Handgun Rights Expanded Under the New TX Open Carry Law

During the 2015 legislative session, Texas passed a new law on handgun possession that will become effective January 1, 2016. Under the Open Carry Law, holders of a handgun license may lawfully carry their handguns in an open manner. The unconcealed handguns must be carried in a shoulder or belt holster.

Property owners and employers may choose to prohibit handguns (concealed or open carry) on their property. To prohibit handguns on their premises, an oral or written notice must be given to license handgun holders. A poster with language from Section 30.07 of the Penal Code must be posted to prohibit an open carry on the business premises. The text must be displayed in both English and Spanish, and appear in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height. If property owners and employers want to prohibit both concealed and open carry handguns, two posters with language from Section 30.06 and 30.07 of the Penal Code must be displayed. To purchase these posters, click here.

There are exceptions to the Open Carry Law. Open carry is not permitted by a license holder regardless of whether the handgun is holstered on the premises of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education, or any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area of an institution of higher education or private or independent institution of higher education, or by an individual who is acting as a personal protection officer under Chapter 1702, Occupations Code and is not wearing a uniform.