Jack House
Regular Member
I've been meaning to post this for a while, but between getting sick, scrambling to find a job and new place to live I haven't really had much time or energy.
I still don't really have any energy, I always feel drained. But whatever. It needs to be done, not just for the newbies, but for us as a convenient place to find information regarding carry laws in Texas. I have a bad memory and can't just recall stuff on command, something needs to prompt a memory. So I can't really remember all the questions. So I ask for help from my fellow Texans in making this FAQ.
This will be the first draft, so it's going to be really rough. But I'll check it constantly and update with new questions and corrections. Please bare in mind that these early drafts wont be the final format. Once we finally get a strong list of questions, I'll reformat the entire thing to be easier to read/find information.
Now on to the meat and potatoes!
1. Is it legal to open carry in Texas?
A. With a very few exceptions, it is not legal to open carry a handgun. The few exceptions that exist are on your own private property or property you have control of, traveling and hunting. Traveling has, as far as I know, not been defined. I personally recommend not utilizing this exception. Others have and have done so successfully. But the point of this FAQ is not to educate you on how to push the laws, but to give you a good idea of what the laws are like in Texas. I can not, in good faith, recommend this exception to anyone.
2. Is it legal to carry in a bar?
A. Yes and no. There are two types of bars in Texas, those that have blue liquor licenses and those that have red liquor licenses. It is illegal to carry into any establishment that has a red liquor license. Red licenses are also referred to as 51% licenses. The distinction is that a red license is required for an establishment that derives 51% or more of it's profits from the sell of alcohol for consumption on premises. These establishments are required by law to post a 51% sign at the entrance. As long as the bar has neither a 51% sign, nor a 30.06 sign, it is legal to carry there.
3. Do signs have weight of law in Texas?
A. To the best of my knowledge, there are only two signs that carry weight of law in Texas. The 30.06 sign, which is a reference to the statute which gives it power and a 51% sign, which references the distinction between the two types of bars. There are very specific requirements which regulate these signs. If the signs do not meet these requirements, they will have no weight of law.
Ok, unfortunately my brain has stopped functioning at this point! I need a nap or maybe some coffee. Where is my secretary, I mean sister, when I need her!?
To do list:
Input is totally welcome! Again, this is a very early rough draft. I'm just laying out the ground work before I begin the heavy construction so to speak. This just helps me get the ball rolling.
I still don't really have any energy, I always feel drained. But whatever. It needs to be done, not just for the newbies, but for us as a convenient place to find information regarding carry laws in Texas. I have a bad memory and can't just recall stuff on command, something needs to prompt a memory. So I can't really remember all the questions. So I ask for help from my fellow Texans in making this FAQ.
This will be the first draft, so it's going to be really rough. But I'll check it constantly and update with new questions and corrections. Please bare in mind that these early drafts wont be the final format. Once we finally get a strong list of questions, I'll reformat the entire thing to be easier to read/find information.
Now on to the meat and potatoes!
1. Is it legal to open carry in Texas?
A. With a very few exceptions, it is not legal to open carry a handgun. The few exceptions that exist are on your own private property or property you have control of, traveling and hunting. Traveling has, as far as I know, not been defined. I personally recommend not utilizing this exception. Others have and have done so successfully. But the point of this FAQ is not to educate you on how to push the laws, but to give you a good idea of what the laws are like in Texas. I can not, in good faith, recommend this exception to anyone.
2. Is it legal to carry in a bar?
A. Yes and no. There are two types of bars in Texas, those that have blue liquor licenses and those that have red liquor licenses. It is illegal to carry into any establishment that has a red liquor license. Red licenses are also referred to as 51% licenses. The distinction is that a red license is required for an establishment that derives 51% or more of it's profits from the sell of alcohol for consumption on premises. These establishments are required by law to post a 51% sign at the entrance. As long as the bar has neither a 51% sign, nor a 30.06 sign, it is legal to carry there.
3. Do signs have weight of law in Texas?
A. To the best of my knowledge, there are only two signs that carry weight of law in Texas. The 30.06 sign, which is a reference to the statute which gives it power and a 51% sign, which references the distinction between the two types of bars. There are very specific requirements which regulate these signs. If the signs do not meet these requirements, they will have no weight of law.
Ok, unfortunately my brain has stopped functioning at this point! I need a nap or maybe some coffee. Where is my secretary, I mean sister, when I need her!?
To do list:
- Fix inaccuracies
- Add more questions
- Add quotes, sources and citations
- Add images of proper signs
- Fix brain
Input is totally welcome! Again, this is a very early rough draft. I'm just laying out the ground work before I begin the heavy construction so to speak. This just helps me get the ball rolling.