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, November 25, 2024
Your Texas NRA-ILA Team recently attended, and competed in, the National Sporting Clays Championship at The National Shooting Complex, in San Antonio, Texas!
Friday, November 22, 2024
Last week your NRA reported on a laundry list of extreme anti-Second Amendment bills pre-filed in advance of ...
Friday, November 15, 2024
Prefiling of legislation for the 2025 Regular Session of the Texas Legislature began on Tuesday. Within the first ...
Tuesday, October 8, 2024
This week, your Texas NRA-PVF team hosted numerous events, stretching from Harlingen to San Antonio, to promote our Second Amendment ...
Friday, September 27, 2024
This week, the 15th Court of Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court upheld the firearms prohibition in Fair ...
Friday, September 20, 2024
Late Thursday, a Texas state district judge denied Attorney General Ken Paxton's (R) request for an injunction to ...
Friday, August 30, 2024
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton's office sent out the following press release late Thursday.
Tuesday, August 27, 2024
Yesterday, NRA-ILA submitted a brief (link to attached) to state Attorney General Ken Paxton as an interested party ...
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
We previously reported to you on the announcement of a new policy banning License To Carry holders from possessing firearms ...
Monday, August 12, 2024
On August 8, the State Fair of Texas announced that it is changing its weapons policy to prohibit attendees from ...