Can I have a gun in my car in Texas?
Yes, in general you can have a gun in your car in Texas. To do so you must be able to legally buy, own and posses firearms under state and federal law. Note that this may not apply to other states so be careful when traveling outside of Texas.
WHAT ARE THE FEDERAL GUN LAWS
Federal law prohibits the following nine categories of persons from possessing firearms and ammunition:
- Persons who have been convicted of misdemeanor crimes of domestic violence.
- Persons subject to protective orders and certain other domestic court orders.
- Persons who renounced their U.S. citizenship.
- Persons dishonorably discharged from the U.S. armed forces.
- Illegal aliens or persons with nonimmigrant visas.
- Persons who have been adjudicated as mental defectives, or who have been committed to a mental institution (unless gun rights were restored).
- Persons addicted to or who use controlled substances.
- Fugitives from justice.
- Persons convicted of for a crime punishable by imprisonment for more than one year (unless gun rights were restored) – also, persons with pending felony charges are also prohibited from possessing firearms.
CAN THE GUN BE LOADED
Yes. In Texas the gun can be loaded or unloaded as long as you meet all of the legal requirements above. If the gun is a handgun it must be in a holster by state law (it does not have to be concealed). If the gun is a long gun (rifle), there are no Texas laws saying how it has to be stored in your vehicle. It is never safe to have a rifle loaded while in your vehicle.
Remember that in other states you may not be able to have a loaded gun in your vehicle, we are only talking about Texas law. If traveling in another state you must check that states laws.
GET CERTIFIED TO CARRY
You can carry a handgun in Texas and 37 other states with fewer restrictions with the Texas license to carry. You can get certified for it online by taking our online class.