Texas gun laws
Last verified November 1, 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice. Gun laws change often and vary by city and county. Verify every rule with the state's agency or statutes before you carry or travel.
Carry
- Permitless (constitutional) carry: Yes, for eligible adults 21+
- 21+ may carry a handgun without a license (Penal Code 46.02); visible carry must be holstered.
- Open carry: Handgun carry is allowed without a license for people 21 and older who are not otherwise disqualified (Penal Code 46.02(a)). Intentionally displaying a handgun in plain view in a public place is an offense unless it is carried in a holster (46.02(a-5)). Source
- Permits: Texas permit guide
Vehicle transport
Allowed in a vehicle you own or control. A handgun in plain view must be holstered and carried by someone 21 or older or a license holder (46.02(a-1)). Source
Places where carry is banned
Schools and school transportation, polling places, courts, and other places listed in Penal Code 46.03. Licensees may carry concealed at postsecondary institutions. Source
Magazines and assault weapons
- Magazine capacity limit: No statewide limit
- Assault-weapon restrictions: No statewide ban
Duty to inform
License holders only: when an officer or magistrate demands identification, a license holder carrying a handgun must show both their ID and handgun license (Gov't Code 411.205). Source
Stand your ground and castle doctrine
No duty to retreat in any place you're lawfully present (stand your ground).
Red-flag law
No extreme risk protection order law.
Reciprocity
Texas recognizes licenses from the states on DPS's reciprocity list, subject to each agreement.
The exact list isn't confirmed here. Check the destination's agency.
Sources
- www.dps.texas.gov
- www.dps.texas.gov
- giffords.org
- giffords.org
- giffords.org
- www.ncsl.org
- statutes.capitol.texas.gov
- statutes.capitol.texas.gov
Magazine, assault-weapon and red-flag lists come from Giffords Law Center summaries; stand-your-ground from NCSL. Carry, vehicle, banned-place, duty-to-inform and reciprocity details come from the state's own legislature, attorney general or state police pages.