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Concealed Carry Map

State profile · TX

Texas Concealed Carry Laws & Reciprocity

A Texas resident permit (Texas License to Carry a Handgun (LTC)) is honored in 36 of the other 50 US jurisdictions, and 2 more allow permitless carry even though they do not recognize the permit itself. In the other direction, Texas recognizes valid carry permits from every US state. Texas allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

Open the interactive map for a Texas permit →

Texas concealed carry reciprocity map

Where a Texas resident permit is valid. Each state links to the rules for that trip.

Alabama: recognized — and permitless carry appliesALAlaska: recognized — and permitless carry appliesAKArizona: recognized — and permitless carry appliesAZArkansas: recognized — and permitless carry appliesARCalifornia: not recognizedCAColorado: recognized — carry with your permitCOConnecticut: not recognizedCTDelaware: recognized — carry with your permitDEDistrict of Columbia: not recognizedDCFlorida: recognized — and permitless carry appliesFLGeorgia: recognized — and permitless carry appliesGAHawaii: not recognizedHIIdaho: recognized — and permitless carry appliesIDIllinois: not recognizedILIndiana: recognized — and permitless carry appliesINIowa: recognized — and permitless carry appliesIAKansas: recognized — and permitless carry appliesKSKentucky: recognized — and permitless carry appliesKYLouisiana: recognized — and permitless carry appliesLAMaine: permit not recognized — but permitless carry appliesMEMaryland: not recognizedMDMassachusetts: not recognizedMAMichigan: recognized — carry with your permitMIMinnesota: recognized — carry with your permitMNMississippi: recognized — and permitless carry appliesMSMissouri: recognized — and permitless carry appliesMOMontana: recognized — and permitless carry appliesMTNebraska: recognized — and permitless carry appliesNENevada: recognized — carry with your permitNVNew Hampshire: recognized — and permitless carry appliesNHNew Jersey: not recognizedNJNew Mexico: recognized — carry with your permitNMNew York: not recognizedNYNorth Carolina: recognized — carry with your permitNCNorth Dakota: recognized — and permitless carry appliesNDOhio: recognized — and permitless carry appliesOHOklahoma: recognized — and permitless carry appliesOKOregon: not recognizedORPennsylvania: recognized — carry with your permitPARhode Island: not recognizedRISouth Carolina: permit not recognized — but permitless carry appliesSCSouth Dakota: recognized — and permitless carry appliesSDTennessee: recognized — and permitless carry appliesTNTexas (home state)TXUtah: recognized — and permitless carry appliesUTVermont: recognized — and permitless carry appliesVTVirginia: recognized — carry with your permitVAWashington: not recognizedWAWest Virginia: recognized — and permitless carry appliesWVWisconsin: recognized — carry with your permitWIWyoming: recognized — and permitless carry appliesWY
  • Permit honored
  • Honored + permitless carry
  • Permitless carry only
  • Not honored
  • Confirm case-by-case
  • Texas

Which states honor a Texas LTC? (36)

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming

Where a Texas permit is not honored (14)

Permitless carry still applies (2): Maine, South Carolina

No lawful carry on this permit (12): California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington

Where a Texas permit is honored, state by state

Click any destination for the full rules — duty to inform, magazine limits, off-limits places, and official sources.

DestinationResident permitNon-resident permit
AlabamaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
AlaskaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
ArizonaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
ArkansasRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
CaliforniaNot recognizedNot recognized
ColoradoRecognized — carry with your permitNot recognized
ConnecticutNot recognizedNot recognized
DelawareRecognized — carry with your permitRecognized — carry with your permit
District of ColumbiaNot recognizedNot recognized
FloridaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesPermit not recognized — but permitless carry applies
GeorgiaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
HawaiiNot recognizedNot recognized
IdahoRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
IllinoisNot recognizedNot recognized
IndianaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
IowaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
KansasRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
KentuckyRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
LouisianaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
MainePermit not recognized — but permitless carry appliesPermit not recognized — but permitless carry applies
MarylandNot recognizedNot recognized
MassachusettsNot recognizedNot recognized
MichiganRecognized — carry with your permitNot recognized
MinnesotaRecognized — carry with your permitRecognized — carry with your permit
MississippiRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
MissouriRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
MontanaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
NebraskaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
NevadaRecognized — carry with your permitRecognized — carry with your permit
New HampshireRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
New JerseyNot recognizedNot recognized
New MexicoRecognized — carry with your permitRecognized — carry with your permit
New YorkNot recognizedNot recognized
North CarolinaRecognized — carry with your permitRecognized — carry with your permit
North DakotaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
OhioRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
OklahomaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
OregonNot recognizedNot recognized
PennsylvaniaRecognized — carry with your permitNot recognized
Rhode IslandNot recognizedNot recognized
South CarolinaPermit not recognized — but permitless carry appliesPermit not recognized — but permitless carry applies
South DakotaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
TennesseeRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
UtahRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
VermontRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
VirginiaRecognized — carry with your permitRecognized — carry with your permit
WashingtonNot recognizedNot recognized
West VirginiaRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies
WisconsinRecognized — carry with your permitRecognized — carry with your permit
WyomingRecognized — and permitless carry appliesRecognized — and permitless carry applies

* a load-bearing fact could not be fully verified — confirm with the official source before carrying.

Whose permits Texas honors

Texas recognizes valid concealed-carry permits from every US state and DC.

Since September 1, 2025 (SB 706, 89th Legislature), Tex. Gov't Code 411.173(b) provides that "a valid license to carry a handgun issued by any other state is recognized in this state" — every state and the District of Columbia (Gov't Code 311.005(7) defines "state" to include any district), with no holder-residency, resident-permit or age condition in the statute, so non-resident permits qualify. The DPS reciprocity chart still shows pre-SB 706 "No Agreement" entries (DC, ME, NH, OR, VT) and says MN/WI licenses are not honored; the statute controls. Permitless carry (21+) also covers most unlicensed visitors.

Texas at a glance

Permit
Texas License to Carry a Handgun (LTC)
Issued by
Texas Department of Public Safety (Handgun Licensing Program)
Issue policy
Shall-issue
Resident minimum age
18
Non-resident permits
Issued
Permitless carry
Yes (21+)
Duty to inform
No
Magazine limit
None

Can you carry in Texas without a permit?

Texas allows permitless concealed carry from age 21 for people who may legally possess a handgun, including eligible visitors.

HB 1927 (Firearm Carry Act of 2021), effective September 1, 2021: 'allows individuals who are 21 years of age or older and who can legally possess a firearm to carry a handgun without first obtaining a license' (TX DPS). Open carry must be in a holster (Penal Code 46.02(a-5)).

Is Texas an open carry state?

Yes. Texas allows open carry of a handgun without a permit from age 21 for people who may legally possess one.

Adults 21 and older who may legally have a gun can carry a handgun openly without a license, but a visible handgun must be in a holster (any holster type). Adults 18-20 need a License to Carry.

How to get a Texas concealed carry permit

Apply to
Texas Department of Public Safety (online application, then fingerprinting appointment)
Minimum age
18
Fee
$40 (new, standard fee)
Training
4-6 hours of classroom training (online allowed), a written exam, and a shooting proficiency demonstration with a Texas-qualified instructor.
Valid for
4 years
Issue policy
Shall-issue (must be granted if you qualify)

Non-residents may apply but must complete the training in Texas; renewals are valid five years.

Does Texas issue non-resident permits?

Yes. Texas issues carry permits to non-residents, and a Texas non-resident permit is honored in 32 other states. Non-resident licenses available — Tex. Gov't Code 411.173(a) requires DPS to establish a procedure for legal residents of other states who meet all other eligibility requirements to obtain an LTC.

Compare every state's non-resident permit →

Do you have to tell police you are carrying in Texas?

No proactive duty — Gov't Code 411.205 requires a license holder carrying a handgun to display the LTC together with ID only when a magistrate or peace officer demands identification.

Carrying in a vehicle in Texas

A handgun may be carried in one's own (or consented) vehicle without a license; if in plain view it must be holstered and the carrier 21+ or an LTC holder (Penal Code 46.02(a-1) as amended by HB 1927).

Where you can't carry in Texas

Editor's verification notes

Statutory LTC minimum age is 21 (Gov't Code 411.172(a)(2)), but DPS's own eligibility FAQ states it 'will no longer deny applications solely on the basis that the applicants are 18-to-20 years old' after Firearms Policy Coalition v. McCraw (N.D. Tex., No. 4:21-cv-1245-P), so 18 is recorded as the effective minimum; permitless carry remains 21+ by statute. SB 706 was missed on 2026-08-08 because the DPS chart was never updated; the statute text was read directly on 2026-09-27 and controls.

Frequently asked questions

Which states honor a Texas carry permit?
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. The table on this page links to the detailed rules for each destination.
Does Texas recognize out-of-state carry permits?
Since September 1, 2025 (SB 706, 89th Legislature), Tex. Gov't Code 411.173(b) provides that "a valid license to carry a handgun issued by any other state is recognized in this state" — every state and the District of Columbia (Gov't Code 311.005(7) defines "state" to include any district), with no holder-residency, resident-permit or age condition in the statute, so non-resident permits qualify. The DPS reciprocity chart still shows pre-SB 706 "No Agreement" entries (DC, ME, NH, OR, VT) and says MN/WI licenses are not honored; the statute controls. Permitless carry (21+) also covers most unlicensed visitors.

Official sources