Texas LTC vs. Constitutional Carry: Do You Still Need a License?
The short answer: since September 1, 2021, most adults 21 and older who can legally have a gun can carry a handgun in Texas without a license, often called permitless or constitutional carry. A License to Carry (LTC) is now optional, but it still matters. It’s recognized in about 45 other states. It can replace the federal background check when you buy a gun from a dealer. And it lets you carry in some places where unlicensed carry isn’t allowed, like concealed carry on college campuses.
What permitless carry allows
House Bill 1927 made it legal for most people 21 and older to carry a handgun in public without a license, concealed or openly, as long as they aren’t otherwise prohibited from having a firearm. The same rules apply with or without a license:
- A handgun carried openly, or partly visible, must be in a holster.
- Carrying while intoxicated away from your own property is a crime.
- You can’t carry if you’re under 21, or if you have certain convictions in the past five years, such as assault causing bodily injury, deadly conduct, terroristic threat, or disorderly conduct involving a firearm.
Why get an LTC anyway
| Situation | With an LTC | Permitless only |
|---|---|---|
| Traveling to other states | Recognized in about 45 states (DPS list) | Only where that state allows non-residents to carry without a permit |
| Buying a gun from a dealer | Can be used in place of the federal NICS background check | NICS check at the counter |
| College campuses | Concealed carry allowed, within campus rules | Not allowed |
| Hospitals, amusement parks, nursing homes, open government meetings | Allowed unless the property gives 30.06 or 30.07 notice | Not allowed |
| “No firearms” signs | Bound by 30.06 (concealed) and 30.07 (open) signs only | Also bound by 30.05 signs |
| School parking lots | May keep a handgun in your locked vehicle | Not allowed |
The LTC also shows you’ve completed state-approved training and passed a background check, and many owners value that on its own. And it costs only $40 for most applicants.
Places that are off-limits either way
Many locations bar handguns for everyone, licensed or not. These include schools and school events, polling places, courts, racetracks, the secured area of an airport, bars that get 51% or more of their income from alcohol, high school and professional sporting events, and correctional facilities. The rules are in Penal Code §46.03, and license holders get only a few specific exceptions.
Signs: 30.05, 30.06 and 30.07
- 30.06 notice bars license holders from carrying concealed.
- 30.07 notice bars license holders from carrying openly.
- 30.05 “no firearms” notice applies to people carrying without a license. License holders aren’t bound by it.
Talking to police
Texas doesn’t require you to announce that you’re carrying. But if you’re a license holder carrying a handgun and a peace officer asks for identification, you must show your driver’s license or ID and your handgun license.
Training matters either way
Permitless carry removed the license requirement, not the responsibility. Whichever path you choose, learn the law and practice safe handling. Getting your LTC with us is simple: take the state-approved Texas LTC online course, then complete your range instruction and shooting test with Nighthawk Alliance in DFW. Our online firearms courses cover carry law and the fundamentals, and a private firearms lesson builds the hands-on skills.
FAQ
Do I need a license to carry a handgun in Texas?
Not if you’re 21 or older and not prohibited from having a firearm. Permitless carry took effect on September 1, 2021. A License to Carry is optional but adds real benefits.
Is it worth getting a Texas LTC with constitutional carry?
For many people, yes. It’s recognized in about 45 states, can replace the background check when you buy a gun from a dealer, allows concealed carry on college campuses and in some other places, and costs $40 for most applicants.
Do “no guns” signs apply to me?
It depends on the sign and whether you’re licensed. 30.06 and 30.07 signs apply to license holders. 30.05 signs apply to people carrying without a license.
Do I have to tell police I’m carrying?
Not unprompted. If you’re a license holder carrying and an officer asks for ID, you must show your ID and your handgun license.
Photo credits
- Header: Photo: Martin1998cz, CC BY-SA 3.0
