C
Clarity News Hub

Can you open carry in a bar in Texas?

Author

Emma Payne

Published Jan 21, 2026

The open carry of handguns law allows Texans ages 21 and up to legally tote firearms in public places without a permit, excluding schools, bars, sporting events and federal properties.

Can I carry my gun in a bar in Texas?

Under Texas law you cannot carry a firearm into a bar. You'll know it's a bar because bars are required by the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission to post 51% signs indicating that the establishment derives more than 51% of its revenue through the sale of alcohol for on-site consumption.

Can you drink and open carry in Texas?

You can face criminal charges if you're drunk and carrying a gun in the state of Texas. Although you're not permitted to carry a firearm while intoxicated, you can have a gun in your possession after consuming small amounts of alcohol.

Can you drink and carry a gun in Texas?

According to Texas concealed carry laws, you might be able to have a drink while carrying a concealed weapon in Texas, but you certainly can't be “intoxicated.” If you're at all impaired — and this includes drugs — or if you're above the legal alcohol limit, it is considered illegal to carry a firearm (even if you are ...

Can I carry a gun in a restaurant in Texas?

As of September 1st, 2021, HB 1927 removed the requirement to have a “license to carry” in order to carry a handgun in Texas. However, private properties such as restaurants and businesses can still prohibit the carry of firearms on the property if they choose.

33 related questions found

What is the 51 law in Texas?

Red Handgun Warning Sign

Alcoholic beverage retailers that derive 51% or more of its income from the sale of alcoholic beverages for on-premise consumption must post the red sign. The red sign has 51% in large red letters superimposed over a warning that says possession of a handgun on the premises is unlawful.

Can you carry a knife in a bar in Texas?

A new state law eliminates the category of "illegal knives," effectively expanding knife owners' freedom to carry blades almost anywhere in the state.

Is Pocket carry legal in Texas?

Handguns. People in Texas must carry a handgun in a holster. The holster does not have to be a shoulder or belt holster. Before HB 1927 took effect on September 1st, 2021, people in Texas needed to have a license to carry a handgun and they needed to keep their handgun in a shoulder or belt holster.

Where can I not carry in Texas?

Places You Cannot Carry A Concealed Handgun Even with a Permit

  • Schools.
  • School buses.
  • Polling places.
  • Courts.
  • Court offices.
  • Racetracks.
  • Secured airport areas.
  • Within 1,000 feet of the premises of an execution on the day of execution.

Can you pocket carry in Texas?

Under the new law, a person can carry a handgun either concealed or carried openly in a holster. The measure repealed the requirement that the holster must be a "belt or shoulder" holster, expanding the law to include belly bands, waistband holsters, ankle holsters, pocket holsters, thigh holsters and more.

What is the new alcohol law in Texas?

As of September 1, 2021, House Bill 1518 went into effect allowing grocery stores, convenience stores, and hotels to expand their hours for alcohol sales. People can now purchase beer and wine starting at 10:00 a.m instead of noon Sundays. Monday through Friday sales are allowed from 7:00 a.m. to midnight.

Can you open carry in a liquor store in Texas?

Open carry rules:

One big exception to open carry is any establishment with a Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission permit. "The short version is, if you have a TABC permit, you can't allow people to bring their firearms on to the premises," TABC's Carolyn Beck says.

Can you have a gun around alcohol?

It is almost always a crime to possess a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance. Many states also prohibit people from carrying a firearm into establishments that serve liquor (such as bars and nightclubs), even with a concealed carry permit, and even if you are not drinking.

Can I carry a loaded gun in my car?

Generally, carrying a loaded rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle is illegal. If you do have this license and are carrying a loaded handgun in your car, you must also comply with the following rules. You must carry the handgun on your person. You must be in the vehicle at all times that the handgun is present.

Can I conceal carry in Texas without a permit?

Since Texas has permitless carry, any person 21 years of age and older who can legally possess a firearm under federal and Texas state law may carry a concealed firearm on his or her person without a license or permit.

Can you open carry a rifle in Texas?

A: You can openly carry rifles and shotguns. Yes you can, as of January 1 – 2016, folks can carry a handgun openly or concealed. However, you do have to be licensed. By Texas law, the gun must be carried using a “shoulder or belt holster.” Long arms still do not require a license.

Can you shoot someone for trespassing in Texas?

Texas law states that property owners are able to use force to terminate trespassing or theft if they deem it is necessary; however, force and deadly force are two different actions. Shooting the trespasser is considered deadly force since the bullet can easily end the person's life.

Can you open carry in Kroger in Texas?

“Kroger is respectfully asking that customers no longer openly carry firearms into our stores, other than authorized law enforcement officers,” Jessica Adelman, group vice president of corporate affairs, said in a statement.

Can I conceal carry in Walmart?

No limits on concealed guns

Walmart is not changing its policy on customers carrying concealed guns with permits. "It's not a ban on our part," a Walmart spokesperson told CBS MoneyWatch. Certain state laws "prohibit us from doing a complete ban," even though Walmart stores are private property, the spokesperson added.

Is flashing a gun illegal in Texas?

Brandishing a weapon at someone else is one way to commit a deadly conduct offense, but you can also commit this crime if you fire a weapon. Texas law provides that anyone who fires a weapon in the direction of someone else has also committed deadly conduct.

Are batons illegal in Texas?

​Signed by the Governor, Effective Sept.

H.B. 446 also amends Penal Code 46.05 to remove knuckles from the list of items that are illegal to possess, manufacture, transport, repair, or sell. This means things like nunchucks, tomahawks, and ASP batons will be legal effective September 1, 2019.

Is gun printing illegal in Texas?

Printing is not Illegal. Licensed open carry is now permitted in Texas. Imprinting has never been illegal in Texas, but “intentional failure to conceal” was formerly prohibited, leading to the mistaken impression that imprinting and accidental exposure in Texas (and elsewhere) was illegal.

Can you have brass knuckles in Texas?

On behalf of Granger and Mueller PC posted in Criminal Law on Monday, October 21, 2019. September saw some new laws on the books in Texas, including one that now makes it legal to carry brass knuckles to defend yourself in the event you are in trouble.

Are stilettos illegal in Texas?

1. Daggers, dirks, stilettos, throwing knives, poniards, spears, machetes and Bowie knives are all OK under the new law, as long as you don't bring them to churches, bars, amusement parks, jails, polling places or other spots where they might actually come in handy.

Are double sided blades legal in Texas?

Critics of the bill have cited concerns due to the fact that the new law effectively allows the possession and carrying of full-size swords, daggers, double-edged blades, switchblades, and machetes as long as those in possession do not enter restricted areas.