The Texas State has been changing the Texas license to carry rules and regulations over the years. Here we will discuss in detail the Texas license to carry laws, rules, and regulations.
Texas LTC Requirements/Eligibility Criteria
- An individual should be 21 years old or older to be able to apply for the license to carry in Texas.
- The Individual should have a valid government-issued identification card or driver’s license.
- To buy a firearm, you must meet all requirements.
- To be eligible for the license to carry you have to pass a Department of Public Safety verified online training or in-person training. And also have to pass a shooting test under an LTC instructor
Necessary Documents Required
- An LTC-101 completion certificate is required which shows you have completed the training and have passed the shooting test.
- Completed LTC-78A Application form filled.
- A government-issued identification card or driver’s license.
LTC Issuing Department
The license to carry in Texas is issued to the applicants who fulfill the eligibility criteria and qualify for the license to carry. And the license to carry is issued by the Department of Public Safety.
License Validity
The validity time period or length of the Texas license to carry is around 4 years. After 4 years you have to renew the license.
Cost of Permit
The standard cost of the permit is 40$ but it varies in some conditions. For military service members, the cost of the license to carry is 25$. And for Texas State Guards, Active Guards, & Reserves the cost of the permit is 0$. It is free for them and they don’t have to pay anything.
License Renew
Fees for a new License to carry also apply to license renewals as well. A renewal application form is used by applicants for license renewal. Renewals are processed within around 45 days of receiving all required materials. The cost of a new license and renewal of a license is the same.
License Rejection
If your license to carry application is rejected by the Department of Public Safety then the applicant can again appeal for in the 30 days time period. A request for a hearing must be submitted in writing to the Texas Department of Public Safety in Austin. The department shall promptly arrange a hearing in the appropriate justice court or in the applicant’s or license holder’s county of residence upon receiving a request for a hearing from a license holder or applicant.
How Non-Residents can get LTC in Texas?
Texas State also allows non-residents of Texas State to get a license to carry. The license to carry is also issued by the Department of Public Safety to the non-residents of Texas. But still, you should be a resident of any other State in the US. And you should also fulfill the eligibility criteria set by the Department of Public Safety.
So to apply for the non-resident license to carry in Texas you have to fill out and submit the 78A application form. You have to complete the online training or in-person training in Texas and pass the shooting test. Then you have to pay the fee and also submit the required documents needed by the Department of Public Safety. For non-residents submitting a copy of a government-issued identification card or driver’s license, two passport size photographs and an LTC-6 application form is also compulsory. So these are the documents that you need to submit to apply for a non-resident license to carry in Texas.
LTC Laws, Rules, and Regulations
Firearms Transportation
Whenever you are carrying a gun in a private or personal car, you do not need a gun permit in Texas. But when you are transporting a firearm is your duty to make sure that the firearm is unloaded, empty, and kept in a case. The ammunition of the gun should be kept separate as well. A firearm exhibited in a gun rack should never be transported.
LTC Applicant cannot be denied
A license to carry a permit cannot be denied by the Department of Public Safety unless the applicant is ineligible by federal or state laws. The license to carry in Texas should be issued to both the residents of Texas State and Non-residents of Texas State by the Department of Public Safety.
Non-Carrying Areas for LTC Holders
- These are some of the off-limit areas for the license to carry holders in Texas State:
- Courts
- Hospitals
- Polling stations for the election
- Prisons and detention centers
- Racetracks
- Sporting events open to the public
- Businesses that have a 51 percent compliance sign.
Carrying while Alcohol Consumption
While you are intoxicated or consuming alcohol you are not allowed to carry a handgun. It is an offense if you carry a handgun with a license to carry while you are intoxicated or doing alcohol consumption. There are some rules or criteria to check whether you are intoxicated or not. Like firstly your concentration of blood alcohol can be checked and if it is around 0.08 or more then you are intoxicated and if carrying a gun in this state then you are doing an offense. Secondly when your mind or body is not in a normal state because of alcohol or drugs consumption then you are not allowed to carry a handgun. It is a crime if you carry a handgun with LTC in this condition.
Reciprocity Rules in Texas State
Concealed Carry Permits from the other States
Texas accepts concealed carry permits from around 40 states. Due to some Constitutional Carry measures or any other carrying or legislative laws so currently the other remaining states do not have any current agreement with the Texas State. The Texas State gun permit does not work there and their gun permit is not applicable in the Texas State.
Conclusion
These are the rules and regulations regarding the license to carry in Texas. It is the moral and ethical responsibility of every gun owner in Texas to follow these rules and regulations. The Department of Public Safety also follows these rules and regulations and works according to the laws. Currently, Texas is one the best state who is providing many benefits and creating ease for the gun permit holders. Texas State has made it very easy for the new gun owners to obtain a license to carry by shifting everything online and you can get your gun permit in Texas by applying from the ease of your home. For getting the license to carry in Texas you have to fulfill the eligibility criteria set by the Department of Public safety. Texas State also provides gun permits to the non-residents of Texas. So here you can find complete information regarding laws, rules, and regulations regarding the license to carry in Texas State.
