January 1, 2016 - Several changes to gun laws in Texas will go into effect on January 1, 2016. These laws are varied and are featured in nine different bills passed by the Texas House and Senate respectively.
Most notable of these changes is the allowance of licensed individuals to openly carry handguns on their hip. Until now, license holders were only allowed to carry a handgun if it was concealed and this license was called the Concealed Handgun License. The new license is called the License to Carry as it encompasses both open and concealed carriers of handguns. Unconcealed handguns, loaded or unloaded, must be carried in an approved shoulder or belt holster. (HB 910)
One change which has been directly considered in Shelby County Commissioners' Court is the prohibition of state agencies or political subdivisions from posting 30.06, which related to concealed carry, and 30.07, which relate to open carry, signs prohibiting license holders from carrying their handgun. Posting these signs make such entities subject to civil prosecution with the initial penalty being $1,000 to $1,500 and any subsequent penalty to those government agencies being a minimum of $10,000 to a maximum of $10,500. (SB 273)
It's important for anyone who would like to exercise their right to open carry or carry a concealed firearm in a place that is legally allowed, they first must seek a license. To do this one must first take a hangun license class and be informed of all the laws which effect those that carry firearms to prevent breaking the law.
For a list of new legislation relating to the carry of handguns, the Texas Department of Public Safety has compiled a page displaying the new changes and it can be viewed by clicking here.
House Bill 910, which is the Open Carry act, can be viewed by clicking here.
