Texas Gun Permit: Laws, Costs, Restrictions, & FAQs
Are you wanting to find out How to Get a Gun License in Texas?
Texas issues a license to carry firearms for the possession of guns and other similar weapons in the state.
To apply, you have to comply with all requirements provided by Texas pistol permit license law.
Texas Gun Permit Summary
Texas is a shall-issue state for the application of gun license including a Handgun License, and the Department of Public Safety (DPS) is the agency charge of the processing them.
The State of Texas does not issue gun purchase permits.
How To Get A Gun Permit In Texas? / How to Get a Gun License in Texas
Texas issues permits to residents and non-residents of the state that are twenty-one years old or more, without a prohibition for the possession of firearms.
Example: A convicted felon which is prohibited from possessing a firearms can not apply for a Concealed Handgun License
The Texas License to Carry / Concealed Handgun License is for both open and Concealed Carry.
Texas Gun Permit Laws
You can open carry in Texas. However, open carry in Texas is not legal in every location of the state. It is prohibited to open carry in places like schools, or buildings that have posts forbidding the possession of firearms on their premises.
Texas prohibits the manufacturing, selling, repair, or possession of assault weapons lie machine guns except those that have the firearms federally registered.
Texas Pistol Permit Requirements
The requirements to apply for pistol permits in Texas, provided by gun laws of the state include the following:
- 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 the permit application.
- You must meet all federal and state qualifications to possess firearms.
- According to an attorney general in the state, if required, must agree to pay the necessary fee for child support.
- 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 permit.
Different Types Of Gun Permits In Texas
A summary of firearms permits issued in Texas includes the following:
- State permits to conceal carry handguns: Texas issues a pistol permit to conceal carry handguns in the state.
- State permit to open carry: Texas is a licensed open carry state.
- State permits to purchase handguns: Texas does not issue a state permit to purchase handguns.
- State permit to purchase long guns: Texas does not issue a state permit to purchase long guns.
How Much Does It Cost To Get A Gun License In Texas?
How to Get a Gun License in Texas. The initial and renewal permit application costs forty dollars in Texas. However, for military veterans that are honorably discharged from duty, the cost is twenty-five dollars for both permits. Active Duty Military and various State Government Employees have no handgun licensing costs.
Gun Permits Application And Renewal Law In Texas
The process to apply for gun permits Texas are:
Complete Firearm Training
You must first enroll for a Texas DPS Approved Firearms Training class. Ours at Conceal Carry Academy is 100% DPS Approved and can be taken online, self-paced, any device, and from the comfort of your home if you want.
Also, the training must meet all the requirements for Concealed Carry in the State of Texas.
In Texas, you will have to complete a range familiarization (Certain persons are exempt from the range portion including Military and Veterans that can prove rifle/pistol familiarization through a range card, Etc.
Download Application
Download the application from Texas DPS’s online portal and complete it.
Take Fingerprints
Have your fingerprint taken, this will be done more in likely through Indigo unless instructed otherwise to have them completed at local County Sheriff.
Going through the application process will advise you what must be done.
Submit The Application
Submit your application together with your firearm training certificate to the Texas Department of Public Safety.
You can also mail the application to them.
Receive Mail Notification
You will get a notification about your approved application after the processing period about 60 Sixty Days.
For the permit renewal process, you will receive a notification reminding you about the application at least six months before the expiry date. You can apply anytime within this period.
If this period elapses, you can no longer renew, and your permit will become invalid. You have to apply for a new one.
Gun Permit Reciprocity In Texas
Texas has agreements with 37 States.
Relevant Gun Laws Permits And Legislature In Texas
Texas pistol permit requirements relating to the possession of firearms in the state include the following:
Possession Of Firearms In Private Vehicles Of The State
Yes, you can possess firearms in your vehicle, but there are different ways to do so with and without a permit.
With a License to Carry – Concealed Carry, the firearms should be either in a holster on your belt or shoulder.
However, if you do not have a license, make sure that you conceal the firearm in the vehicle.
Note that those that are prohibited from the possession of firearms cannot carry it in a private vehicle.
[Tex. Pen. Code § 46.02(a-1)]
Possession Of Firearms In Roadside Areas
You can possess firearms in roadside areas of the state as long as you have a Texas gun license or one from a state that it reciprocates.
Possession Of Firearms In State Parks, Forests, And Wildlife Management Areas
You can possess firearms in these places if you have a texas pistol permit or anyone from a state that it recognizes.
The only exception to this is that there is a prohibition for the possession of firearms in the lower Colorado River and the Murvaul lake located in Panola County.
Other places where you cannot possess firearms include.
- Riverbeds owned by the state in LaSalle county
- Riverbeds owned by the state in McMullen County
- Land and water areas in Bee County
- Riverbeds owned by the state in Live Oak County
[Texas Parks and Wild. Code § 82.722];
[Texas Parks and Wild. Code § 82.732];
[Texas Parks and Wild. Code § 82.762].
Possession Of Firearms In Restaurants And Bar Areas Of The State
According to the gun law, [Tex. Pen. Code § 46.035(b)(1)], you can only Conceal Carry in the restaurant areas if you have a pistol permit, except there is a post prohibiting the possession of firearms.
Possession Of Firearms In Hotels
Texas gun laws, [Tex. Pen. Code §§ 30.06 and 30.07], allow private property and business owners in the state to be able to regulate the possession or handling of firearms within their premises. It is lawful to make use of signage for this purpose too.
Therefore, hotels can come up with gun laws for the regulation of firearms in their facilities, and you should visit their websites for more information on this.
Possession Of Firearms In Employee Parking Lots
It is unlawful for employers to prohibit a legal employee that can possess firearms from storing his or her gun in a vehicle parked in the garage, parking lot, or any other place designated for vehicles within the premises.
However, it is compulsory that the firearms are entirely out of sight in the vehicles.
The only exemption for this law is oil and gas refineries in the state.
[Tex. Labor code § 52.061]
If you have any questions or guidance regarding How to Get a Gun License in Texas, please reach out and contact us.
Texas License to Carry Class
The Texas License to Carry Online Class is the perfect way to earn your permit to carry a concealed weapon in Texas. This comprehensive online course covers all the topics required by the State of Texas.
Course Provider: Organization
Course Provider Name: Conceal Carry Academy
Course Provider URL: https://concealedcarryintexas.com/single-class-page/
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