Places you cannot legally carry in Texas
Texas is one of the more friendly states for carrying a handgun. However, there are still places you cannot legally carry in Texas. There are several different factors that determine where you can and cannot carry. Those locations can depend on you having a current License to Carry (LTC) or just exercising your Constitutional 2nd Amendment Rights. It also depends on what signs are in place for private businesses as well.
Before we get too far into this, we need to make sure the definition of “Premises” is clear. “Premises” means a building or a portion of a building. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area. We also need to understand that Texas has permitless or “Constitutional” carry. Any person 21 years of age and older who can legally possess a firearm under federal and Texas state law may carry a concealed firearm on his or her person without a license or permit.
Let’s start with some of the places that neither an LTC holder nor a Permitless citizen can carry concealed:
Prohibited locations that have posted Texas Penal Code § 30.06 or §46.03 sign
On the physical premises of an elementary or secondary school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which a school-sponsored activity is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, without authorization
Any Premises where a professional sporting event is taking place
On the Premises of a racetrack
Premises of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless authorized by the court
Polling places on election day or while early voting is in progress
Premises of a correctional facility
Premises of a civil commitment facility
Within 1,000 feet of any premises of a place of execution on a day that a sentence of death is set to be imposed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice
On the premises of a business that derives 51% or more of its income from the sale or service of alcoholic beverages for on-premises consumption (posted with a red sign with “51%” in large red letters superimposed over a warning that says possession of a concealed weapon on the premises is a felony.
For further information and more formal training you can enroll for an Online LTC course at Online Texas LTC Class – 12thGun LTC and Instruction
In addition to the places above a Permitless or Constitutional Carry Citizen cannot carry:
Prohibited locations posted with Texas Penal Code § 30.05 or §46.03 signs
Secured area of an airport
On premises where the possession of any concealed weapon is illegal
Premises of a hospital (including mental hospitals and nursing homes)
Premises of a permanent amusement park
In the room of an open meeting of a governmental entity
Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.
For more information on Permitless Carry in the State of Texas you can enroll in a Constitutional Carry course online at Online Constitutional Carry Class – 12thGun LTC and Instruction
****It should be noted that LTC permit holders also have the option of carrying open in places not prohibited above unless it is a prohibited location posted with Texas Penal Code § 30.07 or §46.03 signs
Y’all stay safe out there!
(This article was written on 13 April 2022 and is not meant as a substitute for legal advice. Each case and situation is different and you should consult a lawyer for the best advice. This is not a timeless article as laws are updated and change as time goes on.) Visit Handgun Licensing | Department of Public Safety (texas.gov) for the most current updates
