NorthEast Texas LTC!

Yes. You must take the 4-6 hour class taught by a DPS certified instructor. The notification of completion form (CHL-100) you receive from the instructor must be sent to DPS with your other application materials.

If you currently have a license to carry from a state other than Texas, you may be able to keep the state’s license from your previous address (check state’s laws to make sure). If you are able to keep the license, it will now most likely be considered a non-resident license.

Texas doesn’t allow other state licenses to be “transferred” to Texas. You must apply for a Texas LTC, which includes the requirement to take a class with a Texas Qualified LTC Instructor.

Applicants for an original (first-time) LTC should submit an online application, and schedule an appointment for fingerprinting. Applicants must also complete four to six hours of classroom training, pass a written examination and pass a proficiency demonstration (shooting).

The classroom instruction must cover the four (4) statutory required topics and may be a four to six hour course:

• Laws that relate to weapons and the use of deadly force,
• Handgun use and safety, including use of restraint holsters and methods to ensure the secure carrying of openly carried handguns,
• Non-violent dispute resolution,
• Proper storage practices for handguns with an emphasis on storage practices that eliminate the possibility of accidental injury to a child.

Training material related to the safe storage of handguns may be found on Safe Storage (PDF).

An applicant may attend LTC classroom training and demonstrate handgun proficiency (shooting) with a Texas Qualified LTC Instructor, or

An applicant may receive LTC online training (classroom only) through an Approved Online Course Provider who has been approved in Texas. After, successfully passing the online classroom portion, an applicant must attend 1-2 hours of range instruction class and demonstrate handgun proficiency (shooting) with a Texas Qualified LTC Instructor.

Yes, if you have successfully completed classroom and handgun proficiency training with a Qualified LTC Instructor, you will be provided a Certificate of Training (LTC 100) form or

If you have successfully completed your online classroom only training with an Approved Online Course provider, you will receive an Online/Handgun Proficiency Training (LTC 101) form; however, you must take the LTC 101 form to a Qualified LTC Instructor to complete your handgun proficiency training.

Once all training has been successfully completed, you may upload the LTC 100 or LTC 101, by visiting RSD.

Texas Government Code Chapter 411, Subchapter H sets out the eligibility criteria that must be met. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age (unless active duty military) and must meet Federal qualifications to purchase a handgun. A number of factors may make individuals ineligible to obtain a license, such as: felony convictions, some misdemeanor convictions, including charges that resulted in probation or deferred adjudication; certain pending criminal charges; chemical or alcohol dependency; certain types of psychological diagnoses, and protective or restraining orders. The state eligibility requirements can be found in GC §411.172. The federal firearms disqualifiers can be found in 18 USC 44 §922.

You must also submit a completed application, pay the required fees, complete all required training and submit required supplemental forms and materials.

DPS will make every effort to issue your license within 60 days of receiving the completed application packet. If the application is incomplete or requires additional information to complete the background check, you will be notified in writing.

Initial licenses are valid for four years. Renewal licenses are valid for five years.

NOTE: License may be subject to an earlier expiration based on lawful presence status.

Not necessarily. You may legally demonstrate handgun proficiency with a borrowed or rented handgun.  If you borrow a handgun and are transporting it to the class/range: The handgun must be concealed (unless you have a license that is recognized by Texas, in which case it must be in a belt/shoulder holster). During the class, the firearm must be left in your vehicle or brought into the classroom (only if cased and unloaded).

Your instructor will also rent a 9mm handgun for $25/per person for the range qualification, advanced notice is required and the rental fee must be paid prior to class day.  If you are renting a handgun from your instructor, you will need to bring 50 rounds of 9mm ammo.  If you don’t have ammo, you may purchase ammo for $30/per 50 rounds.

You can begin carrying your handgun upon receipt of the physical license.

Concealed means that the weapon cannot be visible, and that its presence cannot be discernible through ordinary observation. It is a criminal offense for a license holder to carry a handgun in plain view, or to intentionally fail to conceal the weapon.

As of January 1, 2016 Texas is an open carry state. A License to Carry (LTC) is still required to carry a handgun openly or concealed in public, in some instances conceal carry may be the only option and businesses need to have legal and correct signage. Know your rights and know the laws.

A license holder (or Texas Constitutional Carry person) may carry a handgun anywhere in Texas that is not expressly prohibited by law. Those prohibitions appear in several provisions of the Texas Penal Code.

NOTE: It is the person’s responsibility to remain informed and knowledgeable of new laws.

For example, §46.035, Texas Penal Code prohibits carrying of handguns and other weapons:

• 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; such premises are required to post notices under Texas GC §411.204;
• On the premises where a high school, collegiate, or professional sporting or interscholastic event is taking place;
• On the premises of a correctional facility;
• On the premises of a hospital or nursing home if effective notice of prohibition is given per Penal Code Chapter 30 (unless the licensee has written authorization); such premises also are required to post notices under Texas GC §411.204;
• In an amusement park (if effective notice of prohibition is given per Penal Code Chapter 30);
• At any meeting of a governmental entity (if the meeting is subject to the Texas Open Meetings Act per Government Code Chapter 551, and effective notice of prohibition is given per Penal Code Chapter 30);
• On the premises of State Hospitals (in accordance to Health and Safety Code, Chapter 552, and effective notice of prohibition is given per Penal Code Chapter 30).

In addition, §46.03, Texas Penal Code specifically prohibits handguns in the following locations:

• On the physical premises of a school, grounds or buildings on which an activity sponsored by a school is being conducted, or in a school transportation vehicle;
• On the premises of a polling place on the day of an election or while early voting is in progress;
• On the premises of any government court or court offices (unless the licensee has written authorization from the court);
• On the premises of a racetrack;
• In or into a secured area of an airport; or
• Within 1,000 feet of premises designated as a place of execution on the day a sentence of death is set to be imposed.

With respect to possession in motor vehicles or watercraft, Penal Code Section 46.02 provides that a person may possess a handgun in his or her motor vehicle or watercraft so long as the handgun is concealed and the person is not:

• Engaged in criminal activity, other than a Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance regulating traffic or boating;
• Prohibited by law from possessing a firearm; or
• A member of a criminal street gang, as defined by Penal Code Section 71.01.

The requirement that the weapon be concealed does not apply to a person licensed under the License to Carry a Handgun statute who is carrying the handgun in a holster.

Be advised that Sections 46.02, 46.03 and 46.035 provide numerous exceptions and defenses to prosecution that may apply and should be carefully reviewed.

Yes. If a peace officer reasonably believes a safety risk exists, he/she may temporarily disarm you. Be courteous and non-confrontational and follow directions IMPLICITLY!

Most likely the firearm will be checked to see if it has been reported stolen.  Upon completion of the traffic/Terry stop, your firearm will be most likely returned to you (as long as you are FREE to go).

Yes.

Private property owners may exclude Texas Constitutional Carry [TCC] from carrying both concealed and openly on their property by giving the TCC effective notice as provided in Section 30.05, Texas Penal Code.

Private property owners may exclude license holders from carrying concealed handguns on their property by giving the license holder effective notice as provided in Section 30.06, Texas Penal Code.

Private property owners may exclude license holders from carrying openly on their property by giving the license holder effective notice as provided by Section 30.07, Texas Penal Code.

Private property owners may exclude ALL firearms (open or concealed) from both licensed and unlicensed persons on their property by giving the person effective notice as provided by Section 46.03, Texas Penal Code.

For the purpose of these four statutory sections, the owner of the property or someone with apparent authority to act for the owner may provide effective notice.