where can you carry a gun
Where Can You Legally Carry a Gun in Texas

Graham Norris

I founded Norris Legal Group to advocate for people who have been accused of a crime.

Texas might be famous for its gun-friendly culture, but don’t let that fool you into thinking you can carry anywhere, anytime, however you want. The reality is that Texas firearm laws are surprisingly complex, with specific rules about who can carry, where they can carry, and how they must carry their weapons.

Getting these rules wrong isn’t just embarrassing—it can land you in serious legal trouble. What seems like a simple question of “Can I carry my gun here?” often has a complicated answer that depends on your age, criminal history, the type of location, and even how you’re carrying the firearm. Understanding these distinctions could be the difference between exercising your rights legally and facing criminal charges.

Who Can Legally Carry a Gun in Texas

Since 2021, Texas has allowed most adults to carry handguns in public without needing a license—a significant change from previous requirements. However, this doesn’t mean everyone can carry everywhere. The state still maintains strict eligibility requirements that disqualify many people from legally carrying firearms.

Key eligibility requirements include:

  • Age Requirements: You must be at least 21 years old to carry a handgun under standard rules. However, a 2022 court decision now allows people aged 18-20 to carry handguns legally as well.
  • Clean Criminal Record: Anyone with a felony conviction that restricts firearm rights under Texas law cannot carry. Those with prior convictions should understand Texas firearm laws for felons to determine their eligibility. Certain recent misdemeanor convictions also disqualify you from carrying legally.
  • No Legal Restrictions: You cannot carry if you’re subject to an active protective order or if federal law prohibits you from possessing firearms for any other reason.
  • Sobriety Requirements: Carrying while intoxicated is illegal, though there are limited exceptions in certain specific situations.
  • Proper Carrying Method: The way you carry your firearm matters legally. Having a gun in your vehicle in plain view without it being secured in a holster can result in criminal charges, even if you’re otherwise legally allowed to possess the weapon.

Common Places and Situations: A Quick Reference Guide

When you’re out and about in Texas, you’ll encounter dozens of different locations where carrying rules might apply. While the general principle is that you can carry wherever it’s not specifically prohibited, here are the most common places people ask about:

Generally Allowed Locations:

  • Grocery stores and retail shops (unless posted otherwise)
  • Most restaurants (unless they derive more than 51% revenue from alcohol)
  • Shopping malls and outdoor shopping centers
  • Most parks and recreational areas
  • Movie theaters (unless posted otherwise)
  • Churches and places of worship (unless prohibited by the organization)
  • Gas stations and convenience stores
  • Banks (under state law, though many have corporate policies against firearms)

Often Restricted or Prohibited:

  • Hospitals (often prohibited by policy)
  • Your workplace (depends on employer policy)
  • Bars and establishments deriving 51%+ revenue from alcohol sales
  • Any location with proper signage prohibiting firearms

Where You Can and Cannot Carry Firearms in Texas

While Texas generally permits carrying firearms wherever it’s not specifically banned, the list of prohibited locations is extensive and sometimes surprising.

Always Prohibited Locations

Certain places are completely off-limits for firearms, regardless of your permit status or the property owner’s preferences. These include schools (K-12), polling places during elections, courthouses and court offices, secured areas of airports, and any federal buildings. These restrictions apply to everyone and carry serious penalties for violations.

Private Property Rules

Private property owners in Texas have broad authority to prohibit firearms on their premises. However, they must provide proper notice through specific signage that meets legal requirements or give verbal notice to individuals. The signs must be clearly visible and use specific language outlined in state law. Property owners cannot simply put up a generic “no guns” sign and expect it to carry legal weight.

Business Restrictions

Certain types of businesses are automatically prohibited places for firearms. Bars and establishments that derive more than 51% of their revenue from alcohol sales cannot allow firearms on the premises. Additionally, businesses can choose to prohibit firearms even if they’re not legally required to do so, but they must follow proper notification procedures.

Educational Institutions

The rules for schools and colleges are particularly complex. K-12 schools are generally complete no-gun zones, with very limited exceptions for specific authorized personnel. College campuses have their own set of rules that may allow certain license holders to carry in some areas while prohibiting firearms in others, such as dormitories or sporting events.

Vehicle Carry Rules

Texas has specific provisions for carrying firearms in vehicles that are generally more permissive than carrying in other locations. You can typically keep a gun in your car, but the weapon must be properly secured and not displayed in a manner that could alarm others or violate local ordinances.

How to Properly Carry Your Firearm in Texas

The method of carrying your firearm is just as important as where you carry it. Texas law distinguishes between open carry and concealed carry, with different requirements for each method.

If you’re carrying a handgun that’s visible to others, Texas law requires it to be in a holster. The law doesn’t specify what type of holster or particular features it must have—just that the weapon must be “in a holster.” This requirement applies whether you’re walking down the street or sitting in a restaurant.

Concealed carry has different rules. If your handgun is completely hidden from view, you don’t need a holster under Texas law. However, you still must meet all other eligibility requirements and follow location restrictions.

Long guns like rifles and shotguns don’t have specific carrying requirements under Texas law, but you should exercise common sense. Carrying these weapons in a way that alarms the public could result in disorderly conduct charges. Understanding what the Texas Penal Code says about firearm crimes can help you avoid unintentional violations.

Vehicle carry requires special attention to proper storage. If you’re keeping a handgun in your car where it might be visible, it must be secured in a holster. Having an unsecured weapon in plain view can result in criminal charges, even if you’re legally allowed to possess the firearm. Additionally, situations involving discharging a firearm on private property have specific legal guidelines that gun owners should understand.

It’s illegal to display any firearm in a public place in a manner intended to alarm others. This applies to all types of firearms and can result in deadly conduct with a firearm charges regardless of whether you’re legally carrying the weapon. Even situations like accidental discharge of a firearm can result in serious criminal charges if they occur in public spaces.

Remember that these laws can change, and local ordinances may sometimes impose additional restrictions beyond state requirements. What’s legal in one Texas city might have additional limitations in another, so staying informed about current laws in your specific area is essential for legal compliance.

Get Experienced Texas Firearm Defense

Despite your best efforts to follow Texas gun laws, mistakes can happen—and the consequences can be severe. Whether you’re facing charges for unlawful carry, possession in a restricted location, or any other firearm-related offense, the complexities of Texas gun laws require experienced legal representation.

At Norris Legal Group, we’ve handled over 3,600 cases and secured more than 400 dismissals because we know that behind every case is a person whose future hangs in the balance. If you’re facing firearm charges in Texas, contact us today for a consultation and let us help you protect your rights and your future.

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Meet the Attorneys

Principal Attorney Graham Norris is an award-winning defense attorney and former Tarrant County prosecutor. Graham has earned countless dismissals and not guilty verdicts on charges ranging from misdemeanor assault to felony murder. Over the past decade, Graham has been recognized by Fort Worth Magazine as a Top Attorney, Texas Monthly Super Lawyers as a Rising Star, and named to The National Trial Lawyers Top 40 Under 40. 

Kyle Fonville, Attorney Of-Counsel 

Graham Norris, Principal & Founder

Of-counsel Attorney Kyle Fonville is a trial and appellate attorney who graduated first in his class from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (now Texas A&M University School of Law). He is admitted to practice before all Texas courts, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, as well as the District Courts for the Northern, Eastern, and Western Districts of Texas.

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