Beginning Sept. 1, Texans over the age of 21 with a clean criminal record can carry a handgun without a permit.
House Bill 1927, the Texas Firearm Act of 2021, signed by Gov. Greg Abbott, eliminates the requirement that gun owners obtain a license to carry, including passing a safety course and background check.
While HB 1927 removes a required background check to carry a handgun, gun dealers must still conduct a background check unless the buyer has a license to carry. Purchasing a gun from a private seller does not require a background check.
The new law does not allow Texans to carry a gun if they are currently disqualified from possessing a firearm. However, HB 1927 expunges criminal records for Texans convicted of illegal handgun carrying in a non-prohibited place before Sept. 1.
The new law does not change the locations that previously banned guns, such as:
- Airport
- Amusement park
- Bar
- Correctional facility
- Courthouse
- High school, collegiate, or professional sporting event
- Polling site during voting
- Publicly open government meeting
- Racetrack
Private businesses and churches can prohibit guns and open carry with written signage or verbal notice to gun owners.
If someone carries a handgun on-premises where guns are prohibited, they must vacate the area or face being charged with a Class A misdemeanor or third-degree felony.
