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Texas has a shall-issue policy for concealed carry permits in the state, issued by the Department of Public Safety.

Permits application is open to both residents and non-residents of the state, as long as all the requirements to carry are met.

There are no purchase permits, but you can still use the license to purchase firearms in the state.

You must know about all gun laws in the state if you intend to conceal carry without breaking any of them.

Texas Gun Laws

As a resident of Texas, you can conceal carry with a License To Carry, the state’s CCW permit

Non-.residents, on the other hand, can only conceal carry if they have a license from states that Texas reciprocates, but they are also open to CCW application in the state.

To apply for Texas LTC, you must be at least twenty-one years old, or eighteen years old if you are a member of the military posted to the state.

Permits are also available for honorably discharged military members.

There is also a Texas concealed carry permit class requirement for firearm training.

After this, you will undergo a written examination and demonstrate your firearm expertise.

Texas Concealed Carry Permit Requirements

Texas will only accept a CCW permit from states that meet specific criteria for concealed carry.

Aspects of its reciprocity deal include the following:

  • States that Texas will accept their CCW permits: Texas has reciprocity with these states since they meet certain requirements for concealed carry that is acceptable in Texas. You can conceal carry in Texas with any CCW permit issued by these states.
  • States that will accept a Texas CCW permit: As a resident of Texas or a non-resident that has Texas CCW permit, you can conceal carry in these states. There are eighteen of them.
  • States that have restricted reciprocity with Texas: Texas issues both residents and non-residents permits, but these states will only accept a license tagged residents only. There are five of them.
  • States that have a permitless policy: You do not need any CCW permit to conceal carry in these states. The only requirements are that you must meet the minimum age to conceal carry, and you must obey all permitless carry restrictions provided by the state. There are fourteen of them.

Make sure that you understand gun laws of a state if you intend to conceal carry within its territory. This way, you will not get into a problem with law enforcement agencies.

Location Restriction For CCW In Texas

Even if you have a Texas CCW permit, you cannot conceal carry or brandish your firearm everywhere in the state.

There are some location restrictions for the possession of firearms in Texas, and these places are off-limit for anyone with a gun.

The only exceptions to these are law enforcement officers and peace officers.

Texas interprets this law seriously, hence so as not to be found guilty, you need to be aware of places where you can conceal carry in the state and areas where you can’t.

Places Where You Cannot Conceal Carry In Texas

  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in any area of a university that restricts the possession of firearms.
  • You cannot conceal carry in high schools and colleges, except if the firearm is encased in the vehicle, kept away from public view.
  • You cannot conceal carry in a stadium or any event center hosting a professional sporting activity in the state.
  • You cannot conceal carry in state parks.
  • You cannot conceal carry in mosques, churches, or any other place of worship.
  • You cannot conceal carry during a meeting organized by governmental bodies.
  • You cannot conceal carry in any location or building that is under use for schooling activities. This also includes vehicles used for the transportation of school students.
  • You cannot conceal carry in business ventures where the sale of alcohol is responsible for more than half of their income. These businesses must have signage prohibiting the possession of firearms on their premises.
  • You cannot conceal carry in a hospital or any health care center.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in prisons, criminal detention facilities, and correctional facilities.
  • You cannot conceal carry anywhere in Texas if you are under the influence of alcohol or any other intoxicating substance.
  • You cannot conceal carry if you are a member of a local gang or you are involved in illegal activities.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in any place where the execution of a criminal that is sentenced to death is taking place. The closest you can be with your firearm in these places is one thousand feet.
  • You cannot conceal carry in a court or offices that are used for court activities.
  • You cannot conceal carry in polling units on election dates.
  • You cannot conceal carry in secured locations of an airport.
  • You are not allowed to conceal carry in any private property or building that has a post restricting the possession of firearms on the premises.
  • You cannot conceal carry in business places except if you have your firearm locked away in your car, or you have permission from the employer to do so.
  • You cannot conceal carry in places restricted by federal laws.

Places Where You Can Conceal Carry In Texas

You are not prohibited from the possession of firearms in these places of circumstances in Texas.

  • Restaurants and Bars: If this is a joint venture, you can only conceal carry in the restaurant area as long as it does not have a post prohibiting the possession of firearms. However, you cannot conceal carry in bar areas.
  • Private vehicle: You can conceal carry in your private car even without a Texas CCW permit.
  • State and National forests: You can conceal carry in forests, as well as Wildlife Management Areas.

Conceal Carry For Law Enforcement Officers In Texas

In every jurisdiction of the USA, law officers are allowed to conceal carry without any location restriction or limitations by state or local laws.

This law is according to the Law Enforcement Officers Safety Act that provides standards to conceal carry for active officers and retired officers.

In Texas, active and retired officers that already have LEOSA qualifications do not have to apply for the state LTC.

Retired officers that want to conceal carry in the state must first attest to a statement provided by the head of the agency from where he/she retired.

Retired officers will also provide proof or retirement, as well as an application to conceal carry as per the standards provided by LEOSA.

The body responsible for the training and certification is the Texas Commission Law Enforcement.

The training is an annual program, and only a certified firearm instructor can conduct it.

Law enforcement officers that must meet up with LEOSA standard in the state include:

  • Peace officer under the employment of a law enforcement agency.
  • Armed forces, including national guards from Texas that posted to other states in the USA.
  • Retired officers that were active in service for least a fifteen-years.
  • Officers under the state’s department of criminal justice.
  • Federal attorneys and their assistants, as well as attorneys that are chosen for prosecution in the state.

Buying And Selling Of Firearms In Texas

One crucial aspect of gun laws in every state is the aspect of dealing with firearms.

You must know the laws that govern the sales, purchase, transportation and transferring of firearms in a state you intend to conceal carry.

Purchase Permits And Handgun Registration In Texas

Texas does not issue any purchase permit for the buying of firearms in the state. There is also no handgun registration.

The only requirement to complete firearm purchases in the state is the criminal record background check.

Criminal Record Background Check In Texas

You must undergo a criminal record background check before buying a firearm from a licensed dealer in the state. Also, all other requirements must be duly met.

However, with your Texas license to carry, you will not have to undergo a background check.

Note that it is important to keep your sales receipt in case you have to claim ownership of your firearm at any point in time.

Waiting Period For Buying Firearms In Texas.

There is no waiting period to complete the sales of firearms in the state.

Age Requirement For The Possession Of Firearm In Texas

To possess or transport a firearm in Texas, you must meet the minimum age requirement of eighteen.

Possession Of Firearm On Private Properties

You do not require a Texas license to carry before you possess a firearm in your building or its premises.

This includes your place of business, any property you own, or even your recreational vehicle.

Castle Doctrine In Texas

Texas has a stand your ground policy for castle doctrine.

This means that in a situation whereby you use reasonable or justifiable force for self-defense, to stop an illegal break-in or an intrusion into your home of residence, castle doctrine law will protect you.

Places, where you are protected by castle doctrine in Texas, includes the following:

  • Homes.
  • Vehicles.
  • Business places.

Note that castle doctrine does not take effect in any detached structure, as this is not considered as a habitation.

Castle doctrine will also not protect you if you are not in any of the places mentioned above. Therefore, in other situations, there is a duty to retreat.

Texas CCW Permit Requirements

Texas concealed carry permit requirements are fundamental before you apply for the license to carry.

It is not enough that you know these requirements, you must meet all of them if you want an accepted CCW permit application.

The requirements are:

  • You must reside legally in Texas for at least six months, or if you are a new resident, you must establish residency in the state.
  • You must be at least twenty-one years old or eighteen years old if you are a member of the United States Armed Forces. Out of service officers must also be honorably discharged from duty.
  • You must not be a felon.
  • You must not be guilty of any class A or class B misdemeanor charge, or under any form of an indictment.
  • You must not be a fugitive or have an arrest warrant in your name.
  • You must not be intoxicant dependent.
  • You must be knowledgeable on how to handle a firearm and the proper storage of firearms.
  • You must not be a convict for any misdemeanor charge five years before Texas concealed carry permit application.
  • You must meet all federal and state qualifications to possess firearms.
  • You must agree to pay the necessary fee for child support, according to an attorney general in the state.
  • You must be a taxpayer in Texas, or pay any other comptroller fee levied by the state, a municipality or a county.
  • You must not have any restriction or a protective order from the court that has to do with spousal relationship, and also a restraining order for properties.
  • All documents you submit for processing a license to carry must be original without any forgery or misinterpretation.
  • You must meet all federal law requirements for applying for a CCW permit.

How To Apply For CCW Permits In Texas

If you meet all the requirements for Texas License to Carry, you can proceed with the application.

The application procedure includes the following:

Complete A Firearm Training

You must first enroll for a Texas concealed carry permit class for firearm training. This is an essential criterion for application.

It could also be a Texas concealed carry permit online course, as long as a state-certified instructor is in charge of the training.

Also, the training must meet all the requirements for concealed carry in the state.

In Texas, you will also sit for a proficiency exam online and demonstrate your firearm expertise physically.

Download Application

Download the application from an online portal and complete it.

Take Fingerprint

Have your fingerprint taken, and note that you must submit this via L-1 Enrollment Services. This may carry extra charges.

Submit The Application

Submit your application together with your firearm training certificate to the Department of Public Safety.

You can also mail the application to them.

Receive Mail Notification

You will be notified about your approved application after the processing period.

Texas Concealed Carry FAQs

Here are some of the concealed carry Texas most frequently asked questions.

For How Long Will My Texas CCW Permit Last?

The permit is valid for five years, after which you have to apply for a renewal permit.

How Much Is Texas CCW Permit Application?

Application for both renewal and initial permits cost forty dollars. However, military veterans pay twenty-five dollars for both.

How Long Will It Take Me To Get My CCW Permit In Texas?

The processing period for CCW permits in Texas is sixty days.

When Can I Apply For CCW Permit Renewal In Texas?

You can apply for the CCW permit six months before it expires, and you have a grace of twelve months after it expires.

Additional Resources

Texas Gun Laws
Texas Open Carry Laws
Texas Gun Permit Laws

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