Summary of New Laws Impacting Handgun Licensing
HB 918 Effective September 1, 2021
Caption: Relating to a license to carry a handgun for certain young adults who are protected under certain court orders related to family violence.
- Authorizes expedited issuance of an LTC to a person who is at least 18 years of age but not yet 21 years of age who is protected under an active protective order or an active magistrate's order for emergency protection.
HB 1069 Effective September 1, 2021
Caption: Relating to the carrying of a handgun by certain first responders.
- Requires the department establish minimum standards for a training course for first responders who hold an LTC. The course must be administered by a qualified LTC handgun instructor and must include not more than 40 hours of classroom instruction in self-defense, de-escalation techniques, tactical thinking and shooting, among other items.
- Requires an annual continuing education course of not more than 10 hours. A qualified handgun instructor may not offer the training course before January 1, 2022.
HB 1407 Effective September 1, 2021
Caption: Relating to the carrying of a handgun by a license holder in a motor vehicle.
- Allows an LTC license holder to have a handgun visible in their vehicle, regardless of whether it is on their person, as long as the handgun is in a holster.
- Amends Penal Code, Section 46.035(a), to provide an exception to the offense of intentionally displaying a handgun in a public place if the handgun was partially or wholly visible but was in a holster, and the handgun and the license holder were in a motor vehicle.
HB 1920 Effective September 1, 2021
Caption: Relating to the offense of possessing a weapon in a secured area of an airport.
- In relation to the prohibition against carrying a firearm in the secured area of an airport, the bill amends the definition of a "secured area" to include an aircraft parking area used by common carriers in air transportation but not by general aviation and to which access is controlled under federal law.
- The definition excludes a baggage claim area; a motor vehicle parking area used by passengers, employees, or persons awaiting an arrival; or an area used by the public to pick up or drop off passengers or employees.
HB 1927 Effective September 1, 2021
Caption: Relating to provisions governing the carrying of a firearm by a person who is 21 years of age or older and not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing the firearm and to other provisions related to the carrying, possessing, transporting, or storing of a firearm or other weapon; creating criminal offenses.
- Authorizes the unlicensed carrying of firearms by a person who is 21 years of age or older and not otherwise prohibited by state or federal law from possessing the firearm.
- Also addresses specific prohibited locations and the manner in which firearms may be carried.
- Amends Penal Code Section 30.05 to authorize the posting of a sign by a property owner to exclude the possession of unlicensed firearms (licensed handgun possession remains a defense to prosecution).
- Unlicensed carry on the physical premises of schools and educational institutions is prohibited under Penal Code Section 46.03. Does not change the “campus carry” provisions requiring possession of an LTC and requiring the license holder carry concealed.
- License holders who accidentally carry a handgun in the security area of an airport are provided a defense to prosecution not available to unlicensed carriers. Additionally, arrest of a license holder is prohibited if the individual exits the area immediately upon notification.
- Prohibitions against carrying in alcohol establishments (51%), hospitals, amusement parks, or collegiate sporting events, do not apply to LTC holders if they are not provided effective notice. Notice is not otherwise required to prohibit unlicensed carry in these locations.
HB 2112 Effective September 1, 2021
Caption: Relating to the carrying of holstered handguns by handgun license holders.
- Removes the requirement that an openly carried handgun be carried in a "belt or shoulder" holster, leaving the requirement that the handgun be carried “in a holster.”
HB 2675 Effective September 1, 2021
Caption: Relating to a license to carry a handgun for a person who is at increased risk of becoming a victim of violence.
- Creates a new designation on an LTC for persons at increased risk of becoming victims of violence, and provides for expedited application process. The department may not accept an application or grant a designation before January 1, 2022.
HB 4346 Effective September 1, 2021
Caption: Relating to the possession, carrying, or transportation of a firearm or alcoholic beverage by certain persons during the use of an easement.
- Prohibits a land owner whose property has an easement from restricting or prohibiting the easement holder or an easement holder's guest from possessing, carrying, or transporting a firearm, firearm parts, and ammunition on the easement.
SB 20 Effective September 1, 2021
Caption: Relating to carrying and storing a handgun or handgun ammunition by a hotel guest.
- Prohibits hotels from adopting a firearms policy prohibiting a hotel guest from carrying or storing a handgun or ammunition in the hotel guest's room, carrying a handgun or ammunition directly en route to or from the hotel or the guest's room from the guest's vehicle, or storing a handgun or ammunition in the guest's vehicle located on the hotel property.
- Provides a hotel may adopt a firearms policy requiring the guest to carry handgun in concealed manner or in a case or bag.
SB 550 Effective September 1, 2021
Caption: Relating to the manner of carrying a handgun by a person who holds a license under Government Code, Subchapter H, Chapter 411.
- Removes the requirement that an openly carried handgun be carried in a "belt or shoulder" holster, leaving the requirement that the handgun be carried “in a holster.”