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Texas Concealed Carry Laws (2026)
Permitted: No license is needed at 21 or older. You may carry a handgun openly (in a holster) or concealed if you may lawfully possess it.
No license is needed at 21 or older. You may carry a handgun openly (in a holster) or concealed if you may lawfully possess it. A conviction in the past five years for assault causing injury, deadly conduct, terroristic threat or disorderly conduct with a firearm also bars permitless carry. Under 21, carrying a handgun is an offense outside your own premises or vehicle unless you hold a Texas License to Carry (LTC). A 2022 federal order stops state police (DPS) from enforcing the age rule on 18 to 20 year olds, but the statute is unchanged, so treat carry under 21 as unlawful.
Official source: dps.texas.gov →
General legal information, not legal advice — verify important decisions with a licensed attorney.
Concealed Carry in states bordering Texas
The same rule in each neighboring state LawLert has verified, from that state’s own official source.
- ArkansasPermitted
No license is needed to carry a handgun in Arkansas, concealed or openly, if you are 18 or older and may lawfully possess one. Carrying is a crime only if you intend to use the handgun unlawfully against a person. Concealed carry is still banned in places such as bars, courthouses and places posted against handguns, and firearms are banned on K-12 school grounds. An optional license, for age 21 or older (18 for military), is mainly for other states' reciprocity.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: dps.arkansas.gov · Full Arkansas rule →
- LouisianaPermitted
Louisiana has been a permitless-carry state (also called constitutional carry) since July 4, 2024: anyone 18 and older who can lawfully possess may carry concealed without a permit. Optional permits are available at 21 and older.
Verified Jul 2, 2026 · Source: lsp.org · Full Louisiana rule →
- New MexicoConditional
A license is required to carry a loaded handgun concealed on your person. New Mexico issues licenses to residents (or stationed military) who are 21 or older. Visitors may carry concealed on a license from a state on New Mexico's list. New Mexico is not permitless for concealed carry. Open carry needs no license.
Verified Oct 12, 2026 · Source: dps.nm.gov · Full New Mexico rule →
- OklahomaPermitted
Oklahoma is a permitless-carry state (also called constitutional carry), so eligible persons 21 and older may carry concealed without a license (or 18 and older for military and veterans). An optional SDA license is available, and the minimum age is 21 (18 for military and veterans).
Verified Jul 6, 2026 · Source: oklahoma.gov · Full Oklahoma rule →
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