It`s official -- Texas and North Carolina have finalized a Concealed Handgun License (CHL) reciprocal agreement! Special thanks ...