In accordance with state law, the unlicensed carrying of firearms is prohibited on the campus of public university. HB 1927 - 87(R) also amended the Texas Penal Code section 30.05 (Criminal Trespass)
In accordance with state law, the licensed carry of concealed handguns will be allowed at Texas A&M International University beginning on August 1, 2016. The following exceptions were reviewed by the Texas A&M System Office of General Counsel, approved by the Chancellor for submission to the Board, and were considered and accepted by the Texas A&M System Board of Regents on February 6, 2020.
[Note: This is not intended to be a complete listing of all laws applicable to the carrying of handguns in the State of Texas. It is intended to highlight the provisions applicable to carrying a handgun on the campus of Texas A&M International University.]
Yes if a:
The safest course of action is to call the University Police Department by dialing 2911. They will respond and make contact with the individual to determine if that person is an authorized license holder and is legitimately carrying a firearm.
3rd degree felony (Places Weapons Prohibited – Texas Penal Code §46.03) if carry a handgun on:
Having a concealed handgun license (CHL) is not a defense to prosecution for any of the above.
In general, individuals are eligible for licenses to carry concealed handguns, if they:
Full eligibility requirements are explained in Texas Government Code § 411.172.
Current law allows concealed handgun license (CHL) holders to carry a concealed handgun on a university campus only in parking lots, parking garages, driveways, streets, sidewalk or walkway and other outdoor areas.
Beginning August 1, 2016, public four year universities must allow concealed carry of handguns in buildings by handgun license holders. Universities will be allowed to designate certain areas on campus where carrying of concealed handguns by license holders is prohibited, subject to system and legislative review.
See answer to question 7 above (What are the requirements to obtain a concealed handgun license in Texas?)
August 1, 2016 for public four-year universities. September 1, 2017 for two-year public colleges.
As of December 31, 2014, the Texas Department of Public Safety reported that there were 825,957 active concealed handgun license holders. The population of Texas was 26.96 million in 2014; 2.7% held a CHL.
Reports and statistics for concealed handgun licenses can be found on the Texas Department of Public Safety website under Concealed Handgun > Reports and Statistics > Demographics.
On June 13, 2015, Governor Abbott also signed into law House Bill 910. This law permits handgun license holders to openly carry (no duty to conceal) a handgun in areas where it is not prohibited by law. This law becomes effective on January 1, 2016.
No. HB 910, the open carry law effective January 1, 2016, provides a handgun license holder cannot carry a partially or wholly visible handgun, regardless if it is holstered, and intentionally or knowingly display the handgun in plain view of another person on the premises [building] of a university, or any driveway, street, or parking area of a university.
The President, after consulting with students, faculty, and staff regarding the nature of the student population, specific safety considerations, and the uniqueness of the campus environment, shall establish reasonable rules regarding the carrying of concealed handguns by license holders on campus. The President may amend the rules as necessary for campus safety.
The law allows a university to make rules concerning the storage of handguns in dormitories or other residential facilities that are on campus and owned by the university, or on campus and leased and operated by the university.
Not later than 90 days after the President’s rules are established, the Board of Regents shall review the rules. The rules may be amended by a vote of not less than two-thirds of the Board. If amended by the Board, the amended rules shall constitute the university’s rules.
The rules shall be widely distributed, including posting to the university’s website. Effective notice under Texas Penal Code §30.06 must be provided for any portion of a premise where a license holder may not carry.
Not later than September 1 of even-numbered years, each university shall report to the legislature its concealed carry rules and explain the reasons the university established the rules.
No. Effective August 1, 2016, concealed carry is allowed on university campuses, including all offices, classrooms, and laboratories by anyone holding a valid handgun license, unless carrying a handgun is prohibited by state law, federal law, or university rules. SB 273 prohibits the university and its employees from imposing restrictions greater than those imposed by law. Violations of SB 273 can result in a fine to the university as high as $10,500 per day.
No. Carrying a concealed handgun is only legal if an individual has a handgun license. State law does permit those without a handgun license to carry a handgun in their vehicle if the handgun is concealed and the person can legally possess a firearm. See Texas Penal Code 46.02(a)(2).
If the person is a student, faculty member, or staff member they can be sanctioned according to the rules applicable to their status. It may also be a violation of the criminal law. The offense can be a misdemeanor or a felony, depending on where the handgun was carried.
No. To obtain a Texas Concealed Handgun License you must be qualified under state and federal law to purchase a handgun. See Texas Government Code 411.172. An international student here on a student visa is prohibited under federal law from purchasing or possessing a firearm or ammunition unless they meet certain exceptions; for example, they are admitted to the U.S. for lawful hunting or sporting purposes. There are other exceptions. See 18 U.S.C. 922(g)(5)(B) and 922(y)(2) (text of the code and legal opinions provided by the Cornell University Law School, Ithaca, New York).
No. Undocumented students are not legal residents of the state. To obtain a CHL, a person must be a legal resident of the state for a 6-month period preceding the date of the application.
Yes. The license holder shall display both the license holder's driver's license or identification certificate issued by DPS, and the license holder's handgun license. Texas Government Code § 411.205.
No. A handgun license holder is not required to disclose he has a license to anyone except a magistrate or peace officer. A person engaged in lawful activity (i.e., applying for and obtaining a handgun license) is not required to provide information to any person, including a university official, about their personal choices, beliefs, or practices.
See answer to question 7 above.
There are 42 states that have a reciprocity agreement with Texas.
When in Texas, license holders from other states must follow Texas gun laws, not their home state’s gun laws.
Illinois, Maine, Minnesota, New Hampshire, Oregon, Vermont, and Wisconsin.
It is a violation of criminal law if a child (person younger than 17) gains access to a readily dischargeable firearm and the person with criminal negligence failed to secure the firearm; or left the firearm in a place to which the person knew or should have known the child would gain access. (Texas Penal Code §46.13). It is an affirmative defense to prosecution that the child's access to the firearm was supervised by a person older than 18 years of age and was for hunting, sporting, or other lawful purposes; or that access was gained by the child trespassing on the firearm owner’s property. (Texas Penal Code §46.13).
It is not a violation of Texas law for a handgun owner to permit an adult to gain access to a handgun, provided no other laws regarding the use or possession of a handgun are violated.
No. Courses are available locally from various gun shops, sporting goods stores, and individuals licensed as a Qualified Handgun Instructor.
No.
Additional information on Campus Carry and the TAMIU Campus Carry Task Force is found below.
| CURRENT LAW | AUGUST 1, 2016 |
|---|---|
| Type of License: Concealed Handgun License (CHL) | Type of License: Handgun License |
| A CHL holder can carry a concealed handgun on campus on a public or private driveway, street, sidewalk or walkway, parking lot, parking garage, or other parking area. | A handgun license holder can now also carry a concealed handgun anywhere on a university campus, including in buildings, unless prohibited by state or federal law, or university rule. |
