09/02/2021
The TEXAS FIREARM CARRY ACT of 2021 went into effect September 1, 2021.
The new law will allow any law-abiding Texan or other law-abiding citizen (regardless of the state in which he or she resides) who is at least 21 years old to open carry or concealed carry a firearm in public without needing a special permit or license. This, of course, does not apply to any individual who is prohibited by law from possessing a firearm (e.g. a felon or an individual with a conviction of domestic abuse).
The following locations are off-limits for permitless carry, under Texas Law:
■ Prohibited locations posted with Texas Penal Code § 30.05 or § 46.03 signs;
■ On the physical premises* of an elementary or secondary school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which a school-sponsored activity is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, without authorization;
■ Within 1,000 feet of a school (outside of school buildings);
■ On the premises* of an institution of higher education, any grounds or building on which a school-sponsored
activity is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of an institution of higher education;
■ Premises* where a high school, collegiate or interscholastic event is taking place;
■ Premises* where a professional sporting event is taking place;
■ Polling places on election day or while early voting is in progress;
■ Premises* of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless authorized by the court;
■ Premises* of a racetrack;
■ Secured area of an airport;
■ 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 (posted with a red sign with “51%” in large red letters superimposed over a warning that says possession of a concealed weapon on the premises* is a felony);
■ On premises* where the possession of any concealed weapon is illegal;
■ Premises* of a correctional facility;
■ Premises* of a civil commitment facility;
■ Within 1,000 feet of any premises* of a place of ex*****on on a day that a sentence of death is set to be imposed by
the Texas Department of Criminal Justice;
■ Premises* of a hospital;
■ Premises* of a mental hospital or nursing home;
■ Premises* of a permanent amusement park;
■ In the room of an open meeting of a governmental entity; and
■ Any place where the carrying of fi****ms is prohibited by federal law.
Locations Off-Limits to Open Carry, Even With a Permit
■ Prohibited locations posted with Texas Penal Code § 30.07 or § 46.03 signs;
■ On the physical premises* of an elementary or secondary school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which a school-sponsored activity is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, without authorization;
■ On the premises* of an institution of higher education, any grounds or building on which a school-sponsored activity is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of an institution of higher education;
■ Premises* where a professional sporting event is taking place;
■ Premises* of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless authorized by the court;
■ Premises* of a racetrack;
■ Polling places on election day or while early voting is in progress;
■ Premises* of a correctional facility;
■ Premises* of a civil commitment facility;
■ Within 1,000 feet of any premises* of a place of ex*****on on a day that a sentence of death is set to be imposed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and
■ 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 (posted with a red sign with “51%” in large red letters superimposed over a warning that says possession of a concealed weapon on the premises* is a felony)
Locations Off-Limits to Concealed Carry, Even With a Permit:
■ Prohibited locations posted with Texas Penal Code § 30.06 or § 46.03 signs;
■ On the physical premises* of an elementary or secondary school or educational institution, any grounds or building on which a school-sponsored activity is being conducted, or a passenger transportation vehicle of a school or educational institution, without authorization;
■ Premises* where a professional sporting event is taking place;
■ Premises* of a racetrack;
■ Premises* of any government court or offices utilized by the court, unless authorized by the court;
■ Polling places on election day or while early voting is in progress;
■ Premises* of a correctional facility;
■ Premises* of a civil commitment facility;
■ Within 1,000 feet of any premises* of a place of ex*****on on a day that a sentence of death is set to be imposed by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice; and
■ 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 (posted with a red sign with “51%” in large red letters superimposed over a warning that says possession of a concealed weapon on the premises* is a felony)
Note: “Premises” means a building or a portion of a building. The term does not include any public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area.
