Texas-Book-Gun Law Armed And Educated - Flipbook - Page 261
LTC that often depend on one’s lifestyle. These advantages come
in many forms, but some of the biggest perks for an LTC holder
include reciprocity with other states, ease in facilitating firearm
transactions, and a heightened signage requirement for exclusion at
an otherwise lawful location under Texas law.
A. Reciprocity with other states
Every state has the authority to determine whether or not their state
will recognize a license or permit to carry a handgun issued by
another state. Reciprocity is when states enter into an agreement
with each other to recognize each other’s carry licenses. However,
states are not required to have reciprocity with one another, nor are
they required to recognize another state’s carry license. There are
many states that issue their own licenses and refuse to recognize a
carry license from another state. Conversely, there are states that
choose to recognize some or all other states’ carry licenses. Texas
gives the governor authority to negotiate (with the assistance of
the attorney general) reciprocity agreements with other states or to
issue proclamations which will unilaterally recognize other states’
carry licenses. Since each state is allowed to choose what other
states’ carry license will be recognized, there are several states that
have carry licenses that Texas recognizes, but those states do not
recognize a license to carry from Texas. There are also states that
recognize a Texas LTC, but Texas does not recognize their license.
In short, out-of-state recognition of a license or permit is of the
utmost importance to many people. And, unless a state has
permitless carry open to non-residents, generally, a person can only
legally carry a handgun for self-defense through reciprocity while
traveling in a different state.
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