Concealed Carry in Houston (2026): Texas Permitless Carry, METRO, and 30.06 Signs
Texas made permitless carry law in 2021, and Houston can’t write its own gun rules. So carrying in the country’s fourth-largest city mostly comes down to two things: the state’s list of prohibited places, and the specific signs Texas businesses use to keep guns out. Here’s how both work for Houston concealed carry in 2026.
At a glance
| Permit required? | No, for adults 21+ who can legally possess a handgun. The License to Carry (LTC) is optional |
| LTC fee | $40 (discounts for some groups) |
| Out-of-state permits | Honored from every state |
| METRO | Not a prohibited place under state law |
| Tell police you’re armed? | LTC holders must show their license with their ID when an officer asks for identification |
| Last checked | September 2026 |
Legal note
This is general legal education, not legal advice. Carry laws change, often through court rulings, so confirm current law with the official sources listed at the bottom before relying on anything here. Facts on this page were checked against primary sources in September 2026.
Who can carry in Houston
If you’re 21 or older and not barred from having a handgun under state or federal law, you can carry without a license in Texas. In a vehicle, the gun has to be concealed or in a holster (Penal Code § 46.02). You can still get a License to Carry from the Department of Public Safety after a short class and a shooting proficiency test.
Why get the LTC anyway?
- Travel. Reciprocity runs on licenses, and your permitless status doesn’t travel.
- More places. LTC holders get legal defenses for some locations, like hospitals and amusement parks, when the property hasn’t given proper legal notice (Penal Code § 46.15(p)).
- School zones. Federal law’s school-zone exception covers people licensed by the state (18 U.S.C. § 922(q)).
Visitors
Texas honors valid carry licenses from every state, and its permitless carry law covers eligible visitors 21 and older too. See our reciprocity guide.
Where you can’t carry
Texas Penal Code § 46.03 lists the places off-limits to everyone, licensed or not. The ones Houstonians hit most:
- Schools and colleges (with campus carry exceptions for license holders)
- Polling places on election day and during early voting
- Courts and court offices
- Racetracks
- The secure side of Bush Intercontinental and Hobby airports
- Businesses that get 51% or more of their income from on-premises alcohol sales, marked by a red “51%” sign
- High school, college and professional sporting events
- Correctional facilities, civil commitment facilities and mental hospitals
- Hospitals, nursing facilities and large amusement parks (license holders have a defense when proper notice isn’t given)
- Rooms where a government body is holding an open meeting
30.06 and 30.07 signs
Texas is one of the few states where a private “no guns” sign has specific legal wording and real legal force. A 30.06 sign bars concealed carry by license holders, and a 30.07 sign bars open carry by license holders. Both have to use exact statutory language, in English and Spanish, in contrasting colors with one-inch block letters, displayed conspicuously. A generic “no weapons” sticker isn’t the same thing, but it’s still the owner telling you no.
Government property is different. A city agency or other political subdivision can’t post 30.06 or 30.07 signs where state law allows license holders to carry (Government Code § 411.209).
METRO
Public transit isn’t on Texas’ prohibited list, and state law bars political subdivisions from posting signs that claim to ban license holders where state law allows carry. That makes carry on METRO buses and rail legal under state law. Compare other cities in our public transit guide.
If you get stopped
Texas has no general duty to volunteer that you’re armed. License holders who are carrying must show their LTC along with their ID when an officer demands identification (Government Code § 411.205). See our duty to inform guide.
Houston concealed carry gotchas
- Plain view in the car: a handgun in plain view has to be in a holster.
- Game day: sporting events are off-limits under § 46.03, so the stadium parking lot is where the gun stays.
- The red sign: a 51% sign at a bar is a hard no, license or not.
FAQ
Do I need a license to carry in Houston?
Not if you’re 21 or older and legally allowed to have a handgun. The License to Carry is optional but useful.
Can I carry on METRO?
Yes. State law doesn’t prohibit it, and public agencies can’t post signs banning license holders where state law allows carry.
Do 30.06 signs apply to me without a license?
30.06 and 30.07 are written for license holders. Unlicensed carriers are also bound by the owner’s right to exclude them, so treat any posted no-guns sign as a no.
Can I carry into a restaurant that serves alcohol?
Yes, unless it’s a 51% business or the owner posts proper notice. Don’t drink while carrying.
Sources
- Texas Penal Code § 46.03 (places weapons prohibited)
- Texas Penal Code ch. 46, including §§ 46.02 and 46.15
- Texas Government Code § 411.209
- Handgunlaw.us: Texas summary (updated Sept. 11, 2026)
Related guides
Carrying somewhere else? Check the other city guides:
Baltimore · Washington, DC · Philadelphia · New York City · Chicago · Atlanta · Los Angeles
Build a setup that works here
Knowing the law is half of carrying in the city. The other half is a setup that disappears under your normal clothes. Start with our carry clothing guide and our leather vs. Kydex holster comparison.
Carry off-body or haul a laptop to work? Our guide to concealed carry bags and packs for urban use covers packs built for the city, and our urban EDC essentials covers the rest of what rides along. (Quick reminder: every no-carry rule on this page applies to what’s in your bag too.) Want it all in one spot? Browse the gear we recommend in our Urban Carry Shop.
There’s no holy grail setup, and what works for one carrier won’t work for everybody. Learn the rules where you live and travel, find the gear that fits your body and your day, and carry with confidence.