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.

• 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.
• 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.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

So you've signed up for the LTC class, now what? Follow these simple steps to complete the application process and prepare for class.

1. Head to the range to get some practice before taking the timed shooting test in class. Not sure if you are ready to take the shooting test? Consider scheduling an LTC prep lesson. View lesson availability here.

2. Complete the required LTC application online here.*

3. Schedule your required fingerprinting appointment here.*

4. Once you have taken the class and passed both the written and shooting test, all that remains is to submit your class completion certificate (LTC-100 form) online here.

5. Consider signing up for peace of mind and legal protection with US LawShield. With US LawShield An attorney will answer your emergency call ANYTIME.
In your greatest time of need, you’ll have immediate access to an actual attorney when you have an emergency. That’s anytime – even if it’s 3 a.m. on a holiday morning. No answering service, no call center representatives here or overseas. With us, you’ll be talking with an actual attorney who is critically important to you in gaining timely professional advice with attorney-client privilege. Sign up now to join the over 700,000 members strong US LawShield family.

*Completing the LTC application and fingerprinting is not required before your class date. But, completing them before class does streamline the application process.

Cancellation policy:

• Students may reschedule a class, lesson, or event once without losing the registration fee.
• Bookings canceled between 72 and 24 hours may receive a partial 50% refund.
• Bookings canceled within 24 hours or students who no show will not receive a refund.

Refund Policy:

Shoot Smart will issue refunds for unused services within 90 days of purchase, with a receipt or valid customer profile. Gift cards, Lane Bundles, and services that have been canceled or rescheduled are not eligible for a refund.

Credit or Debit refunds must be issued to the original credit or debit card listed on the receipt. If that card is no longer available; credit will be issued to the customer’s MindBody account for the full value of the return. MindBody account credit may be used to purchase other training classes, private lessons, or memberships. MindBody account credit may not be used on in-store merchandise or range time.