New TX Gun Laws as of September 1, 2019
Texas has passed more than 800 new laws that have gone into effect as of Sunday, September 1, 2019.
Granted, you might never know about some — and you might never need to know about them.
People under 21, for instance, will no longer be able to buy tobacco products, including cigarettes and e-cigarettes. And those under 18 will no longer be able to buy cough syrup if it contains a certain ingredient some teens use to get high.
Nearly 1 million Texans will be able to get their driver’s licenses back when the state’s driver responsibility program ends.
At the same time, gun owners will be able to carry their weapons in more places, and anyone who owns tomahawks, brass knuckles and security keychains will be able to legally carry them.
And lemonade stands, once and for all, will be legal for kids to operate.
“Many Texans will learn about changes to laws that affect them the old fashioned way — by experiencing it,†said Brandon Rottinghaus, a political science professor at the University of Houston. “At this point, Texans are more concerned with back-to-school activities than when laws passed months ago actually go into effect.â€
The new measures are among the hundreds of new laws the Texas Legislature passed earlier this year with Gov. Greg Abbott’s approval. Some laws, such as banning red light cameras, already have gone into effect.
New Laws For Texas Gun Owners
Before the Odessa and El Paso mass shootings this year, lawmakers passed several new laws expanding where, when and how Texans can carry firearms.
Now, anyone who can legally own a handgun will be able to carry it on their person for a full week after a natural disaster is declared. At all other times, only those with a special license to carry, which requires firearms training and a background check, can legally tote pistols.
It will also be legal to carry a gun into a house of worship unless expressly forbidden by the faith leadership, a change made in response to the 2017 mass shooting at the First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs. Finally, lawmakers lifted the cap on the number of trained employees, known as “school marshals,” who are allowed to have guns on K-12 campuses.
Several new laws relating to firearms were passed in the 86th Texas Legislature (2019).
Note: Each of the new laws listed below will take effect on Sept. 1, 2019.
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Provides a defense for License To Carry holders who unknowingly enter establishments that prohibit guns with signage if the LTC holder promptly leaves the property after being asked.
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Prohibits residential lease agreements from restricting the possession of firearms by residents or their guests.
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Updates the Texas Education Code to prevent school districts from regulating the manner in which a licensed person’s handgun, firearm, or ammunition is stored in their vehicle in a school parking area.
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HB 1177 — Relating to carrying a handgun during a state of disaster.
Prevents citizens from being charged with a crime for carrying a handgun without a License To Carry while evacuating from a declared state or local disaster area, or while returning to that area. Also gives disaster shelters the option to accommodate evacuees with firearms. -
Loosens restrictions on how many armed school marshals a school district or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school may appoint.
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Updates language in the Texas Government Code related to the carrying of firearms on property owned or leased by a government entity.
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Updates specifications for how foster parents may store their firearms in a foster home.
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Clarifies the Texas Penal Code to make it clear that places of worship are to be treated the same as other private property when determining whether a license holder may carry on premises.
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SB 741 — Relating to restrictive covenants regarding firearms or firearm ammunition.
Prohibits a property owners association from prohibiting or restricting the possession, transportation, or storage of a firearm or ammunition. Also prohibits restrictions on the lawful discharge of a firearm.
Original Story From: Dallas Morning News
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The License To Carry formerly known as a Concealed Handgun License is commonly referred to as a gun permit, concealed carry license, CCW, concealed carry, handgun license, handgun permit was changed to License To Carry on January 1,2016.
There are many myths out there about handguns and the LICENSE TO CARRY, our job is tell you what the laws and facts are and put any myths to rest during class, so you know the truth. We believe in paying special attention to handgun safety and Situational Awareness, to help teach students how to avoid situations.
Be sure to visit our class schedule page to sign up for our next license to carry class.
For questions please feel free to contact us at 817-247-2990.