Why Get An LTC?
You may be asking yourself: “If I am a law-abiding person and I can now carry a handgun without a license, should I get my Texas LTC?” The resounding answer is YES. There are many circumstances where acquiring and renewing your LTC are beneficial and necessary in some instances.
1. Texas Law Gives LTC Holders More Rights. Even with Constitutional Carry, there remain several advantages under state law for individuals carrying LTCs; including reciprocity, being able to carry into some otherwise prohibited locations and expedited firearm purchases.
2. Reciprocity: Texas LTC Out-of-State Recognition Of primary importance to many people is carrying a handgun for self-defense while traveling to other states. Most states will honor a Texas LTC, and several states have permitless carry. However, if you want to lawfully carry your handgun in the following states, you will be required to have an LTC: Alabama, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
3. Federal Gun-Free School Zones Generally, the Federal Gun-Free School Zone Act prohibits carrying a firearm within 1000 feet of a public, parochial, or private elementary, middle, or high school. There are several exceptions to this law; primarily among them is this prohibition does not criminalize the carrying of a firearm by a person who holds a handgun permit or license from the state where the school is located. This means a person who carries an accessible handgun in their vehicle while picking up or dropping off their child without a Texas LTC violates federal law; whereas a Texas LTC holder does not. 18 U.S.C. 922(q).
4. Fast Lane for Firearm Purchases (Avoid Background Check Delay) Generally, every person who purchases a firearm from a Federal Firearms Licensed dealer (“FFL”), is subject to a background check through the National Instant Criminal Check System (“NICS”). This can lead to delays and erroneous denials due to mistaken identity. However, no NICS background check may be required if the transferee is legally exempt for reasons such as possessing a state-issued firearms license like a Texas LTC.
5. School District Employees Who Have an LTC Are Protected If you are an employee of a school district and have been issued a Texas LTC, Texas law protects your right to keep a firearm and ammunition concealed in your locked motor vehicle while it is parked in a school parking lot. In fact, Texas law prevents the school district from imposing any duties, restrictions, or reporting requirements on where or how your firearms and ammunition are stored. However, these protections are not given to employees who do not possess a valid handgun license.
6. LTC Holders Are Entitled to More Notice at Some Prohibited Locations Hospitals, nursing facilities, and amusement parks continue to be statutorily prohibited places for a person carrying a handgun under the authority of Texas Constitutional Carry. However, to enforce this prohibition against license holders, effective Tex. Penal Code Secs. 30.06 and/or 30.07 notice is required. See Tex. Penal Code Sec. 46.15(p) effective September 1st, 2021. Also, open meetings of governmental entities are no longer prohibited to license holders carrying a handgun under the authority of their LTC.
7. The statutory prohibition against carrying a handgun into a bar does not apply to a license holder unless the bar has posted its 51% sign in accordance with the law. See Tex. Penal Code Sec. 46.15(p) effective September 1st, 2021.
Aside from the above reasons. The Texas LTC class teaches students the basics of legally carrying in public, like what locations are prohibited, force vs deadly force when force or deadly force is justified, and much much more. Even if you don't ultimately decide to get an LTC, the information provided in the class is extremely beneficial and could keep you out of a sticky situation.
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