Campus Carry FAQ

Texas Senate Bill 11 (SB 11), referred to as the Campus Carry law, was passed by the Texas Legislature and was signed into law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott on June 1, 2015. The law, which went into effect on August 1, 2016, permits licensed holders to carry a concealed handgun on or about the license holder’s person on public university campuses in Texas.

The law requires university presidents to develop rules for the concealed carrying of a handgun on the campuses of their institutions. In creating these rules, university presidents may consult with students, staff, and faculty, and consider the nature of the student population, specific safety concerns, and the uniqueness of the campus environment. Texas State University’s campus carry rules and policies can be accessed at txstate.edu/campuscarry.

No.

SB 11 mandates that every public university in Texas must implement the Campus Carry law. Only private institutions of higher education were given the option to opt out of the Campus Carry law.

Concealed carry of a handgun means that the handgun cannot be visible, either partially or wholly, and must not be intentionally or knowingly displayed in plain view of another person.

On Texas State University Campuses, a license holder is required to carry a concealed handgun on or about the license holder’s person which means that the handgun must NOT be visible.

The phrase “on or about the license holder’s person” means that the license holder must carry the concealed handgun in a manner such that it must be close enough to the license holder that he or she can grasp it without materially changing position.

A license holder is an individual that holds a valid License To Carry (LTC) that is issued by the State of Texas or recognized by the State of Texas. See link for more information about Texas law and licensing requirements.

Texas House Bill 910 (HB 910), referred to as the open carry law, allows a license holder to visibly carry their handgun in a holstered manner in various locations in the State of Texas. However, the open carry law (HB 910) specifically PROHIBITS open carry of a handgun on the premises of a college campus, including public and private driveways, streets, sidewalks, walkways, parking lots, parking garages, or other parking areas located on a college campus.

Under the campus carry law (SB 11), only the concealed carry of a handgun by license holders is allowed on public university campuses, subject to restrictions imposed by statute and by the University President.

No.

Openly and visibly carrying a firearm or illegal weapon on Texas State University Campuses remains PROHIBITED.

The open carry law (HB 910) specifically prohibits open carry on the premises of a college campus, or on public and private driveways, streets, sidewalks, walkways, parking lots, parking garages, or other parking areas on a college campus.

A license holder is required to take reasonable measures to conceal the handgun. For example, if a person’s coat opens in the act of raising his/her arm to ask a question and a gun can be seen, such an accidental act may not be considered a violation. However, if a person takes a gun out of concealment or otherwise displays/brandishes their weapon, it is a violation. Regardless, if a handgun is visible, immediately call the police at “911” and allow the University Police Department to determine if a violation has occurred.

No.

SB 11 authorizes concealed carry by license holders only. License holders include people who have received the state-mandated training and met the other statutory requirements for a License To Carry a Handgun (LTC).

To obtain a license, a person must be 21 years of age (with the exception of active duty military and police officers); meet state and federal qualifications to own a handgun; and receive LTC training from a certified instructor for the Department of Public Safety.

Maybe.

A large number of states have reciprocity with Texas. However, while at Texas State, those license holders must follow Texas Law. Check the Texas Department of Public Safety's Agreements with Other States site to see if your state is on the list.

Yes.

The best course of action is to call the University Police Department by dialing “911.” They will respond and make contact with an individual to determine if that person has a License to Carry (LTC) and is appropriately carrying the weapon in compliance with all applicable laws and University policies.

All license holders are required to carry their license/permit on their person if they are also carrying their weapon.

Yes.

Please see the full list of locations where the concealed carrying of a handgun is PROHIBITED on Texas State University Campuses.

Below is a quick reference listing of the designated gun-free zones on Texas State University Campuses:

• PREMISES PROVIDING SERVICES OR EVENTS FOR MINOR CHILDREN including the Child Development Center (CDC), Clinic for Autism Research Evaluation and Support (CARES), Assessment and Counseling Clinic (ACC), Speech-Language-Hearing and Physical Therapy Clinics, and locations used for Pre-K through Grade 12 summer session activities and camps. Please note that events for minor children including, but not limited to public and private school activities and events, are often held in various locations on both the San Marcos and Round Rock Campuses and under Texas law, the carrying of a handgun to said events and activities is prohibited. Examples of such locations include The Meadows Center for Water and the Environment and the Freeman Aquatic Biology Building.
• PREMISES IN PREMISES PROVIDING HEALTH SERVICES
• PREMISES USED FOR DISCIPLINARY, LEGAL COMPLIANCE, AND COUNSELING including the 5th Floor of the LBJ Student Center, Counseling Centers, and any location when used for disciplinary matters, legal and quasi-judicial matters, and legal compliance. Please note that there are many locations on campus that may from time to time be gun-free zones when those locations are being used for disciplinary matters, legal and quasi-judicial matters, and legal compliance in those circumstances temporary signage will designate the location as a gun-free area.
• PREMISES WHEN USED FOR COMPETITIVE SPORTING AND UIL EVENTS including Strahan Coliseum, Bobcat Stadium, Bobcat Baseball and Softball Complex, Track and Field Stadium, and other locations when used for NCAA or UIL events.
• PREMISES USED FOR OFFICIAL RESIDENCE OR GOVERNMENTAL EVENTS including the University President’s House and grounds, polling location in the LBJ Student Center when used for that purpose, and the location of governmental meetings. 

No.

The University does NOT provide handgun storage for license holders on campus. It is the individual responsibility of the license holder to properly store and secure the handgun in a safe manner. See information at this link to understand responsibilities of license holders in this regard.

No.

However, if an employee or vendor must enter a gun-free zone to accomplish their work, that employee or vendor may NOT carry a concealed handgun while in those designated gun-free areas.

No.

Only a magistrate or a police officer is authorized to ask a student, faculty member, staff employee, or guest on campus if he or she is carrying a concealed handgun, and/or if he or she has a valid license to carry a handgun.

No.

A license holder is not required to disclose that he or she 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.

No.

Classrooms, laboratories, and private offices are not designated gun-free zones.

Yes.

The following is the suggested language to use in the course syllabus: “Effective August 1, 2016, concealed carry of a handgun by license holders is allowed on Texas public university campuses subject to the restrictions imposed by statutes and by the University President. Concealed carry is prohibited in some buildings on Texas State University Campuses. Please see txstate.edu/campuscarry.”

No, unless the private office is located in a designated gun-free zone. Faculty and Staff private offices are generally not located in a designated gun-free zone.

No.

There is no publicly accessible list of the individuals in Texas who are valid license holders.

Yes, if they comply with all university policies including those outlined in the Student Rights and Responsibilities guide.

However, the majority of students who live in University housing will not be license holders, since most dormitory residents do not meet the age eligibility standard required to be a license holder.

Please note that dormitories are not designated gun-free zones except those dormitories that are used during summer sessions in connection with summer camps and activities for minor children.

During the time periods that specific dormitories are used for summer camps and activities, the concealed carry of a handgun by residents and guests is PROHIBITED. During those time periods and in those locations, temporary signage will indicate that the concealed carry of a handgun is prohibited.

No.

When on-campus University housing (dormitories and residence halls) are used during summer sessions in connection with summer camps and activities for minor children, said locations are designated gun-free zones.

During the time periods that specific dormitories and residence halls are used for summer camps and activities, the concealed carry of a handgun by residents, visitors, and guests is PROHIBITED. During those time periods and in those locations, temporary signage will indicate that the concealed carry of a handgun is prohibited.

No.

The University does NOT provide handgun storage for license holders on campus. It is the individual responsibility of the license holder to properly store and secure their handgun in a safe manner.

See information at this link to understand responsibilities of license holders in this regard.

No.

Under the campus carry law (SB 11), no person has a duty to either carry a concealed handgun or use a concealed handgun to protect anyone. If an emergency situation arises on campus, in or out of the classroom, the University Police Department should be called immediately, and standard response protocol should be followed.

All classrooms have written instructions located on the wall next to a door that list steps to follow in specific emergency scenarios, and the University Police Department has a webpage dedicated to emergency procedures.

All individuals must immediately take steps to protect themselves from harm and call “911.”

All classrooms have written instructions located on the wall next to a door that list steps to follow in specific emergency scenarios, including instructions regarding “Active Shooter Emergency Response,” and the University Police Department has a webpage dedicated to emergency procedures.

If on-campus, individuals must immediately take steps to protect themselves from harm.

All classrooms have written instructions located on the wall next to a door that list steps to follow in specific emergency scenarios, including instructions regarding “Active Shooter Emergency Response,” and the University Police Department has a webpage dedicated to emergency procedures.

If off-campus, individuals should NOT come to campus during a lockdown situation even if that means a student or faculty member will miss class, appointments, or office hours.

You should familiarize yourself with the applicable Texas statutes pertaining to use of a concealed handgun. The license holder is solely responsible for his/her decision on whether to use a concealed handgun. The license holder is NOT an authorized agent of the University and the University in no way sanctions any decision on when to use a handgun by the license holder.

It is a criminal act to exhibit threatening behavior with a gun, regardless of the individual’s handgun permit status. When a crime is committed on campus, University Police Department officers will respond and take appropriate action.

Yes. The following universal language should be used university wide to provide general notice to the public:

• General Notice Language to Use on Unit Websites, Brochures, Programs, Tickets, Campus Parking Map, etc.:
  • “Effective August 1, 2016, concealed carry of a handgun by license holders is allowed on Texas public university campuses subject to the restrictions imposed by statutes and by the University President. Concealed carry is prohibited in some buildings on Texas State University Campuses. Please see txstate.edu/campuscarry.”
• Optional “Additional” Notice Language to be used by Units that are designated as Permanent Gun-Free Zone:
  • “Concealed carry is prohibited in (specify room, floor, or unit).”
• General Notice Language to Use When a Unit Often Has Events on Its Premises Where Texas Law May Prohibit the Concealed Carrying of a Handgun (including events for minor children and Pre-K through 12 public and private school events.):
  • “Notice to LTC holders: Events are conducted on these premises including events involving minor children and Pre-K through 12 public and private school events. Under Texas law, the concealed carrying of a handgun may be prohibited at some or all of these events."

A state employee acting within the course and scope of their employment, reasonably, and in good faith, is provided immunity under Texas law. Specific immunity is provided under the campus carry law (SB 11) for state employees including student, faculty, and staff employees.

Yes.

Under University rules, concealed carry is prohibited in premises used for disciplinary matters, legal and quasi-judicial matters, legal compliance, and counseling. Those permanent gun-free locations include: (a) the 5th floor of the LBJ Student Center including the Texas State Counseling Center and (b) the Counseling Center housed within the Student Health Center located in the Nursing Building on the Round Rock Campus.

Additionally, other locations on campus may be used from time to time for disciplinary matters. When any location is being used for disciplinary matters, it is a designated gun-free zone and in those circumstances temporary signage will designate the location as such. Meeting organizers should contact supervisors in advance of the meeting to obtain temporary signage. Generally, the participants of those meetings will receive advance notice of the gun-free zone meeting location in the communication that announces and precedes the meeting. 

Yes.

At the discretion of the University President, concealed carry of a handgun by a license holder may be prohibited on other Texas State University premises associated with temporary events involving safety considerations. See txstate.edu/campuscarry.

The process that must be followed to request that a temporary gun-free zone be created is described in UPPS 01.04.45.

Yes. During new faculty, staff, and student orientation sessions, the University provides information and training regarding how to deal with active shooter situations.

All classrooms have written instructions located on the wall next to a door that list steps to follow in specific emergency scenarios, including instructions regarding “Active Shooter Emergency Response,” and the University Police Department has a webpage dedicated to emergency procedures.

Education and training opportunities are provided to faculty, staff, and students through the Organizational Development and Communications.

The University Police Department has a webpage dedicated to emergency procedures.

If you have a concern about the implementation of the Campus Carry law (SB 11) on Texas State University Campuses, please tell your direct supervisor or the Vice President for University Administration.

If you have a concern about the actual law passed by the Texas legislature, you should contact your elected legislative representative.