Does My Handgun Have to Be Visible when I Open Carry?

Texas law permits gun owners to carry their firearms in public as long as they have licenses and store the guns safely and securely. You don’t have to conceal your pistol unless you want to. Likewise, you have the choice to make it visible. If you open carry a gun in Texas, there are some essential things to consider, especially when the firearm is visible. The firearms experts from Online Texas LTC, your top choice for Texas online concealed carry classes, explain.

Open Carry

If you decide to conceal your gun, make sure it’s stored properly to prevent negligent discharge and injuries to yourself and others. However, you have the option to open carry your gun, making it visible to other people. The places you enter will determine if the firearm must be visible, so make sure to study the laws and learn more about where firearms are legally permitted before carrying the gun in public. For instance, some airport areas don’t allow guns, so you should avoid taking your pistol to these locations.

Partially Visible

As long as you’re utilizing a proper method of open carry, such as a belt or shoulder holster it doesn’t matter if the gun is hidden, visible, or partially visible. Regardless of how visible the gun is, a license to carry is still required. It would be best if you learned as much as possible about firearms laws in the state, which can be done by taking an online license to carry class.

Actions to Avoid

Carrying a gun in Texas is legal as long as you meet specific requirements and have registered with the state for an LTC. Keep in mind specific actions could cause other citizens to report you to the police. For example, you should never go into a store waving your firearm or carry the handgun while intoxicated or under the influence of prescription drugs or narcotics. Neither of these examples are legal in the state of Texas. Don’t remove the pistol from its secured holster unless your life is being threatened and you can prove this claim in a court of law. Walking into a school with a firearm is also illegal. You should refrain from engaging in unusual or illicit activities that could cause suspicion or lead to a potential arrest.

Learn More about Your Rights as a Gun Owner

Failing to follow basic gun safety laws could lead to fines or jail time and cause you to lose your gun license. When you sign up for a license to carry class, you can learn more about Texas gun laws and how to avoid various issues in addition to learning safety tips that protect you, your family, and others. While taking the classes, you can also learn more about firearms in general, allowing you to get the most out of gun ownership. This includes shooting fundamentals and firearm functions. Taking the class online offers more flexibility without reducing the quality of the information. 

If you’re carrying a firearm in Texas, it’s essential to make sure you learn how to do it safely and follow all the applicable laws. Online Texas LTC is committed to providing the best firearms training available. Whether you want to take a Texas online LTC class to get your carry permit or you simply want to learn how to shoot and handle a gun safely, Online Texas LTC has exactly what you need. Give us a call today at 512-675-2124.

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