Where Can You Take Your Gun?

This chart looks simple.
Texas law is not.
Please click on the hot words for footnote information.
This is a guideline, not legal advice.
Created and updated by Larry Arnold, TxHGA Legislative Director © 2021

 

Civilian Carry of Firearms in Texas
Nonlicensed Civilian
Licensed Civilian
Long Gun
Location
Open Handgun
Concealed Handgun
Open Handgun
Concealed Handgun
Licensed/ Unlicensed
A person’s own premises or premises under their control.
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
A person’s own personal motor vehicle or watercraft.
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Routine carry in public places, and which are not posted with a PC Section 30 sign.
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Private Property          
On another person’s property, after effective ‘No unlicensed carry’ 30.05 notification.
Misd.
Misd.
Legal
Legal
Misd.
On another person’s property, after effective ‘No open carry’ 30.06 notification.
Legal
Legal
Misd.
Legal
Legal
On another person’s property, after effective ‘No concealed carry’ 30.07 notification.
Legal
Legal
Legal
Misd.
Legal
The above signs are additive, each prohibiting one method of carry, so 30.05, 30.06, and 30.07 prohibit all carry.
Misd.
Misd.
Misd.
Misd.
Misd.
The premises of a business receiving 51% of its income from serving alcohol.
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Employees at their workplace.
Policy
Policy
Policy
Policy
Policy
Employees securing firearms in private vehicles in their workplace parking lot.
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Educational Institutions          
School premises, without permission.
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Public college premises.
Felony
Felony
Felony
Legal
Felony
Private College that prohibits licensed carry and has posted 30.06, without permission.
Felony
Felony
Felony
Misd.
Felony
Within 1,000 feet of a school, without permission.
Felony
Felony
Legal
Legal
Felony
Prohibited Locations          
A room where an open meeting of a governmental entity is held.
Felony
Felony
Legal
Legal
Felony
An amusement park where 30.06 and/or 30.07 is not posted.
Misd.
Misd.
Legal
Legal
Misd.
A hospital or nursing home where 30.06 and/or 30.07 is not posted, without permission.
Misd.
Misd.
Legal
Legal
Misd.
A mental hospital, without permission.
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
A Civil Commitment Facility.
Misd.
Misd.
Misd.
Misd.
Misd.
Professional or collegiate sporting event.
Misd.
Misd.
Misd.
Misd.
Misd.
Premises of a parimutuel race track: horse or dog racing.
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Voting place, including during early voting. Don’t carry past the “No Campaigning” signs.
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
A court or office used by a court, without permission.
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Within 1,000 feet of a Texas Department of Criminal Justice place of execution on the day of an execution.
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
The secure area of an airport, inside the metal detectors.
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Federal Locations
Federal government sets its own rules on Federal property. Obey all signs and research before visiting.
Federal Facilities
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Postal Facilities
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
Felony
National Parks and Wildlife Refuges [Not including buildings and facilities].
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal
Legal

 

Persons who are not included in this chart:

  • Under Texas law, law enforcement officers and LTC-licensed judges can carry firearms almost anywhere, whether they are on or off duty.
  • On duty security officers must operate by security officer, not LTC, rules. An on-duty officer must be properly certified to carry a handgun or club. Except as provided by their written policies, they may not carry a handgun where a civilian is prohibited from carrying a long gun.
  • Under Texas law parole and probation officers, in the actual discharge of official duties and as provided by their written policies, may carry a weapon almost anywhere in the state.
  • A guard at a penal institution, in the actual discharge of official duties, may carry a handgun or club. Except as provided by their written policies, they may not carry a handgun where a civilian is prohibited from carrying a long gun.
  • Military personnel in the actual discharge of official duties may carry a handgun or club. Except as provided by their written policies, they may not carry a handgun where a civilian is prohibited from carrying a long gun.