![]() Others, like HEB (grocery store), allow concealed carry only. Some, like Brook’s Place (a popular barbecue restaurant in suburban Houston), give a discount to diners openly carrying guns. Some businesses, including Home Depot and Kroger, have allowed open carry. Advocate groups, such as Open Carry Texas, believe that the open carry law is all about self-defense.Many other states allow permitted gun owners to open carry. Supporters of the law criticize opponents.However, it’s estimated that three-fourths of all police chiefs and two-thirds of Texas citizens wanted to expand the right to open carry in Texas.Anti-gun groups, such as Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, didn’t want the bill to become law.Others say it’s more difficult for law enforcement to identify criminals: Some people feel uncomfortable when they see another person openly carrying a handgun in a holster. You must post signs if that’s the case.Īlthough most people in Texas wanted the open carry law, those who opposed it were vocal in their dissent.Īre you facing a gun or weapon penalty in the state of Texas?Ĭontact experienced criminal defense attorney Greg Tsioros today > Why is the Open Carry Law Controversial? You have the option to choose whether to prohibit guns if you’re a business owner.You can’t open carry if you’re a personal protection officer (under Chapter 1702 of the Occupations Code) and you aren’t wearing a uniform.You can’t open carry a handgun on a public/private driveway, sidewalk, walkway, street, parking garage/area on the premises of a higher education institution.You can’t open carry at a public, private, or independent institution of higher learning, such as a college or university.You may be prevented from carrying a handgun in a local or state governmental meeting, sporting events, or on municipal property.Secured airport areas, schools, courtrooms, and polling places are some of the “gun-free zones” in the state. You aren’t allowed to carry a handgun everywhere in Texas.Some important facts about the open carry law include: Dos and Don’ts of the Open Carry LawĪbout three percent of the population in Texas (about one million people) had concealed handgun licenses in 2015. Note that the handgun must be “within an arm’s reach,” within a holster. If you don’t have a license, you must conceal the handgun. ![]() You can openly carry in your vehicle if you have an active license. He or she must have a clean psychological and criminal record, complete required classroom training and pass the shooting test. A gun owner isn’t required to apply for a new license for open carry. In order to openly carry a handgun in Texas, the individual must be at least 21 years old and have a concealed-handgun license (CHL). It’s unnecessary to conceal a handgun as it was in the past. If the holster is attached to the wearer’s belt, this meets the legal requirement of a belt holster. The law allows individuals to openly carry a handgun, either unloaded or loaded, in either a shoulder or hip holster. The law recognizes non-Texans to open carry in some instances as well. In January 2016, the open carry law, H.B. 16 had deep support from representatives and senators in Texas. Governor Dan Patrick and Senators Huffman and Nichols said the law helps Texans to exercise the Constitutional right to self-defense under the Second Amendment. NRA’s Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA) applauded Texas’ prioritization to address “License to Carry” (LTC) fees in the Lone Star State. License fees are waived for members of Texas’ military forces and law enforcement officers. The license renewal fee is also reduced to $40 from $70. 16), authored by Texas Senators Joan Huffman (R-Houston) and Robert Nichols (R-Jacksonville) lowers the fee for first-time gun license holders to $40 from $140.
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