Firearms in Harris County, TX (2026)

3 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 1 city in Harris County, Texas.

Verified from official government sources

Note: These county rules apply to unincorporated areas of Harris County. If you live within an incorporated city, that city's own rules apply: see the city list below.

Concealed Carry

House Bill 1927 (2021) lets most Texans 21 and older carry a handgun concealed without a permit anywhere in Harris County. The optional License to Carry through Texas DPS still provides reciprocity, sensitive-place benefits, and federal background-check shortcuts when buying firearms.

Texas permitless concealed carry applies countywide

Few Restrictions

Texas Penal Code Sec. 46.035 (Unlawful Carrying of Handgun by License Holder)

Sec. 46.035. UNLAWFUL CARRYING OF HANDGUN BY LICENSE HOLDER. (a) A license holder commits an offense if the license holder carries a handgun on or about the license holder's person under the authority of Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, and intentionally displays the handgun in plain view of another person in a public place. It is an exception to the application of this subsection th...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Open Carry

Texas allows open carry of holstered handguns by adults 21 and older without a permit. House Bill 1927 (2021) ended the License to Carry requirement. Long guns may also be openly carried. Harris County adds no local rule; state sensitive-place limits still apply.

Open carry of holstered handguns legal countywide

Few Restrictions

Texas Penal Code Sec. 46.02 (Unlawful Carrying Weapons)

Sec. 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person:(1) intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun;(2) at the time of the offense:(A) is younger than 21 years of age; or(B) has been convicted of an offense under Section 22.01(a)(1), 22.05, 22.07, or 42.01(a)(7) or (8) committed in the five-year period preceding the da...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Firearms in Vehicles

Texas Penal Code section 46.02(a-1), the Motorist Protection Act expanded by HB 1927, lets any adult legally entitled to possess a firearm carry a handgun inside their motor vehicle or watercraft. No permit is required, and the handgun may be loaded.

Motorist Protection Act allows handguns in Harris County vehicles

Few Restrictions

Texas Penal Code Sec. 46.02 (Unlawful Carrying Weapons - Vehicle)

Sec. 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONSGoReset Texas Constitution and Statutes chevron_right Texas Constitution chevron_right Agriculture Code chevron_right Alcoholic Beverage Code chevron_right Auxiliary Water Laws chevron_right Business & Commerce Code chevron_right Business Organizations Code chevron_right Civil Practice and Remedies Code chevron_right Code of Criminal Procedure chevron_right ...

Full ordinance details →Official source ↗

Firearms by City in Harris County

1 cities in Harris County have their own firearms rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.

HoustonPop. 2,304,580

3 verified rules • Concealed Carry, Open Carry

All Harris County ordinances

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