We are often asked if it is still worthwhile or even necessary to take the LTC training course now that HB 1927, the Firearms Carry Act of 2021, is law. Commonly referred to as Constitutional Carry, but more appropriately Permitless carry, this law allows people who qualify under the law to carry a handgun in a public place in Texas without a license to carry (LTC). Texans can and should still apply for an LTC since it does carry additional benefits, which we will list out below, HB 1927 does NOT repeal the LTC program.
Sections 46.02 and 46.04 of the Texas Penal Code describe unlawful carry and possession of a firearm. Generally, to carry a handgun in public in Texas without an LTC, a person must:
- Be at least 21 years old
- Not have a prior felony conviction as described in Section 46.04
- Not have a recent conviction for certain types of misdemeanors as described in Sections 46.02 and 46.04
- Not be subject to an unexpired protective order as described in Section 46.04(c)
- Not be restricted from possessing a firearm under federal law as described in 18 United States Code Section 922(g)
- Not be intoxicated, except in certain situations as described in Section 46.02(a-6)
- These changes did not give the right to carry a handgun to anyone who was prohibited before the amendment took effect.
Even if you are set on not getting your LTC one of the main reasons to attend the LTC training program is to learn and understand the laws that pertain to carrying a firearm. You will learn where you can and cannot carry, as well as the laws that relate to the use of deadly force, and when is it justified to use or even threaten to use a firearm in self-defense. You will also learn what the possible repercussions for using deadly force are. We, at Mission Ridge Range and Academy feel that this last point is the most important and the main driving force for anyone to take the full LTC course. This can be the difference between a justified use of force and you becoming a felon. While there are a lot of good things floating around the internet these days, there is still a lot of opinion being passed off as fact and some misinterpretations of laws based off what some people have heard etc. This class will set all of that straight by providing you with just the facts exactly how the State of Texas requires them to be taught. You will leave knowing for sure when you are and are not justified in using deadly force. That alone is peace of mind that anyone carrying a firearm should want to have.
There are places where you can carry your firearm only if you have a valid Texas LTC; if you don’t have an LTC and are carrying under HB 1927, you are not allowed to carry in many areas. Without your LTC, you are still excluded from carrying a firearm in certain locations, including:
- On school premises, such as locked in your car or on your person while you’re driving down a side street within 1,000 feet of the school. Without an LTC, you cannot have your firearm within 1,000 feet of a public, charter, or private school. With an LTC, you still cannot carry inside the school without the school’s written regulation allowing it or with written authorization from the school. (exceptions to this are colleges and universities under set circumstances)
- On the Lower Colorado River Authority property in Central Texas.
- In a restaurant, with a restaurant being defined by law as obtaining 50% or less of its revenue from alcoholic beverage sales. Restaurant signs do not have a red 51% on them, and they include the word “unlicensed” in refering to who can’t carry there, Texas LTC holders can still carry on the premises. LTC holders are licensed.
Lastly, and we do get asked this a lot, YES, the 30.06 and 30.07 signs are still in effect, and legal, HB 1927 did NOT repeal these either. In fact, HB 1927 added a sign!
- Penal Code Chapter 30.05 signs will be used by businesses choosing to prohibit unlicensed people from carrying firearms in their places of business. HB 1927 does not allow you to carry in businesses with a properly posted 30.05 notice.
- Businesses can continue to post 30.06 and/or 30.07 prohibiting Texas LTC holders from carrying concealed (30.06) or openly (30.07) in their place of business.
- The Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission states businesses that qualify as bars—meaning they receive 51% or more of their income from sales of alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises—must post a sign notifying customers of their 51% status. This is also known as a Weapons Warning Sign but is more commonly referred to as a 51% sign. Neither an LTC or HB 1927 allow you to carry a firearm in a bar.
It is also important to point out that effective notice can be given orally even without a sign being posted.