Why Get a License to Carry?

In Texas as in several other states in our still great country, you are legal to carry a firearm either openly or concealed on your person without the need for a License to Carry (LTC) as long as you are 21 years of age and can legally own a firearm. So, why do I suggest still getting an LTC in Texas? 

There are a few reasons.

1. Unless you are a lawyer or a nerd who loves researching laws in any given state, going through the course will cover certain laws in Texas as to when and where you can and can't carry as well as where you can carry concealed but not openly. Permitless carry, concealed or open is allowed by law in Texas and anyone who is 21 years of age or older and can legally own a firearm can exercise these rights. With that being said, there are places in Texas where you cannot carry your firearm. For instance, you may not carry a firearm in a hospital, openly or concealed. You cannot carry a firearm in a place of business like a restaurant or Bar if that establishment derives more than 50% of its revenue from serving of alcoholic beverages. There will be a Texas 51% sign posted in that establishment.

Anywhere that you see a posted Texas 30.05, 30.06 or 30.07 there are some restrictions. The 30.05 sign is made for business owners who do not want people to carry firearms in their place of business. It deals with Criminal Trespass. Keep in mind that any business can restrict your carrying of firearms on their premises. Just because there is no 30.05 sign, does not mean they cannot ask you to leave. If they ask you to leave and you don't, then you can be cited for Criminal Trespass.

The Texas 30.06 sign restricts you from concealed carry of your firearm and the 30.07 sign restricts you from open carrying of your firearm on the premises.

2. You may be a trained firearms expert or a novice but, classroom training and a marksmanship test can't hurt. Along with learning where you can and cannot carry in Texas, you may learn some things about modern firearms and ammunition that you didn't know (or have forgotten). Unless you go to the range at least once a month, you may also find out that you are not as accurate as you used to be (or thought you were).

3. If you have a current Texas LTC, there are 37 other states that will allow you to carry concealed in their state via reciprocity. Make sure, however, that you know the laws in those states before you exercise your right to carry in those states. Not all states are created equal.

4. Finally, if you are a resident of the Great State of Texas and you hold a current Texas LTC, when you purchase a firearm from any legal firearms dealers in the state, you will not be required to complete a Federal Background Check because a background check had been done on you for the Texas LTC. That saves time and almost assures that you walk out of the store with your new firearm, provided you filled out the transfer for completely and correctly.