Texas Open Carry Law Information
Open Carry Law took effect January 1, 2016. Citizens with a license to carry may legally carry a handgun openly or concealed. With the enactment of the Open Carry Law, it may become common to see individuals exercising their right to carry a handgun openly. Citizens should not necessarily be alarmed at the sight of an armed individual. For a handgun to be openly carried, the following conditions must be met:
- The individual must possess a valid license to carry.
- The handgun must be in a belt or shoulder holster.
Carrier Laws
Individuals carrying a handgun must present their license to carry to a peace officer in the event they are stopped or detained. Persons carrying openly should be prepared for the possibility of an officer to stop and verify they have a valid license to carry. Police officers also have the authority to temporarily disarm a person who is carrying a handgun.
Carrying of a gun while intoxicated is unlawful.