Texas State Law Summary

Last updated April 1, 2011

In its publication Gun Laws Matter: A Comparison of State Firearms Laws and Statistics, LCAV ranked each state based on a review of state laws in 25 different firearms-related policy areas. Texas ranked 19th out of 50 – having enacted a modest amount of gun violence prevention laws. Among other things, Texas law does not:

Require a background check prior to the transfer of a firearm between unlicensed individuals;
Require firearms dealers to obtain a state license;

Regulate the transfer or possession of assault weapons, 50 caliber rifles, or large capacity ammunition magazines;
Limit the number of firearms that may be purchased at one time; or
Regulate unsafe handguns (“junk guns” or “Saturday night specials”).

Local governments in Texas generally lack authority to regulate firearms or ammunition, and local law enforcement must issue a concealed handgun permit to any applicant who meets basic qualifications.

In 2007, 2008, and again in 2009, Texas exported the fourth largest number of crime guns among the states. In addition, Texas is consistently the state that supplies the greatest number of crime guns to Mexico. In 2009, 40% of the Mexican crime guns that were traced to the U.S. were originally sold in Texas.

For details about specific firearms laws in Texas, choose a topic below.

Overview

State "Right to Bear Arms"

Statistics

Local Authority to Regulate Firearms

State Firearms Policies