Frequently Asked Questions

You must contact the DPS Concealed Handgun Section to receive a change of address form, or you may send a letter including your full name, CHL number, old address and new address (or status) and a cashier's check or money order for $25.

You may call 1-800-224-5744, write Texas Dept. of Public Safety Concealed Handgun Licensing Bureau, P.O. Box 4087, Austin, Texas, 78773 or online at
http://www.texasonline.state.tx.us/NASApp/txdps/chl/common/jsp/selectTask.jsp or
ftp://ftp.txdps.state.tx.us/forms/cr-70.pdf

The handgun law sets out the eligibility criteria that must be met. Your application packet will list them in detail.

For example, you must be qualified to purchase a handgun under the state and federal laws.

A number of factors may make you ineligible to obtain a license, such as: felony convictions and most misdemeanor convictions that are less than five years old, (including charges that resulted in probation or deferred adjudication), pending criminal charges, chemical or alcohol dependency, certain psychiatric diagnoses, protective or restraining orders, or defaults on taxes, governmental fees, student loans or child support. See Texas Gov't. Code § 411.172.

The application packet also will include information about materials you need to return with your application packet. These include two recent color passport photos, two sets of fingerprints taken by a law enforcement agency employee or a private entity designated by a law enforcement agency as an entity qualified to take fingerprints of an applicant for a license, a copy of your Texas driver license or identification card, and a notification of completion form (TR 100) from a DPS authorized training course.

After receiving completed application packets, DPS will conduct background checks of juvenile records for the previous 10 years, and of all adult records.

Yes. You must take a 4 to 6 hour class taught by a DPS certified  instructor. The notification of completion form (LTC 100) you receive from the instructor must be sent to DPS with your other supporting documents.

Handguns and other weapons cannot be carried at schools or on school buses, at polling places, in courts and court offices, at racetracks, at secured airport areas or within 1,000 feet of the premises of an execution on the day of execution.

The law also specifically prohibits handguns from businesses where alcohol is sold if more than half of their revenue is from the sale of alcohol for on-premises consumption, and from locations where high school, college or professional sporting events are taking place.

You may not carry handguns in hospitals or nursing homes, amusement parks, places of worship or at government meetings if signs are posted prohibiting them.

Businesses also may post signs prohibiting handguns on their premises based on criminal trespass laws. See Texas Penal Code 46.035. (Judges, prosecuting attorneys, peace officers and parole officers should consult Texas Penal Code 46.15  regarding exemptions from the "no-carry" rules of the Penal Code.)

Constitution Carry simply means that if you can LEGALLY posses a firearm, you should be able to legally carry that firearm without government permission. It does not mean that felons or violent criminals can carry firearms as defined by current law.

We strongly recommend you purchase Texas Law Shield Firearms Legal Defense Program here (prepaid legal services) if you are going to carry a firearm. It only costs about $13 per month for peace of mind.

If you are carrying a handgun openly or concealed and an official asks you for identification, show the officer your state issued ID or drivers license and handgun license. This will limit your chances of being arrested.

Yes, if any official or law enforcement officer asks you for identification and you are carrying a handgun, you must show your license or ID and your handgun license.

Many do, but some don’t. Do not assume that someone who has been trained to enforce the law knows all of it. It is important to know and memorize the laws so that you can intelligently and articulately explain them to a law enforcement officer or curious individual.

Yes, provided you have not received effective notice. A 30.05 & 30.07 sign will ban open carry, while the 30.06 sign will still apply to concealed carry for LTC. A business wanting to completely ban firearms is required to post all signs. However, if the owner requests removal of the firearm or asks you to leave the property, please respect his or her wishes. Failure to do so will result in the charge of Criminal Trespass and unlawful carry.

No. While we recommend a retention holster to better ensure that your firearm remains secure while carried openly, there is no requirement to have any specific holster.

No. Your concealed handgun license will "qualify" you to openly carry a handgun. Current CHL  holders will be grandfathered in as handgun license holders. Upon your next renewal, the title of your license will change to License to Carry Handgun and a new card will be mailed to you. 

Yes. The law makes no distinction between a loaded and an unloaded firearm. Treat every firearm as if it were loaded. 

Yes. There are no residency restrictions to legal open carry as long as you possess a handgun license that is recognized in Texas or you qualify to carry under the Texas Constituional Carry law.

No, you must have a Texas License to Carry a Handgun (LTC) or a handgun license recognized by Texas, or qualify to carry under the Texas Constituional carry law.

No, while campus carry is legal as of August 1, 2016, it must remain concealed and you must have a handgun license. To get a license you must be at least 21 years of age. 

Yes, as of January 1, 2016, you can carry any handgun openly or concealed as long as you are licensed by Texas or a state with reciprocity. By law, the handgun must be carried in a "shoulder or belt holster." Long arms do not require a license.

No. Let's take DWI as an example. DWI (first offense) is a Class B misdemeanor, and a person is not eligible for a license for five years after a conviction for a Class A or Class B misdemeanor or for the offense of disorderly conduct.

A 'conviction" includes cases that were dismissed after you completed probation or deferred adjudication. If you have been convicted of two or more alcohol or drug-related misdemeanor offenses within the last 10 years, you may not be eligible.

Yes. The concealed handgun law states that deferred adjudication will be treated as a conviction, except for orders of deferred adjudication over 10 years old for certain felony offense not involving violence against a person. See Texas Gov't. Code.

Yes. If you have a payment plan with a government agency for back taxes or child support and the agency sends DPS a clearance letter, you may apply. Include a copy of the agreement and letter with your application materials.

The concealed handgun law was designed to encourage those who made no effort whatsoever to pay what they owe.

Unless you have been legally adjudicated as a mental defective, eligibility for a concealed handgun license depends on your current diagnosis. Past psychiatric treatment will not necessarily make you ineligible.

When you submit your application you may wish to include a letter or statement from your treating physician regarding the current status of your condition.

Yes. Failure to disclose all of your arrests and convictions is an independent ground for your denial of your application.

Yes. In order to be eligible for a Texas concealed handgun license, you must be fully eligible under both Texas and federal law to purchase a handgun (except for military applicants who are at least 18 years of age but under the age of 21).

No. Dismissals are not grounds for denial, as long as you were not placed on probation or deferred adjudication prior to the dismissal.

A list of certified handgun instructors can be found on the DPS website at www.txdps.state.tx.us You can also obtain the information by calling (512) 424-7293 or 424-7294 or 1-800-224-5744.

No. DPS only provides training for instructors.

DPS certifies and can review their records and monitor their classes to make sure they are following the required curriculum.

Not necessarily. You may legally demonstrate handgun proficiency with a borrowed or rented handgun.

Retired law enforcement officers are exempt from taking the handgun  proficiency course. However, they must demonstrate weapons proficiency annually through a law enforcement agency. Active, commissioned peace officers also are exempt from taking the proficiency course.

Judges and district and county prosecutors are not required to take the proficiency course, provided they submit a sworn statement from a TCLEOSE-certified handgun instructor certifying that they have demonstrated handgun proficiency to the instructor within the previous twelve months.

Yes, but you may not carry before you receive the license.

No. You must have a currently valid license in your possession to carry a handgun as a license holder. 

"Concealed" means that the weapon cannot be visible, and that its presence cannot be discernible through ordinary observation. It is a criminal offense for a license holder to carry a handgun in plain view, or to intentionally fail to conceal the weapon.

"Carrying" while drinking is not prohibited, but it is a criminal offense to carry while intoxicated.

Yes. If a peace officer reasonably believes a safety risk exists, the officer may disarm you.

Yes. Private property owners may give notice excluding license holders from carrying concealed handguns. If you carry a concealed handgun on posted properly, you can be charged with criminal trespass by a license holder. The charge is a Class A misdemeanor, and if you are convicted, your license will be revoked.

If you want to prohibit license holders from carrying concealed handguns on your property, state law requires you provide notice to potential trespassers, either orally or by posting a sign that says: "Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by holder of license to carry a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 41 1, Government Code (concealed handgun law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun."

The sign must be written in both English and Spanish in contrasting colors with block letters at least one inch in height, and must be displayed in a conspicuous manner clearly visible to the public. Visit the DPS website at www.txdps.state.tx.us for the specific language and specifications for the sign.

If the parking lot is not posted with the sign described above, handguns may be left in the cars. However, if the sign is posted in or at the entrance to the parking lot, you may not.

A license holder is not prohibited from having a handgun in his or her vehicle in a school parking lot. (School employees should know and comply with their employer's policy on this point.) However, it is a criminal offense for any person who is on school property to exhibit, use, or threaten to exhibit or use a firearm. See Texas Education Code 37.125(a).

Yes. The statute refers to carrying a gun "on or about" your person. Texas courts generally have considered this to include any gun within your reach, including one stored in your glove compartment or even in a passenger's purse, if you can reach it without materially changing your position.

Effective September 1, 2007, a person who can legally possess a firearm may possess or carry a handgun in a motor vehicle (including a recreational vehicle with living quarters) that is owned by or under the lawful control of the person. However, the firearm must be concealed, the person may not be engaged in criminal activity, and may not be a member of a "criminal street gang." The person may also carry the handgun to and from his vehicle without a license. See Texas Penal Code 46.02 (a). However, DPS recommends that you seek the advice of an attorney with any questions regarding the unlicensed carrying of weapons.

Under the concealed handgun law, you are only required to have your license with you whenever you are carrying your handgun. However, many license holders choose to carry their license with them at all times.

You may carry any type handgun you wish. If openly carried it must be in a holster

If you can conceal them. The law does not specify or limit the number of guns you may carry.

You may not apply until the reason of your revocation has not existed for two years. In other words, the revocation of a license brings with it at least two extra years on ineligibility.

Example 1: Your license is revoked on 08/15/2007 because you were subject to a protective order. The protective order expired on 10/15/2007. You may apply on 10/15/2009 if you meet all eligibility requirements.

Example 2: Your license is revoked on 08/15/2007 because you were convicted of a Class B misdemeanor on 04/01/2007. You may apply on 04/01/2014 if meet all eligibility requirements. The misde-meanor conviction itself makes you ineligible until 04/01/2012 (five years after date of conviction); the two extra years of ineligibility that result from the license's revocation make you ineligible until 04/01/2014.

The department will make every effort to issue your license within 60 days or inform you that you did not meet the eligibility criteria. Once your application is complete, processing may take up to 180 days if your background check reveals potentially disqualifying events or information.

Information about persons who are licensed to carry a concealed handgun is confidential and may not be disclosed to an individual. However, upon proper request by a criminal justice agency, DPS must disclose to the agency whether or not a named individual is licensed to carry a concealed handgun. Disclosable information includes the license holder's name, date of birth, gender, and zip code. DPS must notify the license holder about the request and provide himlher the name of the agency making the request.

It depends. A resident alien who has been admitted to the U.S. under an immigrant visa category will generally be eligible for a concealed handgun license. However, under federal law, an alien who has been admitted to the U.S. under a non-immigrant visa usually is not qualified to purchase a handgun and thus is not eligible for a license. If you legally reside in Texas and were not admitted to the U.S. under a non-immigrant visa, you may be eligible.

An initial CHL expires on the license holder's first birthday following the four-year anniversary of the issuance of the license. In other words, an intial license is valid for four (4) years, and in many cases, for some additional months. All renewed licenses are valid for five (5) years.

The department will make every effort to issue your license within 60 days or inform you that you did not meet the eligibility criteria. Once your application is complete, processing may take up to 180 days if your background check reveals potentially disqualifying events or information.